Kernel clause structure

same colour: same level (or step as abovel

· SUBJECT – NP., noun or a pronoun that is doing the action in the sentence or performing the
verb

· PREDICATE– VP, a verb an all of the parts related to the verb (verb group)

· PREDICATOR – main verb in a sentence

· COMPLEMENT – constituent that describes the verb

· ADJUNCT – part that can be omitted without affecting the meaning

· Cx – something you cannot omit because it’s important but it can’t be classified into a category

· OBJECT – N or NP, it receives verbal action, related to the verb

· DIRECT OBJECT – N or NP; directly related to the verb; it answers the questions what? or
whom? For example; Erin has a cat. Has(predicator – main verb) what does she have? -> a cat ->
OD

· Direct object occurs in transitive clauses (monotransitive, ditransitive, complex transitive)

· INDIRECT OBJECT – pronouns, to whom? For whom? For what? E.g. Emily handed the teacher
the homework. Subject: Emily Predicator: Handed to whom? (indirect object) the teacher what?
The homework (direct object)

· Indirect object cannot exist in a sentence that does not have a direct object.

· PREDICATIVE COMPLEMENT – doesn’t receive any verbal action, NP or AdjP

· OBJECTIVE PREDICATIVE COMPLEMENT – related to the object; a noun, adjective or
phrase that adds information about the DIRECT OBJECT; succeeds the direct object

· EXAMPLES:

They call Andrea genius.

They find her intelligent.

Many consider her admiring and admirable.

· SUBJECTIVE PREDICATIVE COMPLEMENT – related to the subject; a noun that “renames”

the subject, that is equal to the subject; it can be an adjective that “describes the subject”; it
succeeds the “linking verb” which links it to its subject

· EXAMPLES:

· Andrea is a teacher. Andrea = a teacher (renaming the subject)

She is intelligent. Who? She. (describing the subject)

She is respected and admired by her students.

Is the constituent relatively freely omissible?

Yes -> it’s an adjunct

No -> is it a complement

Does the complement code a participant of an event?

Yes -> it’s an object

No -> it is a predicative complement or Cx

Predicative complement vs Cx

Does it describe the subject (or the object)?

Yes -> it is a predicative complement

No -> it is Cx

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