Linguistic grammar homework.
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slidesch7b.pptxChapter 7: Adjective Phrases
I. Structure of the Adj. Phrase
A. Structure
B. Diagnostics
1. Movement
2. Pronominalization
3. Coordination
II. Adj. Phrase Positions
A. Prenominal Position
B. After Linking verbs
C. Postnominal Position
I. Structure of the Adj. Phrase
A. Structure
Rule: AP => (Deg) – A
AP
Deg A
very smart
B. Diagnostics
The main point of diagnostics:
How do we know whether or not two (or more) words form a larger unit (a phrase)?
B. Diagnostics
1. Movement: only constituents undergo movement:
Freddie is very generous.
Freddie is HOW generous?
How generous is Freddie?
Conclusion: [ very generous] is a constituent.
(Usually an introducer cannot be separated from the following words in the same phrase.)
B. Diagnostics
1. Movement: only constituents undergo movement:
Practice: use movement to show that enormously difficult is a constituent:
This problem is [ enormously difficult ].
B. Diagnostics
1. Movement: only constituents undergo movement:
Practice: use movement to show that enormously difficult is a constituent:
This problem is [ enormously difficult ].
[how difficult] is this problem?
(Enormously difficult)
Conclusion: [enormously difficult] is a constituent.
B. Diagnostics
2. Pronominalization: only constituents can be replaced by a proform.
Example: Mary’s solution is [very creative ] and so is Fred’s solution.
(very creative)
B. Diagnostics
Practice: This pen is bright yellow and that one is bright yellow. (apply pronominalization)
B. Diagnostics
Practice: This pen is bright yellow and that one is bright yellow.
This pen is bright yellow and so is that one.
(= It’s bright yellow.)
B. Diagnostics
3. Coordination: only constituents can be coordinated.
Example: these jokes are [more humorous] but [somewhat confusing].
Conclusion: each AP forms a unit with its degree word.
B. Diagnostics
Practice with structure: Draw a tree diagram for:
an extremely long but nice movie
B. Diagnostics
an extremely long but nice movie
NP
Det AP N
an movie
AP but AP
Deg A A
extremely long nice
II. Adj. Phrase Positions
A. Prenominal Position
B. After Linking Verbs
C. Postnominal Position
II. Adj. Phrase Positions
A. Prenominal Position
NP=> (Det) – (Q) – (NUM) – (AP) – N
those two [very lovely] cats
his many [less attractive] frogs
A. Prenominal Position
Notice: other categories can also appear in a pre-nominal position:
those two lovely crying babies (V)
the one lovely soap dish (N)
Revised rule:
NP=> (Det) – (Q) – (NUM) – (AP) – {N/V} – N
constantly
B. After Linking Verbs
1. What are linking verbs?
be, become
appear, seem, look
taste, feel, sound, smell, look
B. After Linking Verbs
Example:
The solution was very clear
became
looked
seemed
B. Prenominal Position
2. Other categories can appear after linking verbs:
The solution was a new car. (NP)
The solution was right there. (PP)
Usually, this is an AP position.
C. Postnominal Position
“Heavy” APs can appear after N:
a yellow book
*a book yellow
a book yellow with age
a book yellower than I’ve ever seen
C. Postnominal Position
“Heavy” APs can appear after N:
Some adjectives follow the noun even if they are ‘light’:
all possible things
all things possible
SUMMARY: rules
AP => (Deg) A (PP)
NP => ({Det/PossNP})(Q)(Num)(AP)({N/V}) N ({AP/PP})
II. Adj. Phrase Positions: Summary
A. Prenominal Position: before N
B. Predicate Position: after linking verbs
C. Post-nominal Position: “Heavy” APs can appear after N.
