[Haizz, this week is extremely busy and It takes me a while to get enough energy to finish this chapter and write this entry. My experience when finishing the exercise of this entry is that you should spend time reviewing all the three chapter III, IV and V before you go further]
This chapter deals with three kinds of phrases : Adjective Phrases, Adverb Phrases and Prepositional Phrases. Let us see what they are.
About Adjective Phrases, like Noun Phrases and Verb Phrases, Adjective Phrases get their names from their heads that are adjectives. An adjective is the minimal form of an adjective phrase and can be both pre-modified and post-modified.
In pre-modification, an adjective may only be pre-modified by an adverb. Usually, the adverb belongs to the limited set of 'intensifying' adverbs like : very, quite, somewhat, rather, extremely, fairly, highly. Other kinds are also allowed.
Post modification is sometimes called the 'complement' of the adjective. There are three kinds of complement occuring in adjective phrases:
- Prepositional Phrase
- An infinitive clause: this is the kind of clause introduced by an infinitive form of verb.
- A that clause : this kind of clause is introduced by the conjunction 'that'.
Adjectives vary in the kinds of complement that are possible after them. Many adjectives do not allow any kind of complement such as : big, blue, astute, sudden, tall. Some adjectives allow only one or two kinds of complement. For most adjectives, post-modification is optional; however, for a few, it is obligatory.
Adjective phrases have two functions: attributive function and predicative function
The attributive function is when adjectives or adjective phrases are found in the pre-modification of a noun phrase. Thus, it can be inferred that a pre-modifying adjective should be regarded as an adjective phrase. When an adjective (phrase) is functioning attributively, it
may not be followed by a complement.
The predicative function is when adjectives occurs after a linking verb (copula) eg. be, seem, sound, feel. Adjective phrase functioning predicatively does not obligatorily contain a complement.
The vast majority of adjectives may function attributively or predicatively. Of course, there are exceptions.
Next, we'll discuss Adverb Phrases.
Adverb Phrases have heads that are adverbs and the head is the minimal form of an adverb phrase. It is usual that an adverb can be pre-modified but no case of post-modification has been found. The pre-modifier can only be another adverb, usually belonging to the set of 'intensifying' adverbs. Other kinds may also function as pre-modifiers. This kind of pre-modifier appears to be either directly or indirectly an expression of personal evaluation.
Adverb phrases have three functions: Adjunct, Conjunct, and Disjunct.
Adjunct function is the main function of adverb phrases, providing circumstantial information about the action, process or event talked about in the clause in which they occur. Circumstantial information includes information about the place, time, manner, etc of the action, process, or event.
Conjunct function is performed by a limited set of adverbs or adverb phrases and the adverbs involved are not modified. Adverb phrases with this function serve to link one clause or sentence to another. They typically come first in a sentence, or at least early on, and in writing, are bounded by commas (besides, therefore, however, yet, moreover, thereupon, indeed).
The set of adverbs or adverb phrases take Disjunct function is also limited in number. Those with this function tends to occur initially in a sentence, as those with conjunct function do. This function refers to the expression of the speaker's opinion or attitude to what he is saying. Disjunct adverb phrases are not really constituents of the clause that they introduce. Adverb phrases functioning as disjuncts may be pre-modified. (frankly, seriously, honestly, candidly, bluntly, generally, personally)
Finally, Prepositional Phrases.
Unlike any of those kinds of phrase discussed, prepositional phrases do not have a head and thus do not have a minimal form consisting of just one word. A prepositional phrase is composed of a preposition and a noun phrase. Both of them are obligatory and neither may substitute for the whole phrase.
Prepositional phrases have a relational role. The most frequently expressed are space and time.
Space may be subdivided into location (in the kitchen) and direction (towards the beach).
Time may be subdivided into point of time (before the exam) and extent of time (for five days).
Other relations are : topic (about the pollution), purpose (the tool for opening the case), similarity (like his friend), instrument (with a pen), accompaniment (with a brown jacket).
