Prof.

Marcelo F Videtta

Grammar I

Homework

Lesson 6.3: Do the following sentences contain any adverbial adjuncts? If so, what

type are they?

1) Lucy keeps the money in a box.

No Adverbial Adjunct but Adverbial Complement (PP). «in a box» is an

argument selected by the predicator «keep».

2) He did it because of her insistence.

Adverbial Adjunct of Reason (PP)

3) She kissed her mother on the platform.

Adverbial Adjunct of Place (PP)

4) I have often told them to relax.

Adverbial Adjunct of Frequency (ADV)

5) Although he is poor, he is happy.

Adverbial Adjunct of Concession (Adverbial Clause)

NB: We express the opposite of what is expected

6) He is poor but he is happy.

No adverbial adjunct.

7) The match will be played in spite of the rain.

Adverbial Adjunct of Concession (PP)

8) The match will be played although it is raining.

Adverbial Adjunct of Concession (Adverbial Clause)

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Semantic Analysis

Propositions Semantic Roles

1- The proposition is identified with the The predicator (lexical category) assigns

semantic content of the sentence. roles to its arguments. These roles are

2- The proposition may be: Semantic /Thematic /Theta () roles.

a- Stative

b- Dynamic a- Agent

 Animate entity
STATES
 Causer of the event
A state is a situation that holds, or
 Feature of volition or causation
exists, without change, for some time.
present
States have duration; they may last for a
 Verbs of attention
long or short period of time.
b- Experiencer
a- BE (permanent characteristic /
 Animate entity
temporary states)
 This -role occurs with:
NB: the nature of the adjective will
1- Modality verbs /adjectives
give us information about the type of

proposition. expressing volition/emotions.

b- Current Copulas (These verbs 2- Modality verbs /adjectives

expressing cognition.
denote a state of affair): look, taste,

feel, seem. (See perception)  The entity affected by a

c- Verbs of perception. (No energy or psychological verb

will identified with the situation): see, c- Possessor

hear, feel. The entity that owns or that lacks sth

d- Modality Verbs d- External Causer

1- They express emotions.  Inanimate entity

VOLITION: like, love, detest, hate,  Unintentional cause of the event is

want, need, etc.
involved.

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Propositions Semantic Roles

2- They express knowledge or lack of e- Originator / Initiator

knowledge.
 Animate or inanimate entity
COGNITION: believe, know, think,
expect, etc.  It occurs with verbs of emission.

* * *
EVENTS
f- Patient
An event is a situation that has an
 Animate entity
internal structure; i.e. we can identify
 The entity is affected by the
stages.
action.
a- Activity Verbs: drink, eat, play, read,
g- Affected Object / Affectum
etc.
 Inanimate entity
IMPERFECTIVE ASPECT: The action
 The entity existed before the
is viewed in progress.
action was performed.
I am reading.
h- Effected Object / Effectum / Resultant
b- Momentary Verbs: jump, sneeze,
 Inanimate entity
cough, tap, etc.
 The entity did not exist before the
IMPERFECTIVE ASPECT: The action
action was performed.
denotes a series of events.
 It is the result of the action
I am jumping.
i- Locative Object
c- Transitional-Event Verbs: die, arrive,
The object expresses the location and
stop, land.
the verb absorbs the preposition
IMPERFECTIVE ASPECT: The entity

is approaching a change of state.  The man jumped (over) the fence.

I am dying. j- Theme

d- Verbs of attention (These events are  Entity characterised (BE / Current

or Resulting Copula + adjective)
done voluntarily): look (at), listen (to),
 The concrete entity is located
taste, etc. somewhere.
 The concrete entity undergoes

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Propositions Semantic Roles

e- Resulting Copulas (Inchoative motion or change of state.

Verbs): become, grow, turn, go, etc.  The concrete entity defined as the
source of the undergoing
f- Process Verbs: change, turn.
emotions.
 The abstract entity is
STANCE VERBS:
metaphorically located in the
a- Stative Verbs mind. (Theme/proposition)

They denote position or location.

* * *
I sit at the front. (permanent position)
k- Recipient or goal
I am sitting at the front. (temporary
l- Beneficiary (Intended recipient)
position)

b- Dynamic Verbs * * *

They denote a change of state. They m- Locative

are always accompanied by an Prepositional phrase that expresses

adverbial particle. location.

Sit down.

Examples: Examples:

I detest pasta. I detest pasta.

Predicator: detest (two-place verb) Predicator: detest (two-place verb)

Arguments: I, pasta Arguments: I, pasta

Argument structure of DETEST: <1, 2> Argument structure of DETEST: <1, 2>

Proposition: Stative. The verb «detest» -Grid of DETEST: experiencer, theme

is a modality verb expressing volition. Proposition: Stative. The verb «detest» is

a modality verb expressing volition.

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Propositions Semantic Roles

The old man is dying. The old man is dying.

