• What do we mean by Syntax?

Unit 6 – Presentation 1

“the order or arrangement of words within a sentence”• And what is a ‘sentence’?

A group of words that conveys full meaning and can stand on its own in speech and writing.

How is a ‘Clause’ different from a ‘Sentence’?

A clause is a group of words within a sentence.

The subject: sb/ sth that does, is or has what the verb says &

the finite verb

What are the main terms in a clause or sentence?

What are some other terms of a sentence/ clause?

The object, a complement and adjuncts.

Also a group of words within a clause or a sentence but WITHOUT a verb.

And what is a phrase?

• FRONT: before the subject.• MID: between subject and verb.• END: after the verb or after the object

(if any).

What are ‘front’, ‘mid’ and ‘end’ positions in a sentence?

S(ubject) V(erb) O(bject)

What is the standard construction rule in English?

And where are adverbs normally placed in this construction?

In ‘end’ position in the order:Manner – Place - Time

Yes. 1) verb of motion OR position place +

manner + time2) time adverbials can also be in Front

position, esp. if there are more than one adverbial

3) manner adverbs/ adverbials are placed in Mid position OR immediately after the verb when the object is a whole clause and there are meaning issues

Are there exceptions to the M-P-T rule?

• Manner• Place/ Direction• Time• Frequency• Degree • Quantity• Comment• Restrictive• Linking

What is the normal position for these categories of adverbs?

A set of 3 rules:• conjunction + subject + verb (+ other

terms)• prepositional phrase + noun/ pronoun/

gerund/ noun phrase-clause• linking adverb/ phrase + ,/ ./ ; +

sentence

What is the Golden Rule of syntax?

Main & Subordinate Clauses

What are the two principal types of Clause?

3:• SIMPLE• COMPOUND• COMPLEX

How many types of Sentences are there?

One that contains only one finite verb (mentioned or implied).

Simple sentences (i.e. Main Clauses) stand alone and are not linked.

What is a Simple sentence?

One that contains at least two main clauses and are linked by:

• Cumulative links• Alternative links• Adversative links• Illative links

What is a Compound sentence?

One that contains at least one main and at least one subordinate clause.

What is a Complex sentence?

Also 3:• Adjective Clauses (Relative, Participle)• Noun Clauses (Typically ‘that’ & ‘what’

clauses but also others that are used as nouns)

• Adverb Clauses (Comparison, Time, Place, Conditional, Reason, Result, Purpose, Concession, Manner)

How many types of Subordinate Clauses are there?

• Adjective Clauses work like adjectives.• Relative Clauses refer to a term of the

main clause and are introduced by: who/ which/ that/ where/ when/ why/ what.

• Participle Clauses are relative ones that are shortened.

What do you know about i) Adjective Clauses & ii) Relative & Participle ones?

• Noun Clauses work like nouns, i.e. as subjects, objects or preposition complements

What do you know about Noun Clauses?

Adverb Clauses work like adverbs/ adverbials.

(Learn particular patterns, e.g. so that + subject + can/ may/ will + infinitive, by heart!)

Can you give the specifics of the various Adverb Clauses?

Yes. There is the independent type: Exclamatory sentences with

• What/ How• So/ Such• Negative-questions

Is there any other type of Clause/ Sentence?