Sometimes prepositions are used without specific meaning of this kind, when they are attached to particular verbs, adjectives or nouns. Here the prepositions have a purely syntactic relational function in relating a verb, adjective or noun to a following object or complement. It's almost meaningless, since it cannot be replaced by any other preposition. In fact, the preposition here is considered to be part of the verb and we (and linguists ^^) speak of 'prepositional verb'.
In conclusion, there are two kinds of prepositional phrase. The first kind represents circumstantial information about an action, process or event, indicating time, place, manner, reason, etc. and has a similar semantic and syntactic function to adverbs and adverb phrases (filling adjunct position in clause structure). The second one follows particular verbs and adjectives and occasionally nouns, as objects or complements. In this case, the noun is the kind that requires a specific preposition (eg. anxiety about, desire for, etc) ; rather than the more general post-modification of nouns by a prepositional phrase, eg. the man behind the wall. Nouns requiring specific prepositions and complements are usually derived from verbs.
Phew, this chapter is the last of the series about phrase. Next time, we'll talk about a broader aspect : CLAUSE.
This chapter deals with three kinds of phrases : Adjective Phrases, Adverb Phrases and Prepositional Phrases. Let us see what they are.
About Adjective Phrases, like Noun Phrases and Verb Phrases, Adjective Phrases get their names from their heads that are adjectives. An adjective is the minimal form of an adjective phrase and can be both pre-modified and post-modified.
In pre-modification, an adjective may only be pre-modified by an adverb. Usually, the adverb belongs to the limited set of 'intensifying' adverbs like : very, quite, somewhat, rather, extremely, fairly, highly. Other kinds are also allowed.
Post modification is sometimes called the 'complement' of the adjective. There are three kinds of complement occuring in adjective phrases:
- Prepositional Phrase
- An infinitive clause: this is the kind of clause introduced by an infinitive form of verb.
- A that clause : this kind of clause is introduced by the conjunction 'that'.
Adjectives vary in the kinds of complement that are possible after them. Many adjectives do not allow any kind of complement such as : big, blue, astute, sudden, tall. Some adjectives allow only one or two kinds of complement. For most adjectives, post-modification is optional; however, for a few, it is obligatory.
Adjective phrases have two functions: attributive function and predicative function
The attributive function is when adjectives or adjective phrases are found in the pre-modification of a noun phrase. Thus, it can be inferred that a pre-modifying adjective should be regarded as an adjective phrase. When an adjective (phrase) is functioning attributively, it
may not be followed by a complement.
The predicative function is when adjectives occurs after a linking verb (copula) eg. be, seem, sound, feel. Adjective phrase functioning predicatively does not obligatorily contain a complement.
The vast majority of adjectives may function attributively or predicatively. Of course, there are exceptions.
Next, we'll discuss Adverb Phrases.
Adverb Phrases have heads that are adverbs and the head is the minimal form of an adverb phrase. It is usual that an adverb can be pre-modified but no case of post-modification has been found. The pre-modifier can only be another adverb, usually belonging to the set of 'intensifying' adverbs. Other kinds may also function as pre-modifiers. This kind of pre-modifier appears to be either directly or indirectly an expression of personal evaluation.
Adverb phrases have three functions: Adjunct, Conjunct, and Disjunct.
Adjunct function is the main function of adverb phrases, providing circumstantial information about the action, process or event talked about in the clause in which they occur. Circumstantial information includes information about the place, time, manner, etc of the action, process, or event.
Conjunct function is performed by a limited set of adverbs or adverb phrases and the adverbs involved are not modified. Adverb phrases with this function serve to link one clause or sentence to another. They typically come first in a sentence, or at least early on, and in writing, are bounded by commas (besides, therefore, however, yet, moreover, thereupon, indeed).
The set of adverbs or adverb phrases take Disjunct function is also limited in number. Those with this function tends to occur initially in a sentence, as those with conjunct function do. This function refers to the expression of the speaker's opinion or attitude to what he is saying. Disjunct adverb phrases are not really constituents of the clause that they introduce. Adverb phrases functioning as disjuncts may be pre-modified. (frankly, seriously, honestly, candidly, bluntly, generally, personally)
Finally, Prepositional Phrases.
