Expressions

Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

1. CONSTITUENTS OF THE SENTENCE

Noun group Linguistic unit whose main constituent is a

name or pronoun. It can be constituted:

only by the core

Coimbra is a Portuguese city.

• specified nucleus determined by determinants and/or

quantifiers
All men seek happiness.

•by the nucleus with its complements and/or

modifiers
My father's car is blue.
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Syntax I–sentence constituents and syntactic functions

Adjectival group Linguistic unit that has as its core a

Adjective. It can be constituted:

only by the adjective

I like soft music.

by the adjective with its modifiers and

complements (prepositional phrases, clauses)
substantive completive clauses, adverbial clauses
comparative or consecutive
We are happy with the recent events.
The day was so hectic that I need some silence.

by the adjective and by adverbs

This work is becoming very exciting.
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

Verbal group Linguistic unit that has as its constituent

main verb (or verbal complex)
sequence of two or more verbs in which only
one is the main one).
It can be constituted:

only by the verb or verbal complex

Nevana star of the star.
I had already finished.

by the verb or verbal complex and its

complements, modifiers or predicate of
subject
Francisco ate an apple.
In doubt, he offered her a record.
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Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

Group Linguistic unit whose main constituent is a

preposition or prepositional phrase. It can be
prepositional
consisted of the preposition/prepositional phrase and:

a noun group
I don't like loud music.

an adverb
I have been waiting for your news since yesterday.

a prayer
Until I finish the work, I won't leave the house.
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

Adverbial group Linguistic unit whose main constituent is a

adverb or an adverbial phrase.
It can be constituted:

exclusively by an adverb
The bus arrived early.

for an adverb and its complement

Regardless of your decision, I will go tomorrow.
to Lisbon.

by one adverb and another(s) adverb(s)

The bus arrived very early.
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Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

2. SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS
A. Syntactic functions at the sentence level

SUBJECT
SUBJECT Consisting of a simple noun group or by a
SIMPLE prayer.
John found a wallet.
Who goes to the sea loses their place. (He loses his place.)
It is true that there are some mysteries. (This is true.)

SUBJECT Consisting of a coordination of nominal groups,

COMPOUND pronouns or sentences or combinations of these
categories.
Antonio and Carlossão are actors.
Those who desire a lot and make an effort achieve what they want.
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

NULL SUBJECT Subject without lexical representation.

a. Null subject There is no lexical realization, but the referent is

IMPLICIT recoverable contextually or by the verbal person.
Let's go to the movies tonight.

[Link] subject There is no lexical realization, there is no reference

UNDETERMINED defined and can be replaced by periphrases such as
someone, there are people who or there is someone.

It is said that this winter will be very cold.

There are people who cannot do this.

[Link] subject It emerges in sentences with impersonal verbs and does not have

EXPLETIVE any interpretation.

It dawned very early.
It's raining buckets.
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

A. Syntactic functions at the sentence level

PREDICATE
It is the syntactic function of the constituent of the sentence that selects the others.
constituents that occur in it and is performed by the verbal group.

Maria offered a ring to her mother.

I am very happy with your work.
Aparentemente, todosgostaram do filme.
I am pleased that you consider it that way.
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Syntax I – constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

A. Syntactic functions at the sentence level

MODIFIER

Syntactic function performed by constituents not selected by

no element of the syntactic group of which they are a part. The modifier is
an optional element and its omission does not affect the grammaticality of the
phrase. It can take the form of a prepositional or adverbial group.

Ex.: Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Everything is analyzed statistically.
In fact, no one was expecting this.
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

A. Syntactic functions at the sentence level

VOCATIVE

Syntactic function used in contexts of calling or addressing.

to interlocutor. It often occurs in imperative sentences,
interrogative and exclamatory.

Maria, can you pass me that book?

I do not repeat what I said, gentlemen!
Oh António, bring that bag inside!
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

B. Internal syntactic functions within the verbal group

COMPLEMENT
Syntactic function of a mandatory constituent that is an integral part of
predicate. The complement can be:

direct

indirect

oblique;

passive agent.
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Syntax I – sentence constituents and syntactic functions

COMPLEMENT Complement selected by a transitive verb

DIRECT straight. It can be:

a noun group (replaceable by the pronoun

personal, to, the, the
João found a wallet. [found it]

a replaceable substantive subordinate clause

by the unstressed demonstrative pronoun.

He told me that he wanted to talk to me.

Rita returned the record I lent her.
he/she gave it to me
We often seek those who can help us.
we are looking for him
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

COMPLEMENT Complement selected by the verb, which has the

INDIRECT prepositional group form and can be
replaced by the personal pronouns lhe/lhes.
This syntactic function is also performed
by the personal pronoun (me/you/him/us/you/them).

Mr. Joaquim called my father.

he/she called you
Rita handed me the record.
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Syntax I – sentence constituents and syntactic functions

COMPLEMENT Complement selected by the verb is a

OBLIQUE mandatory constituent and may present the form
of prepositional group or of adverbial group.

