2. Sentence Structure as a Key to Meaning
Whyis it
important
toidentify
the
structureof
a sentence?
Reading requires more than knowing the
meaning of individual words.
We have to know how individual words
combine together to produce a
meaningful group
We also need to know how these
groups of words combine together to
produce meaningful sentences.
3. Which elements make up the basic sentences.
What each element looks like (form).
The position of each element in the sentence.
What kind of information each element brings to the sentence.
We can do this if we know:
4. Form and Function
One way to organize sentence structure is to think
of form and function. When we talk about form, we
mean word classes such as nouns, verbs, adjectives,
and adverbs, among others. When we talk about
function, we refer to these structures in context.
For example, the word “outside” is an adverb. That
is its form. But when we look at it in context, we find
out that it might have different functions.
5. Examples
In this case, the
adverb outside is
telling us where the
puppy is sleeping.
Its function is adverbial.
In this case, the same
adverb outside is
modifying the noun
“puppy.”
This means that it is not
any puppy but a specific
puppy of which I’m
talking about.
Its function is adjectival.
The puppy is sleeping outside. The puppy outside is mine.
6. Examples
In this case, fish is part
of a verbal phrase.
It describes an action.
Its function is verbal.
In this case, fish is
determining the word pie.
This means that it is not
any pie but a specific
type of pie.
Fish here is a noun, and its
function is adjectival.
I may fish this afternoon. Later, I’ll make fish pie.
7. Main Functions
There are
four main
functions of
structures in
English:
Adverbial
(ADV)
Adjectival
(ADJ)
Nominal (N)
Verbal (V)
They have the same function that nouns, adjectives,
adverbs, or verbs have in a sentence.
❖ a noun (being subjects or objects)
❖ an adjective (modifying nouns)
❖ an adverb (modyfying verbs, adjectives, or other
adverbs)
❖ a verb (relating to actions, moods or states)
8. Nominals
Nominals are subjects or objects.
Nouns, pronouns, names, reflexives:
Courage is one of the hallmarks of a hero.
Laura is really popular.
I like her a lot.
Noun phrases:
The old house needs repairment.
-ing endings:
Jogging is really popular.
to-infinitives:
I like to swim.
9. Adjectivals
Adjectives modify or determine nouns.
Adjectives: The kind man welcomed me.
Nouns: I need a health insurance.
-ing endings: The running water was cool.
-ed/en endings: He was really confused.
to-infinitives: They gave him an opportunity to escape.
Prepositional phrases: The book on the table is mine.
Genitive case (possessive case ’s): The prize helped
increase Ana’s confidence.
10. Adverbials
What is an adverbial? An adverbial is a word o group of words that modifies
verbs. They give additional information about the action or situation and answer
questions such as:
When?
Where?
How?
Why?
In spite of which event?
For what purpose?
On what condition?
11. Adverbials
Adverbs also modify or determine adjectives or
other adverbs.
Adverb: She’s practically deaf.
-ing endings: They came running.
Prepositional phrases: Before my birthday, I’ll
have an exam.
Nominals: I go to the beach every summer.
12. Verbals or Verb Phrases
Verbs:
He met her last year.
Auxiliaries + verbs:
I will go to the party.
They are resting after a long day.
She has been making a cake.
13. What’s the function of the word “painting” in
each phrase or sentence?
Brown’s skillful painting is a delight to watch.
I watched Brown painting his daughter.
The silently painting man is Brown.
Brown is painting his daughter.
