Prof.

Marcelo F Videtta

Grammar I

Imperative

1st Person 2nd Person 3rd Person

Without subject Open the door.

With subject Without You open the Someone open
LET door. the door.
With Let me open the Let someone
LET door. open the door.
Let’s open the
door.

NB: Let is known as grammatical LET. The subject is in the accusative case.

Negation: The syntax of the verb TO BE

He isn’t / is not intelligent.

The verb TO BE is the main verb of the sentence. Remember that it is always defined

as a functional category.

Syntactic Analysis

Second Functional Layer

Ø He isn’t / is not intelligent.

H (C)
[Decl]
[+ Fin] C (TP)
CP

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First Functional Layer and Semantic Core

He [Ø + be] is not / -n’t be intelligent.

H (T)
Abstract Tense Affix +
Spec / (D) Functional Verb H (V) C / PCs (A)
[Masc] Copulative Verb Polarity Marker / Copulative Verb [Stative]
[Sing] [+Fin] Operator [- Fin] [Gradable]
[3rd] [- Past] (ADV) Infinitive [Inherent]
[Nom] [EPP] Clitic C (VP)
Subject Predicate
TP

Subcategorisation frame of intelligent: A [-- ]

Multi-word Verbs

1- Prepositional Verb

He is looking into the matter.

He is looking into the matter.

V
[-Fin]
Present
Participle P
H (Prepositional Verb)
MonoTV C / DO
H (T) C (VP)
Subject Predicate

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2- Phrasal Verb

They have fallen out.

They have fallen out.

V
[- Fin]
Perfect Past
Participle ADV PART
C (Phrasal Verb)
H (T) Unergative Verb
Subject Predicate

He put the jacket on.

He Ø put the jacket on.

V
Affix Hopping
Affix
Attachemnet
[+ Fin] ADV PART
H (Phrasal H (Phrasal
Verb) Verb)
Mono TV C / DO MonoTV
H (T) C (VP)
Subject Predicate

NB: The VP has a discontinuous H.

3- Phrasal-Prepositional Verb

He cannot put up with her behaviour.

He can -not put up with her behaviour.

V
[- Fin] ADV
Infinitive PART P
Polarity H (Phrasal-Prepositional Verb)
Marker MonoTV C / DO
H (T) C (VP)
Subject Predicate

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Passive (Part II)

1- Prepositional Passive

The matter is being looked into.

NB: The predicator is a prepositional verb. What we need to do here is the

Movement Operation.

2- Get-passive

Pat got bitten by a snake.

NB1: This type of passive describes a situation where the subject-referent is

involved in bringing the situation about, or where there is an adverse or beneficial

effect on the subject-referent.

NB2: This structure is informal.

NB3: GET requires DO-support.

The Grammar of TO

Let’s explore the difference between infinitival to and prepositional to. Have a look at

the following sentences, paying special attention to the complements of the word to:

(1) Many people want the government to [change course].

(2) He went to [the police].

(3) He objects to [spending so much money on a T.V. set]

After having had a close look at these different sentences, answer the following

questions:

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a- What is the category of the complement of to in each example in (1)?

b- What is the category of the complement of to in each example in (2)?

c- Does the word to in (1) above have intrinsic semantic content or is it a dummy

constituent devoid of semantic meaning?

d- What about to in (2)?

e- Which to can be modified by right/straight and is therefore a preposition?

f- Look at sentence (3). Which to permits a gerundive complement?

Try to answer this question omitting the complements of the two different to’s in (4).

(4) Do you want to go to the cinema?

g- Does infinitival to permit ellipsis (i.e. omission) of its complement?

h- Does prepositional to permit ellipsis (i.e. omission) of its complement?

SUMMARY:

Infinitival to Prepositional to

Category Tense (T) Preposition (P)

Functional category Lexical category
Type of Infinitive (VP) DP
complement
Meaning A dummy constituent devoid of Intrinsic semantic content
semantic meaning
Modification by Ø TO can be modified by adverbs
intensifiers?
such as right or straight

Gerundive NO YES
complement? [It is followed by an infinitive.]
I am looking forward to hearing

from you soon.

Ellipsis Infinitival to permits ellipsis Prepositional to does not.

(i.e. omission) of its
complement.

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The Adjective

a) Syntactic classification of adjectives

Both attributive and predicative: The A does not change

the meaning and characterise the referent. (Inherent)
an old man = the man is old
Downtoners (they
Central adjectives denote a lowering effect)
a slight effort
Amplifiers (they denote
a heightening effect)
Intensifying a complete victory
adjectives a complete fool

Emphasisers (they
denote a general
heightening effect)
Do not
a real hero
characterise the
Limiter adjectives (they particularise
Attributive only referent of the
the reference)
noun directly.
the main problem
(Non-inherent)
Adverbial adjectives
my late uncle
Denominal adjectives
atomic bomb

They refer to a Health or lack of health

temporary The man is unwell.
Predicative only
condition. Adjectives followed by complements
(Non-inherent) Peter is fond of music.

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b) Semantic classification of adjectives

Stative Dynamic
 Adjectives denoting a state or  Adjectives under the control of those
condition which is considered who possess them
permanent  Used with progressive aspect
 Imperative allowed
Gradable Non-gradable
 Adjectives denoting different levels  Stative adjectives which are
of the quality technical (in general, denominal
 All dynamic adjectives adjectives)
 Adjectives denoting provenance
Inherent Non-inherent
 Adjective denoting an attribute or  Not related to the standard
quality of the noun  Adjectives which are either
 Central adjectives attributively used or predicatively
used.

Homework

Part I: Analyse the following sentences semantically and syntactically.

1- The old lady could hear the rumble of distant thunder.

2- Mary made up an entertaining story, but the naughty children didn’t like it.

Part II: Analyse the following sentences and solve the possible problems they might

present.

1- Why are you so tired?

2- Who has called the police?

3- Who loves Juliet?

4- Who does Juliet love?

5- Did he read her note?

6- How old he is!