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Class 3

The document discusses the grammatical functions of Subjects, Predicates, Predicators, and introduces Direct Objects (DOs) in sentences. It explains the properties of DOs, their syntactic roles, and provides examples of how they relate to verbs, including their transformation in passive voice. Additionally, it highlights the distinction between transitive and intransitive verbs regarding the presence of Direct Objects.

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6 views5 pages

Class 3

The document discusses the grammatical functions of Subjects, Predicates, Predicators, and introduces Direct Objects (DOs) in sentences. It explains the properties of DOs, their syntactic roles, and provides examples of how they relate to verbs, including their transformation in passive voice. Additionally, it highlights the distinction between transitive and intransitive verbs regarding the presence of Direct Objects.

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vb22005
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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+CLASS 3

THE PREDICATOR
So far, we have looked at the way in which the bracketed strings in the next
sentences function.

[The cat] [devoured the rat]


Subject Predicate

[The rat] [devoured the cat]


Subject Predicate

Now, we need to see the elements inside the predicate.

[The cat] [devoured the rat]


Subject Predicator
Predicate
[The rat] [devoured the cat]
Subject Predicator
Predicate

THE DIRECT OBJECT


After our discussion of Subjects, Predicates and Predicators we now turn to a
fourth type of grammatical function: the Direct Object (DO).
Consider the following sentences:
 His girlfriend bought this computer.
 That silly fool broke the teapot.
 Our linguistics lecturer took this photograph.
 My sister found this book.

The Subjects of these sentences are the first NPs in each case: his girlfriend,
that silly fool, our linguistics lecturer and my sister. The Predicates are bought
this computer, broke the teapot, took this photograph and found this book.
The Predicators are bought, broke, took and found.
We now assign the function of Direct Object to the NPs this computer, the
teapot, this photograph and this book.

In semantic terms Direct Objects are said to be constituents that refer to


entities that undergo the activity or process denoted by the verb.

Direct Object typically undergoes the action or process denoted by the verb.
However, although this semantic characterization is useful, and in most cases
enables us to find the Direct Object of a sentence, we will also need to define
DOs syntactically, i.e. in terms of their structural properties.

PROPERTIES OF DIRECT OBJECTS


1. DOs are often Noun Phrases.

Ex: Rose baked two cakes.


D.O.

2. Their usual position is after the main verb.

Ex: Hellen carried her baby all the way home.

V D.O.
3. Direct Objects have a strong relationship with the verb that precedes them.

Ex: Charles polished his shoes as soon as he got up.


V D.O

4. Direct Objects of the active voice sentences are the Subjects of the passive voice
sentences.

Ex: Jeremy and Flor composed a beautiful song. (active)


D.O.

A beautiful song was composed by Jeremy and Flor. (passive)


S

Exercise
Produce passive versions of the following active sentences:
 We drank this bottle of coke. This bottle of coke was drunk by us.
 My son found a wallet. A wallet was found by my son.
 The inspectors checked the tickets. The tickets were checked by the
inspectors.
 This store sells only silk shirts. Only silk shirts are sold by this store.

Important facts about Direct Objcts.


When sentences contain transitive verbs, the transitive verbs cannot stand
alone.
*His girlfriend bought.
*This silly fool broke.
*Our linguistics lecturer took.
*My sister found.
* I dreamed.
If you want to use the verb DREAM with a direct object, you need to use
about/on/of.

Intransitive verbs do not take Direct Objects.


 William blushed.
 Sean cried.
 Thomas slept.
 Lee dreamt.
 Garry jumped.

Some verbs appear to be able to function both transitively and intransitively, as in the
following sentences:
Different meaning
a. Harold moved the table.
b. Harold moved.

a. Jake walked the dog.


b. Jake walked.

BUT:
Same meaning

a Goneril was reading a book.


b Goneril was reading.

a Pat was eating a sandwich.


b Pat was eating.

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