Syntax III

Question 1

The syntax of English

Answer 1

= set of rules that express generalizations about what trees are possible in the language - what sentence types are grammatical
= phrase structure rules

Question 2

phrase structure rules =

Answer 2

NP —> D N (the dogs)
= say this rule generates the tree for the dogs

Question 3

heads and modifiers

Answer 3

Phrase to left of arrow = of same category as an intent to right of arrow, = called head of phrase (s= exception)
N= head of NP
Other elements to right fo arrow = dependents

Question 4

the dogs ate the bone = set of phrase structure rules

Answer 4

S —> NP VP
NP —> D N
VP —> V NP
Each rule generates different part of tree

Question 5

endocentricity

Answer 5

PSR FOR S
Psrs that include head = endocentric
Psrs that dont = exocentric (S)
- S, can be argued to ahve head, but complex

Question 6

some modifiers are optional

Answer 6

some are not always option
Sometimes optional with plural form…
Denote with parentheses

Question 7

np can also contain adjective

Answer 7

NP —> (D) (A) N

Question 8

Noun can be modified by pp

Answer 8

need to revise rules
PP —> P NP
NP —> (D) (A) N (PP)

Question 9

rule for vps

Answer 9

VP —> V (NP)
Can also ahve additional phrases in them = pp
Can test with pronominalization
VPs= can be embedded

Question 10

complements vs adjuncts

Answer 10

2 main ways how elements can combine
- XP —> X YP (head + complement)
Sister of head, constituent formed with head (one constituent together)
- XP —> XP YP (phrase + adjunct)
Sister of phrase, additional, can leave out - optional, can be constituent on own

Question 11

summary of PSRs

Answer 11

S —> NP VP
NP —> (A) (A) N (PP)
PP —> P NP
VP —> V (NP)
VP —> VP PP

Question 12

complements

Answer 12

Some Verbs take obligatory complements/arguments - transitive, distransitive verbs
Other verbs can’t take complements = intransitive verbs

Question 13

adjuncts

Answer 13

Never obligatory
Can have as many as like
Generally can freely order adjuncts with respect to one another
Pp can be freely ordered, some adverbs have particular ordering

Question 14

Ordering of complements and adjuncts

Answer 14

Complements cannot be freely ordered with respect to one another or with respect to adjuncts