Predicator: die (one-place verb) Predicator: die (one-place verb)

Argument: the old man Argument: the old man

Argument structure of DIE: <1> Argument structure of DIE: <1>

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «die» is -Grid of DIE: theme

a transitional-event verb. Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «die» is a

transitional-event verb.

Susan is intelligent. Susan is intelligent.

Predicator: intelligent (one-place Predicator: intelligent (one-place

adjective) adjective)

Argument: Susan Argument: Susan

Argument structure of INTELLIGENT: <1> Argument structure of INTELLIGENT: <1>

Proposition: Stative. The verb «TO BE» -Grid of INTELLIGENT: theme

denotes a permanent characteristic Proposition: Stative. The verb «TO BE»

(intelligent). denotes a permanent characteristic

(intelligent).

Test to tell DYNAMIC VERBS from STATIVE VERBS

1- Dynamic verbs can be combined with the imperfective aspect.

2- They can be used in the imperative.

3- They accept adverbial of manner.

4- They can be pronominalised with DO SO.

5- They can become the focus of a pseudo-cleft sentence.

6- T hey can be used as complements of the verbs: persuade or command.

7- They accept the negation of permission: MAY NOT

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NB: Verbs that change their meaning in continuous forms

Verb [Stative] [Dynamic]

Appear Sarah appears confused. My favourite singer is appearing at

= Sarah seems confused the jazz club tonight.
= My favourite singer is giving a
performance at the jazz club
tonight.

Be Bob is American. Bob is being very rude.

= Bob is a citizen of America. = Bob is behaving very rudely.
Usually he is not rude.

Expect I expect she’ll pass the exam. We are expecting guests to the
= I believe she’ll pass the exam dinner tonight.
= I am waiting for them to arrive.

Feel This coat feels nice and warm. John’s feeling much better now.
= This is your perception of the = John’s health is improving.
coat’s qualities.

Have I have a car. I am having lunch now.

= I possess/own a car. = I am eating lunch now.

Hear I don’t hear the music playing. Our manager will be hearing our
= I hear with my ears. presentation today.
= Our manager will be listening to
our presentation today.

Look Bernard looks healthy. I was looking at the rain.

Bernard has this particular I was watching the rain.
appearance.

See I see why that is a problem. I am seeing my friends in the

= I understand why that is a evening.
problem. = I am meeting my friends in the
evening.

Smell That perfume smells good. The boy is smelling the flowers.
= That perfume has a good scent. = The boy is sniffing at the flowers.

Taste This soup tastes great. The chef is tasting the soup.
= This soup has a great taste. = The chef is tasting the soup
to find out what flavour it has.

Think I think that is a great idea! I am thinking about my future.

= My opinion is that is a great idea. = I am considering my future.

Weigh The man weighs 75kg. The man is weighing the fruit.
= The man's weight is 75kg. = The man is measuring the
weight of the fruit.

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Homework (Part I)

Lesson 7.2: Analyse the following sentences from a semantic point of view:

1) Can you taste the food to see if it has enough salt?

Predicator: taste (two-place verb)

Arguments: you, the food

Argument structure of TASTE: <1, 2>

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «taste» is a verb of attention.

Predicator: have (two-place verb)

Arguments: it, enough salt

Argument structure of HAVE: <1, 2>

Proposition: Stative. The verb «have» denotes a description. The verb «have»

means «include» or «contain».

2) Jack ran a race.

Predicator: run (two-place verb)

Arguments: Jack, a race

Argument structure of RUN: <1, 2>

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «run» denotes an activity.

3) Jack won the race.

Predicator: win (two-place verb)

Arguments: Jack, the race

Argument structure of WIN: <1, 2>

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «win» denotes a change of state. The verb is also

a transitional-event verb.

4) Lucy is rude.

Predicator: rude (one-place adjective)

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Argument: Lucy

Argument structure of RUDE: <1>

Proposition: Stative. The verb «to be» denotes a state. The adjective «rude»

denotes a permanent characteristic.

5) Lucy is being rude.

Predicator: rude (one-place adjective)

Argument: Lucy

Argument structure of RUDE: <1>

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «to be» denotes a temporary state or situation.

Lesson 7.3: Analyse the following sentences from a semantic point of view:

1) I’m learning Japanese.

Predicator: learn (two-place verb)

Arguments: I, Japanese

Argument structure of LEARN: <1, 2>

-Grid of LEARN: agent, theme

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «learn» denotes a cognitive process.

2) I know Japanese.

Predicator: know (two-place verb)

Arguments: I, Japanese

Argument structure of KNOW: <1, 2>

-Grid of KNOW: experiencer, theme

Proposition: Stative. The verb «know» is a modality verb expressing cognition.

3) I know Peter.

Predicator: know (two-place verb)

Arguments: I, Peter

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Argument structure of KNOW: <1, 2>

-Grid of KNOW: experiencer, theme

Proposition: Stative. The verb «know» is a modality verb expressing cognition.

4) I met him at a party

Predicator: meet (two-place verb)

Arguments: I, him

Argument structure of MEET: <1, 2>

-Grid of MEET: agent, patient

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «meet» denotes a cognitive process.

