Grammar and Syntax

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Phrases;

one or more words that function as a unit in a sentence.

Usually contains a head word accompanied by modifiers (describe/give more info about the head word.

There are pre modifiers and post modifiers.

Noun phrases;

noun/pronoun is the head word

many have adjective that acts as a pre modifier

can be short or very lengthy is many pre/post modifiers used.

Clauses;

has to contain a verb phrase and one or more other types of phrase.

VP can be a single word or a few if auxiliary verbs are used (might, will, should)

five elements that can be combined in various ways to form clauses

1) subject; performs the action described, usually comes before the verb and normally a noun phrase

2) verb; second element

3) object; follows the verb normally referring to 'who/what has something been done to'

4) complement; gives more info about the subject or object

5) adverbial; optional extra. provides info about time, place or manner

Simple Sentence;

only one clause = one main verb and a combination of some/all other elemtents.

Compound Sentence;

two simple sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction

2 halves are of equal importance

Complex Sentences;

one or more clauses is of lesser importance than the main clause

joined by subordinating conjunction

subordinate clause can't stand on its own

sub cons; because, when, who, after, although, as, except, in order, so that.

Word Order;

used by writers to achieve particular effect.

foregrounding = usual word order in changed to draw attention to a particular part of the sentence

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