Modern English Grammar I Autumn Semester 2017 Modern English Grammar I

Basic Components in Clauses Introductory Basic Components in Clauses Hand outs now

Three ways of analysing clauses elements = words 1. Groups = Phrases 2. individual building blocks combining building blocks into groups or phrases relationships that define functions some elements are required and fixed, (slow appearance) some are optional and (click!) can be shifted quite easily. Relationships = Functional units 3. MEG-1 © FAM

1.1 The smallest components Many students in the class read their new books on language change in Australia. MEG-1 © FAM

Do Activity 1 on page 7 MEG-1 © FAM

1.1. ctd. Many students in the class read their new books on language change in Australia. Nouns Verbs Adjectives Preposi-tions Determi-ners Quanti-fiers put the words into (unnamed) categories (all need clicking!) Add the names of the categories (all need clicking!) MEG-1 © FAM

Do Activity 2 on page 7 MEG-1 © FAM

1.2 Slightly larger components Many students in the class read their new books on language change in Australia. in the class their new books Split into “Agents” and “Action” “Theme” and “Rheme” (NP and VP) Separate off the verb (which could stand on its own) Split the “more obligatory” (object NP) from the “less obligatory” (PP) Functional Categories will be dealt with later Separate the “in Australia” (as a further info) Split the postmodifier PP “in the class” off on language change in Australia. MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.1 Identifying Groups Cl NP VP Quant N PP V NP P NP Det Adj N PP Many students Det Adj N PP Det N in P NP Find the NPs, first with heads, after clicks NPs will complete themselves Identify the Ps Then make PPs Link them to NPs Identify the V, then form the VG (corresponds to our first break!) Ambiguity of “in Australia” (two clicks!) Complete to “Clause” PP the class N read P NP their new books on language change in N Australia. MEG-1 © FAM

Do Exploration 1 on page 8 MEG-1 © FAM

Do Activity 3 on page 9 MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.2 Constituents of Phrases a We went for a walk in spite of the lousy weather. He sold his mother’s horrid, orange retro Formica kitchen table. Jamie went to bed in the middle of the night. Identify all the NPs Then the PPs What sort of constituents can we find? MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.2 Constituents of Phrases b Examples Noun Phrase (NP) N students, books, language change, Australia, we, him, etc. Det the, their, a, this/these, etc. Adj. (=AdP) new, lousy, most interesting, etc. poss (mother)’s , etc. PP in the class, etc. Break? rel. cl. (that) I wanted to buy, etc. Prepositional Phrase (PP) P in, on, in spite of, with, etc. NP the new books, Australia, this, me, etc. MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.2 Constituents of Phrases c She gave him the most interesting news yesterday. This is incredibly stupid. I get up far too early in the morning. Actually, this cup of cold tea is yours. NPs, Vs, then PP on clicks Adjective P on click MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.2 Constituents of Phrases d Groups Constituents Examples Verb Phrase V go, is, sell, etc. particle (get) up, (feel) down, etc. NP him, the most interesting news, etc. PP to bed, for a walk, etc. AdjP incredibly stupid, etc. AdvP yesterday, far too early cl. that this cup of tea is cold, etc. MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.2 Constituents of Phrases d Groups Examples Adjective Phrase Adj stupid, most interesting, etc. adverb incredibly, etc. ‘intensifier’ very, most, far, too, etc. PP … good at maths, etc. cl to believe / I could hardly believe it… Adverb Phrase Adv yesterday, early, only yesterday, etc. ‘intensifier’ very, far, too, etc. NP, PP etc. late last night, today at seven, etc. MEG-1 © FAM

Do Exploration 2 on page 8 MEG-1 © FAM

Do Activity 4 on page 9 MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.3 What’s a Head a) The Modifications to the Central Element are The Central Element in the Phrase is Example Group The second-hand car that I wanted to buy Noun Phrase My older son from my previous marriage Noun Phrase First the key element  head then name the Phrases then pre- and post-modification always skip breakfast Verb Phrase MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.2 What’s a Head b) The Central Element in the Phrase is The Modifications to the Central Element are Example Group hardly ever on time (for his appointments) Prepositional Phrase really difficult for Jenny Adjective Phrase First the key element  head then name the Phrases then pre- and post-modification almost daily for a week Adverb Phrase MEG-1 © FAM

Do Activity 5 on page 11 MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.4 The Structure of a Phrase NP N det adj (AdjP) cl Do note write both of the examples down. The second-hand car that I wanted to buy MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.4 Structure of a Phrase b AdjP Adj intensifier PP really difficult for Jenny MEG-1 © FAM

1.2.4 Structure of a Phrase b XP X pre-X post-X HEAD Specifier Extension MEG-1 © FAM

Do Activity 6 on page 11 MEG-1 © FAM

1.3 Functional Categories S(ubject) All students in the class V(erb) read O(bject) their new books on language change A(dverbial) in Australia MEG-1 © FAM

1.3 Functional Categories b S(ubject) All students in the class V(erb) are C(omplement) really hungry Emphasise the C! A(dverbial) at lunch time MEG-1 © FAM

Home Study Exploration 3 on page 10, Exploration 1 on page 14, Stress importance of doing the home study! MEG-1 © FAM

And that’s all for today Tune in again next week for another exciting episode of Modern English Grammar MEG-1 © FAM