1. Grammatical Hierarchy
Introduction
Grammatical Hierarchy

2. Definition of GRAMMAR GRAMMAR: the structural system of a language.
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
Linguistics
Syntax
Morphology
Grammar
Semantics

3. Five Ranks the Sentence the Clause the Phrase the Word the Morpheme
The grammar of the English language is organized into five ranks:
the Sentence
the Clause
the Phrase
the Word
the Morpheme

4. Diagram of the five ranks:
Each rank is composed of one or more than one grammatical unit of the immediate lower rank:
Sentence
lowest
Clause
Phrase
Word
highest
Morpheme

5. Example Sentence Clause Phrases Words Morphemes
A full sentence can generally be segmented rank by rank down to its smallest constituents---the morphemes.
Sentence
Clause
These undergraduates are rapidly improving in their writing.
Phrases
Noun Phrase
Verb Phrase
Prepositional Phrase
are rapidly improving
are
in their writing in
These undergraduates
These
Words
rapid ly
their
under
graduat es
improv
ing
writ
ing
Morphemes

6. 0.1 Morphemes 1.Definition: the minimum or smallest grammatical unit
the smallest meaningful element of speech.
2.Classification:
Two categories: ) Free Morphemes ) Bound Morphemes *3) Allomorphs
3. Diagram of Morpheme

7. 1) Free Morphemes 1. Definition: has a complete meaning
can stand by itself as a Simple Word
can sometimes act as a complete utterance in connected speech
to form Compound Words Derivatives

8. Affix 2) Bound Morphemes are mostly affixes
also meaningful, but the meaning is not complete in itself unless it is attached to some other forms
cannot stand by itself: it only exists as an
Affix
Inflectional or
Derivational

9. Inflectional Affix -’s (genitive case) -s/-es (plural nouns)
-s/-es (the third person singular verbs in simple present)
-ed (past tense verbs)
-ing, -ed (-ing participle, -ed participle form of verbs)
-er, -est (comparative, superlative degree of adjectives/ adverbs)

10. Derivational Affix Prefix, Suffix (Prefix) + Root + (suffix)
co-exist existence co-existence

11. -’s, -s -ing, -ed/-en -est, -er, -s,-es
Diagram of Morpheme
Free M ＋
Affix
Derivative
Free morpheme
Free M ＋
Free M
Compound word
Morpheme
Word-formation
-’s, -s -ing, -ed/-en -est, -er, -s,-es
Inflectional Affix
Bound morpheme
Affix
Prefix
Derivational Affix ＋
Root
Suffix

12. 3) Allomorphs Definition:
The variants of the same morpheme are called allomorphs.
Explanation:
the same morpheme in different contexts may take different phonological or orthographical forms.

13. Examples: /s/ /z/ /iz/ In Orthography: in- im- il- ir-
inactive immature illegal irrational
incoherent immortal illogical irregular
inexperienced imperfect illegible irrelevant
In phonology:
-s cats dogs houses
/s/
/z/
/iz/

14. 0.2 Words is composed of one or more morpheme.
can be classified in two ways:
in terms of
word-formation
grammatical function

15. In terms of Word-formation
a) Simple Word
b) Derivative
c) Compound Word

16. a) Simple Word: also called Morpheme Word (free morpheme)
minor but has frequent appearance and strong derivational ability
the main body of English vocabulary
usually the small word
at on down near hand foot take make

17. b) Derivative: Structure: (prefix) + root +(suffix) : un kind ness
Influence the meaning of the root
Influence the part of speech of the root

18. c) Compound Word Structure: Free Morpheme + Free Morpheme
Classification:
Compound Noun Compound Adjective Compound Verb Compound Adverb Compound Pronoun Compound Conjunction Compound Preposition

19. In terms of grammatical function
Closed-class words
Open-class words

20. Closed-class words Definition:
Closed-class words refer to those sets of words whose items are closed or limited in number and are only exceptionally extended by the creation of additional members.

21. Scope: All the Function Words:
Preposition Pronoun Determiner Conjunction Auxiliary

22. Open-class Words Definition:
Open-class words refer to those sets of words whose items are indefinitely extendable. New items are constantly being created and old items are giving place to new ones.

23. Scope: All the Content Words: NOTE:
Noun
Adjective
Adverb
Main Verb
NOTE:
Cardinal Numeral, Ordinal Numeral and Interjection are between closed and open

24. 0.3 Phrases Definition: is composed of one or more than one word.
is a group of words organized in a specific way with a key Word as its Head.
The word class of the Head determines the class of the phrase and the way in which the words are organized.

25. Word Class of Phrase : Noun Phrase Verb Phrase Adjective Phrase
Adverb Phrase
Prepositional Phrase

26. Noun as the Pre-Modifier
1) The Noun Phrase:
Structure:
(Determiner) + (Pre-Modifier) + Noun + (Post-Modifier)
all the college students
Noun as the Head
Determiner
Noun as the Pre-Modifier

27. Non-finite Verb Phrase
Exercise
Prepositional Phrase
Non-finite Verb Phrase
His new book on phonology
Milton lived in the 17th century
The author’s new novel that will soon come out
book
Milton
novel
Clause

28. In terms of the amount of verbs
2) The Verb Phrase:
Classification :
In terms of the amount of verbs
Simple Verb Phrase
Complex Verb Phrase
In terms of grammatical form
Finite Verb Phrase
Non-finite Verb Phrase

29. Simple Verb Phrase: Structure: (Modifier) + Main Verb + (Modifier)
She looks pale.
We utterly detested him.
Main Verb
Modifier + Main Verb

30. Complex Verb Phrase: Structure: It is getting dark.
Auxiliary /Auxiliaries + Main Verb + (Modifier)
It is getting dark.
She ought to have told him about it.
Joan will certainly object and so will Mary.

