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Syntax - The Analysis of Sentence Structure

This document provides an overview of syntax and phrase structure rules. It defines syntax as the study of rules governing how words combine to form sentences. It then discusses key concepts like constituents, heads of phrases, and phrase structure rules. Some main points covered are: - Phrase structure rules specify patterns for forming phrases like noun phrases and verb phrases. - Rules like NP -> Det N and VP -> V (NP) (PP) (Adv) generate phrases from basic elements. - Lexical rules specify which words can fill phrase positions. - Phrase structure trees visually represent syntactic structure. - Deep structure represents underlying meaning, while surface structure is actual representation. - Structural ambiguity

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Hafeed
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716 views

Syntax - The Analysis of Sentence Structure

This document provides an overview of syntax and phrase structure rules. It defines syntax as the study of rules governing how words combine to form sentences. It then discusses key concepts like constituents, heads of phrases, and phrase structure rules. Some main points covered are: - Phrase structure rules specify patterns for forming phrases like noun phrases and verb phrases. - Rules like NP -> Det N and VP -> V (NP) (PP) (Adv) generate phrases from basic elements. - Lexical rules specify which words can fill phrase positions. - Phrase structure trees visually represent syntactic structure. - Deep structure represents underlying meaning, while surface structure is actual representation. - Structural ambiguity

Uploaded by

Hafeed
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Compiled by Group VI:

Assafiul Mushofa 112301149 Siti Jumaliyah 112301148

Definition of Syntax
Syntax is the study of the rules governing the way words are combined to form sentences in a language.

This class: what syntactic structure is and what the rules that determine syntactic structure are like.

Syntax
Non-sense sentences with clear syntax

Colorless green ideas sleep furiously. A verb crumpled the milk. I gave the question a scuba-diving egg. *Furiously sleep ideas green colorless. *Milk the crumpled *the question I an egg scuba-diving gave.

Sentences are composed of discrete units that are

combined by rules. These rules explain how speakers can store infinite knowledge in a finite space- brain.
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Phrase structure rules


Some words seem to belong together:
{The crazy man} {is jumping off the bridge}

Groups of words that belong together are called constituents The component that determines the properties of the constituent is the head, and the constituent can be referred to as a phrase: e.g. noun phrase

Phrase Structure Rules


If we look at phrases, some patterns emerge: Det N the instructor = NP Det N a friend = NP Det N some homework = NP Det N two classes = NP
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Phrase Structure Rules


some more patterns: V Det N call the instructor= VP V Det N meet a friend = VP V Det N do some homework = VP V Det N skip two classes = VP
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PSR
and yet more patterns: Prep Det N with the instructor= PP Prep Det N from a friend = PP Prep Det N with some homework = PP Prep Det N after two classes = PP
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PSR
Rules for determining the structure of phrases Generate a lot of sentences from a small number of rules. The structure of a phrase will consist of one or more constituents in a certain order. What does a NP consist of?
noun phrases have a Det and a N

NP Det N

Lexical Rules
We need lexical rules to specify which words can be

used when we rewrite constituents such as N.


NP N Art Pro

{Mary, George} {girl, boy, dog}

PSR
V Det N V Det N V Det N run a marathon eat the food read the book V Prep Det N V Prep Det N go to the store talk with a teacher

V Det N Prep Det N take your sister to the library Verb phrases have a V, (sometimes) an NP, and (sometimes) a PP VP -> V (NP) (PP)
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The main phrase structure rules


1. S NP VP
2. NP {Det N, Pro, PN} 3. VP V (NP) (PP) (Adv) 4. PP P NP 5. AP A (PP)

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Phrase Structure Rules & tree diagrams


NP (Det) N
PP P NP

The boy (NP) Det The N boy

the boy in the yard NP Det N P Det The boy in the PP NP N yard
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Phrase Structure Rules


VP V (NP) (PP)
S NP VP
took the money (VP) V Det NP N took the money from the bank VP V Det NP N P Det took the money from the PP NP N bank
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took

the

money

Example (1)
The old tree swayed in the wind
S
NP VP

Det

Adj

V
P

PP
NP

Det
The old tree swayed in the

N
wind
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Example (2)
The children put the toy in the box
S
NP VP

Det

V
Det

NP
N P

PP
NP

Det
The children put the toy in the

N
box
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Example 3

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Deep and surface structure


The deep structure is an abstract level of structural organization in which all the elements determining structural interpretation are represented.
Sentences that have alternative interpretations Sentences that have different surface forms but have the

same underlying meaning.

Surface structure= how the sentence is actually represented


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Deep and surface structure


How superficially different sentences are closely

related? Charlie broke the window. The window was broken by Charlie Charlie who broke the window. Was the window broken by Charlie?

Difference in their surface structure = difference

in syntactic forms BUT they have the same deep or underlying structure

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Structural ambiguity
How superficially similar sentences are different? (multiple meanings) E.g. Annie whacked the man with an umbrella Same surface structure but different deep structure The boy saw the man with a telescope The question is: What is the scope of "with the

telescope"? Does it modify only "the man" or does it modify "saw the man"?
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Structural Ambiguity (1)

The boy saw the man with the telescope


S
NP VP

Det

V
Det

NP
N P

PP
NP

Det
The boy saw the

man with the telescope

Meaning: Using the telescope, the boy saw the man


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Structural Ambiguity (2)


The boy saw the man with the telescope
S NP Det N V Det N P Det The boy saw the VP NP PP NP N

man with the telescope


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Meaning: The boy saw the man. The man had a telescope.

Thank You Vey Much .... For this meeting today and keep spirit to study hard

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