Exclamatory Sentences Ed McCorduck English 402--Grammar SUNY Cortland http://mccorduck.cortland.edu

slide 2: characteristics of exclamatory sentences Exclamatory sentences have wh-words (usually only what and how) as modifiers of elements in deep structure. the wh-words and the elements they modify are fronted in the surface structure (and in Reed-Kellogg diagrams of exclamatory sentences the w and h of surface-initial What and How are capitalized) English 402: Grammar

slide 3: example of an exclamatory sentence and its Reed-Kellogg diagram How ghastly he looks! English 402: Grammar

How you’ve ruined my life! slide 3: another example of an exclamatory sentence and its Reed-Kellogg diagram ex How you’ve ruined my life! English 402: Grammar

slide 4: special rule for Reed-Kellogg diagrams when how or what modifies a modifier In Reed-Kellogg diagrams, if the what or how of an exclamatory sentence itself modifies a modifier (i.e., an element normally drawn below the main horizontal line such as a determiner, preposition or adverb), the how or what is connected to the modifier through a special structure: English 402: Grammar

ex What a lamebrain she is! slide 6: example of an exclamatory sentence with a modifying what and its Reed-Kellogg diagram ex What a lamebrain she is! English 402: Grammar

How swiftly the baying hounds run! slide 7: example of an exclamatory sentence with a modifying how and its Reed-Kellogg diagram ex How swiftly the baying hounds run! English 402: Grammar

What a crock you’re handing me! slide 8: another example and diagram of an exclamatory sentence with a modifying what ex What a crock you’re handing me! English 402: Grammar