Syntax - přednášky

Syntax – přednáška

25. 9. 2018

Syntactic characterization of clause elements

The subject

• Typically a noun phrase – noun, pronoun (in the subjective form HE)

The verb

• Always realized by a verb phrase

The object

• Typically a noun phrase – noun, pronoun (in the objective form – HIM)

• The object may generally (there must be also some exception when it is impossible) become the subject of the corresponding passive clause

  • We changed the plan. (We = subject, change = verb, plan = object) → The plan was changed. (Plan = subject, was changed = verb)

  • Sometimes it can’t be changed – I have a house. → nelze změnit na A house is had by me.

The complement

• Typically a noun phrase or an adjective phrase. – He is clever

• Does not have a corresponding passive subject. – He is a teacher. He is nice. – It can’t be subject.

The adverbial

• Normally an adverb phrase, prepositional phrase, noun phrase or a clause

• Prepositional phrase – in the afternoon

• Noun phrase – yesterday

• Clause – We met when we studied at university

• Optional/obligatory

Ambiguities - nejednoznačnost

• She made a good model.

  • It can be: S V C

  • It can also be: S V O

• I found her an entertaining partner

  • It can be: S V O C → she is funny

  • It can be: S V O O → Some man is funny.

• He is cooking his family dinner

  • It can be: S V O

  • It can be: S V O O

Clause/sentence parsing

• The man bought a raincoat.

  • S V O

• The man who stole the money bought a raincoat with a warm lining.

  • There are attributes (who stole the money AND with a warm lining) – they are not basic elements

  • S V O

• That tall girl is Angela Hunt.

  • S V C

• The tall girl standing in the corner who became angry because you waved to her when you entered is Angela Hunt.

  • S V C (attribute - standing in the corner who became angry because you waved to her when you entered)

• Several people in my class have bought transistor radios with their scholarship money.

  • S (several people in my class) V (have bought) O (transistor radios) A (with their scholarship money)

HOMEWORK: Parse the following sentences in terms of sentence elements and word classes:

Many people have called recent events in Central Europe a turning-point in the history of the world.

SVOC

• 4 sentence elements

• Verb (have called) – extensive – complex transitive verb

Financial reward is not the first objective.

SVC

• 3 sentence elements

• Verb (is not) – extensive – monotransitive verb

New figures from the Lord Chancellor´s department show that the deal has had no impact.

SVO

• 3 sentence elements, 2 clauses

• Verb (show) – extensive – monotransitive verb

• Object - Expressed by means of the clause (Finite)

Moves to end the whole matter have proved a spectacular failure.

SVC

• 3 sentence elements

• Verb (have proved) – extensive – monotransitive verb

Many teachers find that they can save considerable sums of money while working abroad.

SVOA

• 4 sentence elements, 3 clauses

• Verb (find) – extensive – monotransitive verb

• Object – expressed by means of the clause (Finite)

• Adverbial (optional) – expressed by means of the clause (Non-finite)