Grammar D
The Syntactic Elements of Clauses and
Groups
from
Downing & Locke's English Grammar: A University Course
Prepared by
Dina M. Bensureiti
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What is structure?
❯
The term ‘structure’ refers to the relationships between the small units
that make up a larger unit.
E.g. The boy + ate + the apple.
The boy= who did the action; the subject
ate= the action; the verb or the predicator
the apple= the person/thing affected by the verb directly; direct object
So structure means the relationships between these parts (small units)
which make up the clause (a larger unit)
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What are the syntactic elements of
clauses?
❯ Clauses have the greatest(largest) number of syntactic elements or
functions of all classes of unit.
❯ The type of structure depends mainly on the verb we use.
Subject (S)
Jupiter is the largest planet.
SPCs
Predicator (P)
The election campaign has ended. SP
Direct object (Od)
Ted has bought a new motorbike. SPO
Indirect object (Oi)
They sent their friends postcards. SPOO
Subject complement
(Cs)
He is powerless to make any changes. SPCs
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What are the syntactic elements of
clauses? (cont.)
Object complement
(Co)
We consider the situation alarming. SPOCo
Locative/Goal
complement (Cloc)
We flew to Moscow. SPCloc
Circumstantial
adjunct (A)
The news reached us on Tuesday. SPOA
Stance adjunct (A)
Sadly, we could not reach Ely in time.
ASPOA
Connective adjunct
(A)
However, other friends were present. ASPCs
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What are the different types of groups?
Groups (phrases) do not contain both a subject and a verb together and they cannot
function as sentences. These are ther types:
❯
Nominal groups: the main focus is a noun; e.g. those | beautiful | paintings | by
Goya dmhm
❯
Adjectival groups: The main focus is an adjective; e.g extremely | difficult | to
translate mhc
❯
Adverbial groups: The main focus is an adverb; e.g. very | carefully | indeed mhm
❯
Verbal groups: The main focus is a verb; e.g. was | watching xv
❯
Prepositional phrases: The main focus is a preposition and its complement/object;
e.g. On | the table
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Do all groups have the same structure?
❯ Nominal groups, adjectival groups and adverbial groups have the same
structure in general and are composed of three primary elements
or functions:
•
a pre-modifier (m)
•
a head (h)
•
a post-modifier (m).
Pre-modifier (m)
Nominal/adjectival/adverbial
group
Head (h)
(noun/adjective/
adverb)
Post-modifier (m)
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Complements as post-head elements
❯
We also distinguish‘complement’ (c) as a special type of post- head element.
❯
Complements of nouns and adjectives are introduced by a preposition or
by a that-clause which is controlled by the head-word of the group.
For example: good at chess
The adjective good controls a complement introduced by at:
❯
Another example: The noun belief controls a that-clause in the following:
the belief that he is always right.
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Nominal groups
❯
In the case of nominal groups, we also distinguish between:
 ‘modifiers’ (m), which describe or classify the head, and
 ‘determiners’ (d), which specify it in terms of definiteness, quantity,
possessiveness, etc.
For example:
A beautiful dress.
A = determiner
beautiful= modifier
dress= noun head
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Verbal Groups
❯ In Verbal Groups, the lexical verb is regarded as the main element (v),
which can either:
•
function alone, whether in finite or non-finite form, as in the example
Walking ( non-finite) along the street, I met (finite) a friend of mine.
OR
•
be preceded by auxiliaries (x), as in will go or has been reading.
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Prepositional Phrases
❯ In Prepositional Phrases (PP) there are two obligatory elements: the
prepositional
❯ head (h) and the complement (c). There is also an optional modifier (m),
which is usually an adverb of degree (e.g. right, quite).
❯ The structure of PPs (mhc) is illustrated as follows:
- right | across | the road.
- quite |out of | practice.
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Extra Reading and Homework
❯ Please read pages 15 and 16 from your coursebook.
❯ Please do the homework posted on the Telegram Channel.
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References
Downing, A., & Locke, P. (2006). English grammar: A university course.
Routledge.
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Thank you.
Have a great day!
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