Syntax Slides PDF

SYNTAX: HEADS AND PHRASES INTRODUCTION TO SYNTAX Syntax is the study of sentence structure, focusing on how words combine to form phrases and sentences. It examines the rules governing the structure and organization of language. Example: "The cat sat on the mat" consists of a subject (The...

SYNTAX: HEADS AND PHRASES INTRODUCTION TO SYNTAX Syntax is the study of sentence structure, focusing on how words combine to form phrases and sentences. It examines the rules governing the structure and organization of language. Example: "The cat sat on the mat" consists of a subject (The cat), a predicate (sat on the mat), and smaller phrases.  The study of rules of ordering components in phrases and sentences This system of rules is called Syntax syntax. For example: we know that words must be organised in a certain order in the sentences.  PHRASES AND CONSTITUENTS A phrase is a group of words that function as a unit within a sentence. Constituents are the building blocks of syntax, identifiable through substitution and movement tests. Example: Phrase: "on the mat" (a prepositional phrase). Substitution Test: Replace "on the mat" with "there" → "The cat sat there."  ▪ Definite article : the ▪ Indefinite articles : a, an Determiners ▪ Demonstratives: this, that, these, those are words placed in front ▪ Quantifiers : a few, a little, much, many, a lot of, most, some, any, enough of a noun to make it clear ▪ Numbers : one, ten, thirty what the noun ▪ Distributives : all, both, half, either, neither, each, every refers to. ▪ Difference words : other, another ▪ Pre-determiners : such, what, rather, quite Exercise 1: Identifying Phrases Directions: Identify the type of phrase in each sentence (e.g., Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, Prepositional Phrase, etc.). 1.The big dog barked loudly. 2.She ran to the store. 3.Under the table, there was a box. 4.The professor gave a lecture. 5.They are playing soccer in the park. Answers: 1.The big dog → Noun Phrase (NP) barked loudly → Verb Phrase (VP) 2.She → Noun Phrase (NP) ran to the store → Verb Phrase (VP) to the store → Prepositional Phrase (PP) 3.Under the table → Prepositional Phrase (PP) there → Noun Phrase (NP) was a box → Verb Phrase (VP) 4.The professor → Noun Phrase (NP) gave a lecture → Verb Phrase (VP) a lecture → Noun Phrase (NP) 5.They → Noun Phrase (NP) are playing soccer in the park → Verb Phrase (VP) in the park → Prepositional Phrase (PP)  Exercise 2: Substitution Test Directions: Use the substitution test to identify phrases in the following sentences. Replace phrases with a single word or pronoun. 1.The boy with the blue hat is running fast. 2.We saw a beautiful painting in the museum. 3.The cat under the bed hissed loudly. 4.She bought a new car for her sister. 5.He wrote a letter to the principal. Answers: 1.Substitute The boy with the blue hat with He: He is running fast. → The boy with the blue hat is a Noun Phrase (NP). 2.Substitute a beautiful painting with it: We saw it in the museum. → a beautiful painting is a Noun Phrase (NP). 3.Substitute The cat under the bed with It: It hissed loudly. → The cat under the bed is a Noun Phrase (NP). 4.Substitute a new car for her sister with it: She bought it. → a new car for her sister is a Noun Phrase (NP). 5.Substitute a letter to the principal with it: He wrote it. → a letter to the principal is a Noun Phrase (NP).  HEADS OF PHRASES Every phrase has a "head," - the central word that determines its category (syntactic type) and meaning. Other elements in the phrase modify or complement the head. Example: NP - "The fluffy cat," the head is "cat." VP - "is running," the head is "running." Exercise 1: Identifying the Head of a Phrase Directions: Identify the head of the phrase in each example. 1.The tall boy in the blue shirt. 2.Is singing beautifully. 3.Extremely happy about the result. 4.The book on the table. 5.Walking quickly to the station. Answers: 1.Head: boy (Noun Phrase) 2.Head: singing (Verb Phrase) 3.Head: happy (Adjective Phrase) 4.Head: book (Noun Phrase) 5.Head: walking (Verb Phrase) Exercise 2: Matching Heads with Modifiers Directions: Match the heads of phrases in Column A with their modifiers or complements in Column B. Column A (Heads) Column B (Modifiers/Complements) 1. cat a. on the floor 2. studying b. with long legs 3. house c. in the library 4. happy d. that we just bought 5. girl e. about her results Answers: 1. cat → on the floor 2. studying → in the library 3. house → that we just bought 4. happy → about her results 5. girl → with long legs Exercise 3: Determining Phrase Categories Directions: Determine the category of the phrase (e.g., Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, etc.) and identify the head in the following sentences. 1. The tiny bird flew away. 2. She is writing a letter to her friend. 3. The building near the park is under construction. 4. Very excited about the vacation. 5. Driving a fast car on the highway. Answers: 1. Phrase Category: Noun Phrase (NP) → Head: bird 2. Phrase Category: Verb Phrase (VP) → Head: writing 3. Phrase Category: Noun Phrase (NP) → Head: building 4. Phrase Category: Adjective Phrase (AdjP) → Head: excited 5. Phrase Category: Verb Phrase (VP) → Head: driving Exercise 4: Expanding Phrases Directions: Expand the following heads into full phrases by adding modifiers or complements. 1. Head: dog → Expanded Phrase: __________ 2. Head: running → Expanded Phrase: __________ 3. Head: book → Expanded Phrase: __________ 4. Head: angry → Expanded Phrase: __________ 5. Head: under → Expanded Phrase: __________ Sample Answers: 1. Head: dog → The big dog in the backyard 2. Head: running → Running swiftly towards the finish line 3. Head: book → The interesting book on the shelf 4. Head: angry → Extremely angry about the delay 5. Head: under → Under the old wooden table  PHRASE TYPES There are five main phrase types: 1.Noun Phrase (NP): Centered on a noun. NP: "The tall building" 2.Verb Phrase (VP): Centered on a verb. "is swimming fast" 3.Adjective Phrase (AdjP): Centered on an adjective. “These delicious mangoes “ 4.Adverb Phrase (AdvP): Centered on an adverb. “Very happily eating “ 5.Prepositional Phrase (PP): Centered on a preposition. Modifiers and Complements Modifiers: Optional elements that provide additional information about the head. Modifier: "The fluffy cat" Complements: Required elements that complete the meaning of the head. Complement: "She relies on him." PHRASE STRUCTURE RULES : BUILDING PHRASES WITH STRUCTURE RULES Phrase structure rules describe the hierarchical organization of phrases, specifying how constituents combine. General format: XP → (Specifier) X (Complement). Example: Noun Phrase: NP → (Det) N (PP) "The cat on the mat." S -> NP(Aux)VP NP -> (Det) (Adj) N (PP) THE (BEAUTIFUL) STARS (ON THE SKY PP) Six houses, all dogs, few people, these mangoes, that runner VP -> V (XP) = XP can refers to (NP) (PP) (AdvP) (AdjP) has eaten, will eat, eat, found Has eaten (rice) (in the bowl) (graciously) Pg 219 Denham and Lobeck