Summary: A Short Overview Of English Syntax

Read the summary and the most important questions on A SHORT OVERVIEW OF ENGLISH SYNTAX

• 1 1 SENTENCE AND CLAUSE

  This is a preview. There are 1 more flashcards available for chapter 1
  Show more cards here

• What are the two main types of sentences distinguished in grammar?

  There are two main types of sentences:
  

  1. CLAUSAL SENTENCE - single clause form.
  2. COMPOUND SENTENCE - two or more COORDINATED clauses.

  • Example: "Sue went to London last week."
  • Example: "Sue went to London last week and her father went with her."

• What characterizes a compound sentence?

  A compound sentence consists of:
  

  1. Two or more clauses.
  2. Usually joined by a COORDINATOR (e.g., and, or, but).

  - Example: "We stayed at the hotel which you recommended."

• Why is the sentence "We stayed at the hotel which you recommended" classified as a clausal sentence?

  This sentence is classified as a clausal sentence because:
  

  1. It has a single larger clause.
  2. "which you recommended" is part of the noun phrase.

  - Noun phrase example: "the hotel which you recommended."

• What does the distinction between clausal and compound sentences imply about clauses and sentences?

  The distinction suggests that:
  

  1. A clause is a more basic unit than a sentence.
  2. Clauses are easier to identify than sentence boundaries in speech.

• 2 2 CANONICAL AND NON-CANONICAL CLAUSES

  This is a preview. There are 8 more flashcards available for chapter 2
  Show more cards here

• What are the two main categories of clauses mentioned in the text?

  - The two categories are:
  

  1. CANONICAL CLAUSES
  2. NON-CANONICAL CLAUSES

  - Canonical clauses are described directly, while non-canonical are described indirectly.

• What are the characteristics of canonical clauses?

  - Canonical clauses exhibit the following properties:
  

  1. Positive
  2. Declarative
  3. Main clauses
  4. Non-coordinate
  5. Active

• How do negative clauses differ from canonical clauses?

  - Negative clauses are non-canonical because:
  

  1. They lack the positive property.
  2. They differ in structure.
  3. They do not present information in the basic way.

• How can a clause be non-canonical without structural differences?

  - A clause may be non-canonical if:
  

  1. It lacks one or more properties of canonical clauses.
  2. Example: a subordinate clause may lack marking yet still be non-canonical.

• What happens if a clause lacks multiple canonical properties?

  - A clause with multiple non-canonical properties:
  

  1. Is negative.
  2. Is interrogative.
  3. Is passive.

  - Example: "Wasn't the key taken by the secretary?"

• Why is the analysis of clauses clearer when starting with canonical clauses?

  - Starting with canonical clauses allows for:
  

  1. Direct description of the most basic structure.
  2. Easier understanding of differences in non-canonical clauses.