1. The grammar of interpersonal
exchanges
Dr Pramela Krish
21 April 2014

2. Forms and functions
• FORM denotes how something looks - its shape or
appearance, and what its structure is.
• When we say that the old man is an NP,
• or that the old man bought a newspaper is a finite clause
• We can also look at constituents - phrases and clauses -
from another angle.
• We can examine the FUNCTIONs which they perform.

3. • Speakers are expected to be aware of the
forms of the language they use and how these
forms are used in appropriate context.
• Such functions need to be carried out within a
context.

4. People use language to accomplish different speech acts.
• Ordering/Commanding
• Promising
• Arguing
• Request
• Apology
• Expressing gratitude
• Praising
• Making an offer
• Giving advice

5. There are 5 moods in English
• A. Declarative
• B. Yes-No Interrogative
• C. Wh-Interrogative
• D. Imperative
• E. Exclamative

6. Declarative : is used to express a statement,
description, or give information /detail. Sentences
can refer to anything at all, real or imaginary.
"I really like chocolate."
is in the indicative mood, as it indicates or states
that the speaker likes chocolate a great deal.

7. • The subjunctive mood is used to express
hypothetical or desired states, such as wishes
or imaginary situations.
• The sentence "If I were a little taller, I could
reach the top shelf." is in the subjunctive
mood, as the verb "to be" becomes "were".

8. • Yes-No Interrogative : is used to find out if something is
true
• Wh-interrogative: to elicit information
• Imperative: to get someone to do something or to stop
doing something (requests, orders, and strong
suggestions).
Go there now!
Do not postpone this any longer!
• Exclamative : to exclaim or express emotion

9. • Each mood can be identified by a particular
structure.
• The part of the sentence not involved in
determining the mood structure is called
RESIDUE

10. • Declarative: subject + finite
Grammar is very interesting.
[Subject] [finite] (residue)
Oral skills are viewed as crucial in the business
world.
We always meet here.

11. • Yes-No Interrogative: finite + subject
Is grammar very interesting?
Is she your mentor?
• Wh- interrogative: Wh - word + finite + subject
or Wh- subject + finite
• How do you find the new job?
• What is the outcome of the discussion?

12. • Imperative: predicator (subject is usually
deleted)
Study functional grammar!
[predicator] (residue)
Read the news now!
*(Halliday refers to the base form of the verb as Predicators)

13. Exclamative: what + NP ….. or How + AdjP….
How tragic the news is!
Wh- Adjp (Subject + finite)
What a tasty pie this is !
Wh- NP (subject + finite)
What a lovely wedding gift she’s given you!

14. Exercises
What is the a)mood and b) the intention?
1.What a frightening journey that was!
2.We have all come to a consensus on the issue.
3.Could you please sit beside me?
4.Have you moved to your new apartment?
5.If you don’t hand in your work you might
receive a warning soon.

15. Words on Mood
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUhDV-
72S0