Lecture E:Phrase functions and

clause functions

SyntaxWeek 4

functions of phrases and clauses

What do the words in a phrase do?

What do phrases inside phrases do?

What do the phrases in clauses do?

S

VP

NP NP

N N V

nuna pala kumtuyyou' banana' eat'

English rule: VP V (NP) (NP) (PP)*

Awa Pit rule: VP (NP) V

The head of a phrase

A head is:

•always grammatically obligatory (a phrase may consist of the head only)

•the element within a phrase that relates to elements outside the phrase.

All phrases have heads The head of a NP is a

•Noun The head of a AdjP is an

•Adjective The head of a VP is a

•Verband so on…

Do clauses have heads?•yes, but rather than the head being a word, it’s a VP.

What else does a phrase consist of besides a head?

A phrase may also contain one or more words (or phrases) which are not grammatically obligatory.

These elements are called dependents

Dependents Different phrases have different types of dependents

Types of dependents can be classified by their position in the phrase Before the head - Pre-head dependent After the head - Post-head dependent

or by their function in the phrase Which functions occur in which phrases? Which phrase types can be used in which functions?

Functions in the Noun Phrase The Determiner

Pre-head dependent Always occurs first in the NPNOTE The determinER is a function, which is most frequently filled by words of the class determinaTIVE.

The determiner function may also be filled by a genitive (or possessive) NP

Examples of Determiners

those boys our book the girlÕs house

Detr:Detv Head:N Detr:Pron Head:N Detr:GenNP

Head:N

NP NP NP

The Pre-head Modifier in NP Occurs before the head, but after the determiner, if there is one.

Usually filled by AdjP May also be filled by a reduced NP

There may be more than one PreHM in a NP

Examples of PreHMs in NP

our dog

Detr:Pron Head:N

NP

very good

PrHdMod:AdjP

those boys

Detr:Detv Head:N

NP

private school

PrHdMod:NP

The Post-head Modifier in NP Occurs following the head Typically filled by PP or S There may be more than one PostHMs in a NP

Examples of PostHMs in NP

NP

Detr: Detv Head: N PostHM: PP

P The man

outside

NP

Detr: Detv Head: N PostHM: S

The man I met

the small boy

Detr:Detv PreHM:AdjP Head:N

with the large dog

PostHM:PP

The Complement in NP Similar to PostHMs in many respects:•Has a post-head position•Usually filled by PP or S

The difference between a complement and a modifier lies in the relationship with the head. There are ways to test this difference.

Distinguishing between (post-head) Modifiers and Complements

Modifiers: Restrict the possible reference of an NP.

Give additional information about the head, such as an attribute or property.eg. Which cat did you see?

The cat with white fur.

Complements: Complete the structure/meaning associated with the head.

Usually cannot be left out of the phrase.eg. My insistence on punctuality is well known. *My insistence is well known.

*Which insistence? (Insistence on what?)

Modifiers: Can be filled by PPs beginning with a variety of prepositions.

eg. The boy with the dog /in the tree /outside the house /on the swings.

Complements: Have little or no flexibility in the choice of preposition - it is controlled by the head noun.eg. My interest in /*on /*at /*with syntax

Nouns which take complements are often related to verbs.

Some of these verbs are also followed by a PP with the same preposition as found in the NP complement.eg. My insistence on punctuality

I insist on punctuality If the verb does not take a following PP, the noun usually takes a PP complement starting with of.eg. I dislike spandex

My dislike of spandex

Functions in the Adjective Phrase The Pre-head Modifier in AdjP

Basically restricted to degree adverbseg. very, extemely, rather, so and too.

The Complement in AdjP Similar to complement in NP Typically a PP or S Has close relationship to head - completes the structure/meaning of the head

Restrictions on the type of complement, depending on the head Adjeg. mad about /at /*on /*in /*with

intrigued by /that /*at /*in

very on the movie

PrHdMod:Adv Comp:PP

AdjP

keen

Head:Adj

Functions in the Adverb Phrase The Pre-head Modifier in AdvP

Can only be filled by a degree adverb

The Complement in AdvP Filled by a PP or S

Point to note: A complement is only allowed in AdvP when there is also a PreHM.eg. too quietly to hear

Functions in the Preposition Phrase The Pre-head Modifier in PP

Filled by AdvP (head-only)eg. just around the bend, right beside you

The Complement in PP Usually filled by NP, but also PP or Seg. outside the house, over behind the couch, before you leave the room

Hierarchical structure - phrases within phrases

straight

the

PrHdMod:Adv Comp:NP

PP

through

Head:P

intersection

Detr:Detv Head:N