1. Modern English Grammar I
Autumn Semester 2017
Modern
English
Grammar I

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

3. 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.
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4. 1.1 The smallest components
Many students in the class read
their new books on language change in Australia.
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5. Do
Activity 1 on
page 7
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6. 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!)
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7. Do
Activity 2 on
page 7
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8. 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.
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9. 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.
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10. Do
Exploration 1 on
page 8
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11. Do
Activity 3 on
page 9
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12. 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?
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13. 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.
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14. 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
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15. 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.
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16. 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.
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17. Do
Exploration 2 on
page 8
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18. Do
Activity 4 on
page 9
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19. 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
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20. 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
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21. Do
Activity 5 on
page 11
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22. 1.2.4 The Structure of a PhraseNP N
det
adj (AdjP) cl
Do note write both of the examples down.
The second-hand
car
that I wanted to buy
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23. 1.2.4 Structure of a Phrase b AdjP Adj intensifier PP really difficult
for Jenny
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24. 1.2.4 Structure of a Phrase b XP X pre-X post-X HEAD Specifier
Extension
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25. Do
Activity 6 on
page 11
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26. 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
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27. 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
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28. Home Study Exploration 3 on page 10, Exploration 1 on page 14,
Stress importance of doing the home study!
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29. And that’s all for today
Tune in again next week for another exciting episode of
Modern English Grammar
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