Last week I went to Porto.

We need to remember that this is important.
À saída do cinema, parecia que todos tinham gostado
of the movie.
We have lived here for a long time.
Some verbs that select an oblique complement:

to finish with Simonended withthe company.

to benefit from The housebenefited fromsome works.
provide to Let's goprovide toyour new job.
to apply for - João applied to be the class representative.
put in - Sheputthe booksnashelf.
agree with - The studentsagreed withthe notes.
to disagree with I disagree withyour decision.
to fall in love with Sílviafell in love with theneighbor.
take care of - Take care of the desserts.
to make fun with - The childrenthey made fun ofthe dog.
talk about - Tell me about theyour projects.
save in - Savethe moneynosafe.
to be interested in - I am interested in painting.
to go Welet's go toCoimbra tomorrow.
to take care of Hetakes care ofchildren in the morning.
look out for The grandparentslooked through theneto on vacation.
oppose to - To Teresaopposed tomoving house.
to agree with - We cannotto pact withinjustices.
participate in Allparticipated in themeeting.
to think of I think andI love you all day.
to persist in Hepersistin that unpleasant attitude.
to land on Pousathe cup on the table.
to need Everyonethey needattention.
prepare oneself for - The athletesprepare forthe game.

to dispense with NoI do withoutyour opinion.

to reconcile with - He reconciled with Joana.
to resign from NoI resign from themy rights.
to mock Notwo piecesyour colleagues.
live of - Oh Manuelcame fromBrazil.
to live from That individuallive fromErasers.
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Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

COMPLEMENT Function performed by a group

AGENT OF PASSIVE prepositional, introduced by the preposition by
in a passive sentence.

These works were read by the whole class.

This morning, the room was cleaned for me.
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Syntax I – Sentence constituents and syntactic functions

B. Internal syntactic functions within the verbal group

PREDICATIVE
Syntactic function performed by a constituent selected by a
verb that preaches something about the:

•sujeito(com verbo copulativo);

direct object (with transitive-predicative verb).

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Syntax I – constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

PREDICATIVE Syntactic function performed by the constituent

OF THE SUBJECT what happens in sentences with copulative verbs, that
preach something about the subject. It can be:

a nominal group
Matias is my cousin.

an adjectival group
This book is fantastic.

a prepositional group
The acceptance of the conditions serial interest of
everyone.

an adverbial group
Don't worry, she's fine.
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Syntax I – Sentence constituents and syntactic functions

PREDICATIVE OF Syntactic function performed by the constituent

COMPLEMENT selected by a transitive-predicative verb
["to approach","to call","to consider","to judge","to treat"]
DIRECT
elect, appoint...) that preaches something about the
direct object. It can be:

a nominal group
Everyone considers Filipe an extraordinary friend.

an adjectival group
Lucas thinks Ritamuito is very beautiful.

a prepositional group
That lady considered the movie without any
interest.
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Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

B. Internal syntactic functions within the verbal group

MODIFIER
Syntactic function performed by constituents not selected by
verb. The modifier is an optional element and its omission does not affect the
grammaticality of the sentence. It can take the form of:

prepositional group
The crowd accepted the speaker's decision with serenity.

adverbial group
I'm going to take the books.

prayer
When he arrived, he kissed Maria.
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Syntax I–sentence constituents and syntactic functions

C. Internal syntactic functions of the noun phrase

NAME COMPLEMENT
Optional complement selected by a name (a name can select
more than a complement). This syntactic function can take the form
de:

a prepositional group (either sentential or non-sentential)

The offer of books to children is very important.
The idea that work does itself is completely unthinkable.

an adjectival group
The fishery has increased in a worrying way.
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Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

C. Internal syntactic functions within the nominal group

MODIFIER
Syntactic function performed by constituents not selected by
name. The modifier is an optional element and its omission does not affect the
grammaticality of the sentence.
It can take the form of an adjectival group, prepositional phrase, or clause.
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Syntax I - constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

Modifier Syntactic function of a constituent that limits or

restricts the reference of the name that modifies. As
restrictive
restrictive modifiers can work:

adjective groups
I appreciate sincere and loyal friends.

prepositional groups
That flannel jacket is mine.

relative adjective subordinate clauses

restrictive
The books that are on that table are from the
library.
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Syntax I - sentence constituents and syntactic functions

Modifier Syntactic function of a constituent that does not

restricts the reference of the name that modifies. In
positive
written, these modifiers are separated from the
names referred to by commas.
How appositive modifiers work,
typically

noun groups
The painting, the art of color, fascinates me.

explanatory relative clauses

The Moon, which is the star of dreams, inspires many
poets.
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Syntax I – constituents of the sentence and syntactic functions

D. Internal syntactic functions within the adjectival group

ADJECTIVE COMPLEMENT
Complement selected by the adjective. It can be a prepositional group.
(orational or not). It is a filling complement, many
times, optional.

No one was satisfied with the event.

Carla was very happy to be the chosen one.