1. Herrán, Joana English Grammar II
Mata, José Prof. Fernández – Prof. Cheme Arriaga
Segatta, Daniel 2011
Grammatical Systems in Language
According to the theoretic lines of Systemic Functional Linguistics, many systems of
choices are applied in Language so as to create semantic distinctions among the elements
of the Lexis. Other systems are used in order to differentiate the components of Grammar.
One of these distinctions makes use of the Grammatical Choice system, which is formed
by the three basic elements of a clause: Subject, Finite and Predicate.
The Subject is the “doer” of the action expressed in the verb, i.e., the participant that
performs –or receives– this action. A Finite is a verb that becomes completely inflected
according to five aspects: Person, Number, Tense, Mood and Voice. Finally, the Predicate
characterises the Subject.
The possible combinations of these elements generate three patterns of grammatical order
in English, and therefore, three types of clauses:
• Declarative clauses (statements), where the order of the elements is organised as
follows:
SUBJECT + FINITE VERB + PREDICATE
He looks just like an angel.
It is a fine position.
I have a golden bedroom.
The swallow came back to the Prince.
I am covered with fine gold.
• Interrogative clauses (questions), where the elements are ordered in a slightly different
manner:
FINITE VERB + SUBJECT + PREDICATE
Will you come away with me?
Why can’t you be like the Happy Prince?
Have you any commisions for Egypt?
Will you let me kiss your hand?
Is he not solid gold?

2. Herrán, Joana English Grammar II
Mata, José Prof. Fernández – Prof. Cheme Arriaga
Segatta, Daniel 2011

3. Herrán, Joana English Grammar II
Mata, José Prof. Fernández – Prof. Cheme Arriaga
Segatta, Daniel 2011
• Imperative clauses (commands), where we find neither a Subject nor a Finite. These
clauses only feature a Non-Finite verb and the Predicate –which is optional if the verb is
intransitive–.
NON-FINITE + PREDICATE
Pluck out one of them.
Take it to him.
When we organise and arrange the grammatical roles that words play in our message, we
obtain the realisation of Grammatical Choices through the Structures formed. Then, the
Structures are the ones to realise these Choices. But in order to obtain words from these
Structures, it becomes necessary to organise those grammatical elements, and finally turn
them into sounds or letters.
Semantics
Meaning-making Levels
Meanings
CONTENT
Lexico-Grammar
LANGUAGE
Turning Meanings into Wordings AS A
(Words and Structures) SEMIOTIC
SYSTEM
Phonology / Graphology
REALISATION
Sounds or Letters
(express the Meanings created in
the two levels above)
* All of the examples used in this work have been extracted from “The Happy Prince”, by Oscar Wilde.