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Function-Form Interface: 20072040 Kwon Wonmi

This document discusses the relationship between linguistic form and function in English grammar. It provides examples of different types of subjects and objects that can take phrasal, clausal, infinitive, and participial forms rather than traditional noun phrases. These include prepositional phrase, adjective phrase, adverbial phrase, and finite and nonfinite clause subjects. It also examines direct objects that can be phrasal, clausal, infinitive, and participial structures. The document aims to show that there is not always a one-to-one mapping between grammatical function and form in English sentences.

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Wonmi Kwon
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15 views

Function-Form Interface: 20072040 Kwon Wonmi

This document discusses the relationship between linguistic form and function in English grammar. It provides examples of different types of subjects and objects that can take phrasal, clausal, infinitive, and participial forms rather than traditional noun phrases. These include prepositional phrase, adjective phrase, adverbial phrase, and finite and nonfinite clause subjects. It also examines direct objects that can be phrasal, clausal, infinitive, and participial structures. The document aims to show that there is not always a one-to-one mapping between grammatical function and form in English sentences.

Uploaded by

Wonmi Kwon
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Function-Form Interface

20072040 Kwon Wonmi


 noone-to-one relationship between
function and form

NPs → Subject, Object...


Subject → NP, PP, clauses...
 Phrasal Subjects
 1) NP
 [The hedgehog] ate the cream cake.
 2) PP
 [Under the stairs] was a safe area to be
during the war.
 3) AP
 [Restless] is what I would call him.
 4) AdvP
 [Cautiously] is how I would suggest you
do it.
 Clausal Subjects
 Finite clause
 [Because he is generous] doesn't mean

that he is rich. (introduced by a


conjunction)
 [What the terrorists said] puzzled the

police. (introduced by a Wh-word)


 Nonfinite clause
 1) To-infinitive clauses
 (1) with a Subject of their own
 [For Janet to go to College] would be a good
idea.
 (2) without a Subject of their own
 [To be a good teacher] is more difficult than
people think.
 (3) without a Subject of their own, introduced
by a Wh-word
 [What to ask for permission] seems quite
clear.
 2) Bare infinitive clause
 ?[Party the night away] is a nice thing to do.

(rare, used informally)


 3) -ing participle clause
 (1) with a Subject of their own
 [Pete breaking the rules] is unacceptable.
 (2) without a Subject of their own
 [Going on holiday] always creates tensions.
 9) Small Clauses
 [The kitchen free of cockroaches] is a

welcome prospect.
 9) Small Clauses
 [The kitchen free of cockroaches] is a

welcome prospect.

<Research Question>
How about this sentence?
 The kitchen which is free of cockroaches is

a welcome prospect.
 9) Small Clauses

 A) The kitchen which is free of cockroaches


is a welcome prospect.
 B) The kitchen which is free of cockroaches

is rare.

 The kitchens free of cockroaches are a


welcome prospect. (….awkward)
 Eric lost his keys yesterday.
 -Predicate: Verb Phrase (lost his keys

yesterday)
 -Predicator: main verb (lost)
 Phrasal Direct Objects
 1) NP Monica admires [the President.]
 2) PP

The council rejected [behind the church.]


(locative phrase)
I prefer [before Easter.] (time span)
 Clausal Direct Objects
 Finite clause
 1) That-clause

The government believes [that the voters


are stupid.]
 2) Wh-clause

He knows [what she means.]


 Nonfinite clause
 1) To-infinitive clause
 (1) with a Subject of their own
 She imagined [the others to want promotion
also].
 (2) without a Subject of their own
 Gary wants [to leave].
 (3) without a Subject of their own,
introduced by a Wh-word
 He forget [what to say to the examiners].
 In the case of nonfinite Direct Object
clauses without a Subject, a Subject is
recoverable from the matrix clause.
e.g.) Gary wants [to leave].

 cf) [To be a good teacher] is more difficult


than people think.
 →a Subject of nonfinite Subject clauses is
recoverable from background knowledge.
 2) Bare infinitive clause (always contain a
Subject)
We saw [the sun rise]. (verbs of perception→
see, here..)
She made [her boyfriend cry]. (causative verbs→
make, let...)
 3) -ing participle clause

(1) with a Subject of their own


I heard [Jamie singing in the bath].
(2) without a Subject of their own
She abhors [eating meat].
 8) -ed participle clause (always contain a
Subject)
We had [the prisoners jailed].

9) Small Clause


Martin considers [Tim a creep].
Larry judges [the Head of Department a
genius].

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