Syntactic functions

• Functions


  The role which a phrase plays in the sentence by virtue of its position and its relationship with other phrases
• The function is often, but not always, related to the Verb
• Obligatory functions


  • Subject
• Post-verbal functions


  • Objects
  • Subject and Object complements
• Optional modifying functions


  • Adverbials
  • Postmodifiers
• Function is derived from position
• All obligatory functions are determined in relation to the verb
• Subject


  The noun phrase that typically comes before the verb and determines subject-verb agreement
• The same phrase can play a different role in the sentence according to its position
• Language-impaired children have difficulties with syntactic functions
• The LARSP framework is used to assess language impairments in children
• Functions


  Syntactic roles that words or phrases play in a sentence
• Types of functions


  • Obligatory functions
  • Post-verbal functions
  • Optional modifying functions
• Subject


  The do-er in a sentence, typically the noun phrase that comes before the verb
• Subject is the only obligatory function determined in relation to the verb
• Subject can be omitted only in imperative sentences
• Subject-verb agreement


  The verb form changes to match the subject in number and person
• Objects


  Noun phrases that come after the verb, representing the thing that is affected by the action
• Sentences with objects


  • Syntax rocks my world!
  • Madonna sings catchy tunes
  • That donkey kicks people
• Intransitive verbs do not take objects
• Direct object


  The thing which changes location or possession
• Indirect object


  The thing which receives the transferred entity
• Indirect object is "parasitic" on the direct object
• Sentences with direct and indirect objects

  • Albert showed Victoria his stamp collection
  • Ennis brought a book for Angie
  • Could you rustle me up an omelette?
  • Patricia sent her friend a letter
• Direct object


  The object that directly receives the action of the verb
• Indirect object


  The object that indirectly receives the action of the verb
• Sentences with direct and indirect objects

  • Albert showed Victoria Oi his stamp collection Od
  • Ennis brought a book Od for Angie Oi
  • Could you rustle me Oi up an omelette Od
  • Patricia sent her friend Oi a letter Od
• Verbs taking 3 arguments are verbs of physical transfer (give, take, receive, lend, borrow, deliver, donate, show) and verbs of metaphorical transfer (tell, explain)
• Subject complement


  A phrase that describes a property of the subject
• Sentences with subject complements

  • Jack is [ terrible at maths ]
  • Ali appears [ in a mood ] at the moment
• Object complement


  A phrase that describes a property of the object
• Sentences with object complements


  • I consider him [ my best friend ]
  • I want that bedroom [ cleaned ] by tomorrow
  • Genevieve painted her bedroom walls [ dark green ]
  • The mechanic hammered the panel [ flat ]
• Complement


  A phrase that completes the meaning of a subject or object
• Subject complements


  • Jack is terrible at maths
  • Ali appears in a mood at the moment
• Object complements


  • I consider him my best friend
  • I want that bedroom cleaned by tomorrow
  • Genevieve painted her bedroom walls dark green
  • The mechanic hammered the panel flat
• Complements can be realised by a variety of different phrases, e.g. Noun Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Prepositional Phrase
• Verbs which can take subject complements

  • The copula - is/are/was/were
  • Verbs of appearance - seem, appear, look
  • Verbs of perception - feel, smell, sound, taste
  • Verbs of persistence - stay, remain
• Verbs which can take object complements

  • appoint, call, certify, consider, crown, declare, elect, find, hold, imagine, keep, like, make, name, prefer, proclaim, profess, pronounce, prove, report, send, think, turn
• Complements are less moveable than Objects
• Sentences with complements


  • Jack gave Peter the book

  The book was given to Peter by Jack

  Peter was given the book by Jack

  Jack resembles Paul

  * Paul is resembled by Jack

  Magda named her daughter Isobel

  * Isobel was named her daughter by Magda