Scribd
Upload
30 views4 pages

Lesson 1 Simple Sentence

Uploaded by

Dagi NP
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
30 views4 pages

Lesson 1 Simple Sentence

Uploaded by

Dagi NP
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Lesson 1

1. Revision
- see Handout No. 1 (Lesson 1)
References:
Chalker, S. (1998) A Student’s English Grammar Workbook. Essex: Longman. – Chapter 2,
pp. 7 – 10.
Greenbaum, S. and R. Quirk (1990) A Student’s Grammar of the English Language. Essex:
Longman. – Chapter 2, pp. 11 – 23.

2. The simple sentence


- the simple sentence x complex sentence x compound sentence:
In a SIMPLE sentence all sentence elements are expressed by PHRASES. A simple sentence
is a single independent clause:
She is smart. I put it on the table.
In a COMPLEX sentence at least one sentence element must be expressed by a CLAUSE. A
complex sentence contains one MATRIX clause (the main clause) and at least one
SUBORDINATE clause. We talk about subordination:
Yesterday I came home rather late. – simple sentence
Yesterday I came home when it was rather late. – complex sentence
In a COMPOUND sentence there are two or more coordinate clauses. We talk about
coordination:
I like him, but he doesn’t like me. We can go to the cinema, or we can stay at home. She’s
beautiful and really intelligent too.
- see slide No. 1 for more detail (Lesson 1)

- clause types (simple sentence; answers to handout No. 2):


o How many clause types do we have in English?
We distinguish seven clause types (SV, SVC, SVA, SVO, SVOO, SVOA, SVOC).

o According to which criteria do they differ?


The types differ according to whether one or more clause elements are obligatorily present
in addition to the S (subject) and V (verb). The V element in a simple sentence is always a
finite verb phrase.
o Which clause element determines what other elements (apart from S) will be present in a
sentence? … a VERB

o What do you know about optional adverbials in connection with clause types?
Any number of optional adverbials can be added without changing the clause type:
e.g. The sun is shining. Luckily, the sun is already shining. = SV
He is at home. He is probably at home now. = SVA
You can put the book on the table. Later, you can perhaps put the dish on the table. = SVOA

o Clause types are closely connected with verb classes; there are 3 main verb classes. Which
are they?
intransitive verbs – followed by no obligatory element, and occur in type SV (shine, work, …)
transitive verbs – all verbs requiring an object. They can be further classified:
monotransitive – SVO (bore, see, …)
ditransitive – SVOO (give, send, show,…)
complex-transitive – SVOC (find) and SVOA (put)
copular verbs – followed by a SUBJECT COMPLEMENT or an ADVERBIAL; thus occur in
types: SVC (seem) and SVA (be)
(Which verbs can normally build the passive?…transitive verbs – there are exceptions,
though – so called middle verbs that seem transitive but normally occur only in the
active: They have three daughters. This jumper doesn’t fit you. Three times three equals
nine. I lack further information.)

o Explain the following term: multiple class membership of verbs. Give some examples:
For instance, the verb to get can belong to different verb classes, and hence can enter into more than
one clause type:
She’s getting upset. – SVC
You’ll get a long letter. – SVO
She got him a pricey gift. - SVOO
Sometimes different interpretations are possible (ambiguities can arise):
I found her an entertaining partner. SVOC or SVOO
He is preparing his family dinner. SVO or SVOO
o What is understood by the complementation of the verb?
Complementation of the verb comprises any clause/sentence element (O, C and A) that is needed in
order to form a grammatically acceptable sentence:
* I put it. * The dinner tastes. – these are incomplete structures, they are unacceptable
However, in some cases, an element can be considered grammatically optional:
I’m eating. SV I’m eating lunch. SVO
I’m teaching. SV I’m teaching English. SVO I’m teaching you English. SVOO
- these verbs have a multiple class membership

o What is a broader notion: complement or complementation?


Most verbs require a particular complementation, which can be of three kinds: O, C, A.
Complement (C) is one kind of complementation, thus complementation is a broader notion than
complement. Complement is one of the sentence/clause elements.

o What is the relationship between phrases = forms and clause elements = functions?
- syntactic characterization of clause elements
(see Chalker 1998: 7, 8 for more detail and for revision, and also the corresponding chapter in
Greenbaum and Quirk 1990 – chapter 2)
- when we talk of PHRASES we are talking of FORMAL CATEGORIES – the way phrases
are formed
- when we talk of CLAUSE ELEMENTS we are thinking of the way different kinds of formal
phrases FUNCTION, how the same kind of phrase can express different elements
VERB – always realized by a VP; normally present in all clauses; determines what other elements
must occur; in a simple sentence always a finite verb phrase
SUBJECT – typically a NP (or a subjective form of pronouns); determines the number and person
of the verb, where relevant
OBJECT – typically a NP (or objective form of pronouns); normally follows the S and V, if two
objects, then usu the indirect one precedes the direct one; can become the S of the corresponding
passive clause
COMPLEMENT – typically a NP or an AdjP; subject complement relates to the S x object
complement relates to the O; does not have a corresponding passive subject
ADVERBIAL – can be realized by AdvP, PP, NP or CLAUSE:
e.g. I’m coming tomorrow / in the afternoon / this evening / when I finish my homework. ;
can occur in more than one position in the clause; frequently optional except in SVA and SVOA
References:

Chalker, S. (1998) A Student’s English Grammar Workbook. Essex: Longman. – Chapters 2


and 10, pp. 7-10; 74-76.

Greenbaum, S. and R. Quirk (1990) A Student’s Grammar of the English Language. Essex:
Longman. Chapters 2 and 10, pp. 11-23; 204-208.

You might also like