Sentence Structure and Grammatical Functions

Start with sentence structure

Begin with the note on syntax for an introduction to how words and clauses are arranged in sentences. It includes simple and compound sentence structures. Then move to a Syntax mind map that outlines phrases, clauses and sub-clauses alongside sentence parts such as heads, modifiers and determiners.

As you move between the note and the map, look for the terms that appear in each. Use them to describe how the examples in the note are put together.

Explore grammatical functions

The mind map on functions brings together subjects, heads, complements, predicates and adjuncts. The map on complements and subcategorization restrictions includes subject complements, with examples of nouns and adjectives that describe or rename a subject.

For a closer look at predicates, use The compound verbal predicate and The compound nominal predicate. The verbal predicate map includes phasal and modal predicates, with examples associated with beginning, duration and repetition.

Use maps and questions together

Syntax Map brings together syntactic categories, phrase structure, constituent structure, complements and structural ambiguity. Use it to connect terms from the other maps. The flashcard deck on parts of the sentence offers questions about the hierarchy of grammar and relationships between parts.

There are no quizzes listed on this page, but a free account lets you make your own. Write questions from a map, answer them without looking, and return to the map to check the connections you missed.

Place the topic in the unit

Sentence Structure and Grammatical Functions is a section of the Syntax and Grammar unit in Linguistics and philology. The resources offer different ways to work through this section, from an introductory note to detailed maps of sentence functions.

Pick a map and follow a term from the overview to a more focused resource.