31. Finite Verb Phrase:
A finite verb phrase is initiated by a finite form, that is, a verb form that changes according to Tense or Subject.
Verb phrases
I loved you two years ago.
Tommy loves Lora.
Person/ Number
Tense
Children love fairy tales.

32. Non-finite Verb Phrase:
A non-finite verb phrase is initiated by a non-finite form, that is, a verb form that does not change according to Tense or Subject.
We went there to see a film.
Robert seldom goes there to see a film.
Andrew will go there to see a film.
I usually go there to see a film.
Finite
Non-finite

33. Point out finite and non- finite verb phrases:
Having seen the film, we had a discussion.
Painted by a famous artist, the portrait is invaluable.
Tired from studying all afternoon, she went for a walk.
Opening the book slowly and tentatively, she began to read.
Finite
Non-finite

34. 3) The Adjective Phrase:
Structure:
(Modifier) + Adjective + (Post modifier / Complementation)
The course is pretty difficult.
I’ll be glad to help you repair the car if you show me what’s wrong.
pretty
difficult
glad
to help you repair the car

35. 4) The Adverb Phrase: Structure: (Modifier) + Adverb + (post Modifier)
He spoke loudly and clearly.

36. 5) The Prepositional Phrase:
Structure:
(Modifier) + Preposition + Complementation
The weather has been fine except in the north.
Now their footsteps could be heard directly above my head.
We are collecting money for the benefit of some orphans.
except
in the north
above
my head
for
the benefit of
some orphans

37. 0.4 Clauses: is composed of one or more than one phrase.
A full-fledged clause is structurally a sequence of phrase and logically a construction of “Subject + Predicate”.

38. Classification: In terms of grammatical function:
In terms of the “Subject + Predicate” construction:
In terms of the relation between the clauses
In terms of verb phrase type
Verbless clauses

39. 1) In terms of grammatical function:
Independent clause (IC) Dependent clause (DC)
stand by itself act as a complete utterance
forms only part of another clause or phrase
He knows everything about it.
I don’t think he knows everything about it.

40. Quiz: I went to the store. I didn't buy any bread.
I went to the store, but I didn't buy any bread.
I went to the store; however, I didn't buy any bread.
When I went to the store, I didn't buy any bread.
I didn't buy any bread when I went to the store.
IC. IC.
IC; IC.
IC, IC.
IC; IC.
DC, IC.
IC DC.

41. 2) In terms of the “Subject + Predicate” construction:
Simple Clause Complex Clause
only one construction of “subject + predicate”
comprises another clause or other clauses as its element or elements

42. Examples: simple or complex?
It is not true.
What you said is not true.
He said that it was not true.
He complained that what you said was not true. IC
Simple
Simple IC
Complex
Complex DC IC
Simple
Complex DC IC
Complex
Complex DC

43. 3) In terms of the relation between the clauses
In a complex clause, the clause that takes another clause as its element is the main clause, while the clause that forms part of the main clause is a subordinate clause.

44. Example: Main Clause Subordinate Clause
He complained that what you said was not true.
Subordinate Clause
Main Clause

45. 4) In terms of verb phrase type:
Finite Clause: Non-finite Clause:
takes a finite verb phrase as its predicate verb
takes a non-finite verb phrase as its predicator
I signed the paper to get the license (Non-finite clause)
It is forbidden to smoke in this room (Non-finite clause)

46. Quiz: Finite or Nonfinite?
1. Everybody left just after the ceremony
2. Inviting your sister was not a great decision
3. I'll be home around ten if my train is on time.
4. They expect Susan to do all the work.
5. Deprived of oxygen, plants will quickly die
Finite
Nonfinite
Finite
Finite
Nonfinite

47. 5) Verbless clauses
is marked by the absence of any form of verb element
is just a construction of “subject + predicate” without any form of verb element.
Hungry and exhausted, the climbers returned.
Christmas then only days away, the family was pent up with excitement.

48. 0.5 Sentences
Features 
Definition 
Classification 

49. A. Features: the highest rank of grammatical unit.
the basic linguistic unit of connected discourse
Based on one or more than one clause
can stand alone and perform a function in social communication.

50. B. Definition
a grammatical unit that can stand by itself and perform a communicative function.

51. C. Classification Full and Minor Sentences
A minor sentence is only a sentence fragment which in specific contexts and situations can stand by itself and perform a communicative function.
Minor sentences are extensively used in informal discourses.
A: When did he arrive? B: Last night. No smoking! Fire!

52. Full Sentence
A Full Sentence is a sentence with an expressed subject and predicate.
This kind of sentence is mostly used in formal speech and writing.
Classification

53. Classification of Full Sentence:
Simple Sentence
Compound Sentence
Complex Sentence
Compound-complex Sentence
one independent clause
Two or more coordinated independent clauses
an independent clause comprising one or more dependent clauses as its elements
Two or more coordinated independent clauses with at least one complex clause

54. Examples: Some students like to study in the mornings.
Jack and James play football every afternoon.
S. S.
Alicia goes to the library and studies every day.
S. S.
I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak English.
Cpd. S.
We had to go inside when it started raining.
Cpx. S.
As long as it isn't cold , it doesn't matter if it rains.
Cpx. S.
I admire Tim, but he doesn't admire me, although I try hard to impress him.
Cpd. Cpx. S.

55. The End