THE THETA-CRITERION

The one-to-one relation between thematic roles and arguments is referred to the theta-

criterion.

a- Each argument must be associated with one and only one theta role.

b- Each theta-role must be associated with one and only one argument.

NB: Manner of motion

Verbs indicating manner of motion

[I] run/swim/drive/jump at the weekend. [I] run / drive / jump [to the park].

→ The verbs denote activities → The verbs denote manner of movement.

(A → B)

→ one-place verbs → two-place verbs

→ : agent → : theme

: locative

We perform the action voluntarily. The focus of attention is the movement.

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 Prof. Marcelo F Videtta

Homework (Part II)

Lesson 8.1: Do the semantic analysis of the following sentences:

1) The man made a fire.

Predicator: make (two-place verb)

Arguments: the man, a fire

Argument structure of MAKE: <1, 2>

-Grid of MAKE: agent, effected object / resultant

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «make» denotes causative meaning.

2) John gave Peter a radio.

Predicator: give (three-place verb)

Arguments: John, Peter, a radio

Argument structure of GIVE: <1, 2, 3>

-Grid of GIVE: agent, recipient, theme

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «give» is a verb of transaction.

3) Peter was given a radio.

Predicator: give (three-place verb) (passive sentence)

Arguments: (someone), Peter, a radio

Argument structure of GIVE: <(1,) 2, 3>

-Grid of GIVE: (agent,) recipient, theme

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «give» is a verb of transaction.

4) He gave the door a kick.

Predicator: give (three-place verb)

Arguments: he, the door, a kick

Argument structure of GIVE: <1, 2, 3>

-Grid of GIVE: agent, affected object, effected object

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Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «give» denotes a momentary situation.

NB: Have a look at this alternative.

He kicked the door.

Predicator: kick (two-place verb)

Arguments: he, the door

Argument structure of KICK: <1, 2>

-Grid of KICK: agent, affected object

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «give» denotes a momentary situation.

5) The demonstration was yesterday.

Predicator: yesterday (one-place adverb)

Argument: the demonstration

Argument structure of YESTERDAY: <1>

-Grid of YESTERDAY: eventive

Proposition: Stative. The verb «be» expresses a temporary situation.

6) Tom was sure that Mary had stolen the money.

Predicator: sure (two-place adjective)

Argument: Tom, that Mary had stolen the money

Argument structure of SURE: <1, 2>

-Grid of SURE: experiencer, theme/proposition

Proposition: Stative. The adjective «sure» is a modality adjective expressing

cognition.

Predicator: steal (two-place verb)

Argument: Mary, the money

Argument structure of STEAL: <1, 2>

-Grid of STEAL: agent, theme

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «steal» denotes causative meaning.

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 Prof. Marcelo F Videtta

Lesson 8.3: Do the semantic analysis of the following sentences:

1) We loved the film.

Predicator: love (two-place verb)

Arguments: we, the film

Argument structure of LOVE: <1, 2>

-Grid of LOVE: experiencer, theme

Proposition: Stative. The verb «love» is a modality verb expressing emotion.

2) We went to the theatre yesterday.

Predicator: go (two-place verb)

Arguments: we, to the theatre

Argument structure of GO: <1, 2>

-Grid of GO: theme, locative

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «go» denotes directed motion.

3) John was working at that time.

Predicator: work (one-place verb)

Arguments: John

Argument structure of WORK: <1>

-Grid of STEAL: agent

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «work» denotes an activity.

4) She knitted me a sweater.

Predicator: knit (three-place verb)

Arguments: she, me, a sweater

Argument structure of KNIT: <1, 2, 3>

-Grid of KNIT: agent, beneficiary, effected object or resultant

Proposition: Dynamic. The verb «knit» denotes an activity.

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Lesson 8.2: Account for the ungrammaticality of:

1) *John believed what I said but Mary didn’t do so.

The modality verb «believe» is a stative verb. Therefore, it cannot be

pronominalised with the expression DO SO.

2) *John carefully knew Greek.

The modality verb «know» is a stative verb. Therefore, it does not accept adverbs

of manner.

3) *Yesterday it was my birthday.

«My birthday was yesterday» or «Yesterday was my birthday». This is a case of

double subject.

THEME: Summary

One-place verb verb expressing a [Peter] died.

change of state The entity undergoes a change of
state.
Two-place verb modality verb I think [that is he coming to town].
expressing cognition The abstract entity is metaphorically
located in the mind.
modality verb I like [pasta].
expressing emotions The entity is defined as the stimulus.
verb of spatial [I] live in Palermo.
configuration The entity is located somewhere
verb of movement [I] went to the cinema.
The entity undergoes motion.
Three-place verb verbs of transaction I gave Peter [the money].
or communication The entity undergoes motion.
One-place adjective [The house] is expensive.
The entity is characterised.
Two-place adjective I am afraid [of spiders]
The entity is defined as the stimulus.
Two-place preposition [Peter] is at the cinema
The entity is located somewhere.

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