Unlike any of those kinds of phrase discussed, prepositional phrases do not have a head and thus do not have a minimal form consisting of just one word. A prepositional phrase is composed of a preposition and a noun phrase. Both of them are obligatory and neither may substitute for the whole phrase.
Prepositional phrases have a relational role. The most frequently expressed are space and time.
Space may be subdivided into location (in the kitchen) and direction (towards the beach).
Time may be subdivided into point of time (before the exam) and extent of time (for five days).
Other relations are : topic (about the pollution), purpose (the tool for opening the case), similarity (like his friend), instrument (with a pen), accompaniment (with a brown jacket).
Sometimes prepositions are used without specific meaning of this kind, when they are attached to particular verbs, adjectives or nouns. Here the prepositions have a purely syntactic relational function in relating a verb, adjective or noun to a following object or complement. It's almost meaningless, since it cannot be replaced by any other preposition. In fact, the preposition here is considered to be part of the verb and we (and linguists ^^) speak of 'prepositional verb'.
In conclusion, there are two kinds of prepositional phrase. The first kind represents circumstantial information about an action, process or event, indicating time, place, manner, reason, etc. and has a similar semantic and syntactic function to adverbs and adverb phrases (filling adjunct position in clause structure). The second one follows particular verbs and adjectives and occasionally nouns, as objects or complements. In this case, the noun is the kind that requires a specific preposition (eg. anxiety about, desire for, etc) ; rather than the more general post-modification of nouns by a prepositional phrase, eg. the man behind the wall. Nouns requiring specific prepositions and complements are usually derived from verbs.
Phew, this chapter is the last of the series about phrase. Next time, we'll talk about a broader aspect : CLAUSE.
- NHƯ ANH -
5 comments:
can you explain to me about head in the forms of phrases? e.g prepositional phrase as head, verb phrase as head etc.
Well, as far as I know, the term 'head' is only used within phrase, which means it is a part of a phrase. I have never heard of the case in which the head is a phrase. A verb phrase has a verb as its head, so do Noun phrase and Adj/Adv Phrase. Prep Phrase has no head, e.g. when you divide 'at the cinema' into 2 parts, 'at' is adverb and 'the cinema', of course, is a Noun phrase. Could you please tell me of what a verb phrase or Noun phrase or Adj/Adv phrase or Prep Phrase can be a head ? Thanks for your question.
I hope you are able to help me. I am trying to teach my students This sentence has me baffled: "During the night, the owls in the woods loudly shrieked for their mates." "in the woods" answers the adverb question, "where?" But the answer book says that this phrase is adjectival. Is that because it is right after the noun? However, adverb phrases my be placed anywhere. It is a stretch to say that it answers the adjective question, "which ones." How am I to teach my students to discern? Thank you.
^^ oh, then you may be confused when I say that "in the wood" is a prepositional phrase. If you read the prepositional phrase section in this article, you will find that this phrase's structure fits perfectly with the description of a Prepositional Phrase (prep. + NP). As I wrote in my entry, "Prepositional phrases have a relational role. The most frequently expressed are space and time.
Space may be subdivided into location (in the kitchen) and direction (towards the beach)."
In your case, this prepositional phrase functions as a post-modifier to the Noun Phrase "the owls" (You may want to take a brief look at my older entry about Noun phrase).
I hope this may somehow help you.
Thanks for reading :D
Thank you. Unfortunately, part of my second sentence was somehow deleted. I am teaching prepositional phrases to my students. (10-12 years old) I'm struggling with how to give them "rules" to help them in identification of adverb and adjective prepositional phrases. The general rule is that an adjective prepositional phrase follows the noun it modifies. However, upon further research I came across this sentence: "The baseball catcher moved his hand inside his glove; and the pitcher saw the signal easily." (Pearson Adult Learning Center.)"inside the glove" is adverbial, even though it follows the noun. (according to Pearson) I'm thinking I'm just going to go with the rule and tell them there are exceptions. I'll leave the exceptions to the upper grammar teachers.
Sorry I'm anonymous. I'm overseas and left all my id and passwords in the States.
Post a Comment