English Syntax
--- ---
MODULE 2
Sentence structure: Functions
Instructor: Lam Hoang Phuc
2.1. Subject and predicate
▪ A sentence is divided into two constituents:
o Subject: normally used to mentioned something.
o Predicate: used to say something about the subject.
▪ E.g. [The ducks] + [are paddling away].
subject predicate
▪ We can use the Question test to check whether a phrase
is the subject: the subject is the phrase that changes
position in ‘yes/no’ questions.
E.g.
the ducks is indeed the subject of the sentence since it
changes position in ‘yes/no’ questions.
2.1. Subject and predicate
▪ The test is useful when the subject is an expletive (i.e.
empty).
▪ E.g.
Although there doesn’t refer to anything, it’s nevertheless
the subject since it changes position in Y-N questions.
▪ The test also helps us avoid the temptation of taking the
first string of words that could be a subject as actually
being the subject of the sentence.
E.g. in the sentence
John and Mark are rowing on the river.
The subject is John and Mark since the well-formed question
is Are John and Mark rowing on the river?
2.1. Subject and predicate
▪ In some cases, the appropriate Y-N questions are formed
introducing a form of the verb do.
E.g. My new duck lays lightly boiled eggs.
My new duck does lay lightly boiled eggs.
2.2. Noun Phrase and Verb Phrase
▪ Any phrase that can function as a predicate is a Verb
Phrase.
▪ Any phrase that can function as a subject is a Noun
Phrase.
▪ It is necessary to distinguish between category and
function since most categories of phrase have a variety of
different functions.
Although we’re assuming subjects are always Noun
Phrases, this doesn’t mean all Noun Phrases function as
subject.
E.g. the Noun Phrase the chiropodist does not function as
subject in the sentence:
The pianist has rejected the chiropodist.
2.2. Noun Phrase and Verb Phrase
▪ We can include information about the categories of the
immediate constituents of a sentence in a phrase marker,
by labelling the appropriate nodes.
▪ E.g.
▪ The subject of a sentence is the NP immediately
dominated by S. The predicate of a sentence is the VP
immediately dominated by S.
2.2. Noun Phrase and Verb Phrase
▪ A specification of the functions of the constituents is not
strictly part of the phrase marker, and is not normally
included. Therefore, phrase markers are normally
presented as follows:
2.3. Dependency and function
▪ When two constituent nodes are immediately dominated
by the same single node, as is the case with B and C
above, they are said to be sisters. Both of them are the
daughters of A, the node that immediately dominates
them. And A is the mother of B and C.
▪ Constituents always have their functions in respect of
their sister constituents.
▪ Subject and predicate are dependent on each other
(mutually dependent). They are both obligatory in the
structure of sentences.
2.3. Dependency and function
1. Head
o The head of a phrase is the element that the phrase is
centred on. It is the one essential – obligatory –
element in that phrase.
o Everything else in the phrase revolves around and
depends on the head.
It’s the category of the head of a phrase that
determines the category of the phrase.
E.g. the head of a noun phrase white car is the noun car.
o In a given phrase, there can only be one head
2.3. Dependency and function
2. The modifier~head relation
o Modification: in the structure of a phrase, modifiers
are optional; the head is the obligatory element.
one-way function/dependency (the modifier is
dependent on the head but not vice versa).
E.g. in the adjective phrase rather large, rather is
dependent on the head adjective large.
2.3. Dependency and function
2. The modifier~head relation
o Phrases – as well as words – can function as heads and
as modifiers.
E.g.
2.3. Dependency and function
3. The head~complement relation
o Complementation: When a head demands a further
expression, that further (obligatory) expression is said
to complement the head.
two-way dependency (the head and the complement
are dependent on each other).
o Example of complementation:
REFERENCES
Burton-Roberts, N. (2016). Analysing sentences: An
introduction to English syntax (4th ed.). Oxfordshire:
Routledge.