Download Revision of English III Grammar

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GRAMMAR REVISION FOR ENGLISH 4
Revision of English III Grammar
A
THE NOUN PHRASE
1) Discussion : Why study the Noun Phrase ? It is an essential feature of English grammar.
We can’t talk about or identify nouns and pronouns without considering the entire noun phrase and its
function in the clause/sentence. It is also very important in communication and in developing good
writing. You can impart a lot with nouns and adjectives and relative clauses etc., but you can hardly
communicate anything with verb phrases alone. Noun phrases are used in nominalisation, i.e. making
texts more concise (and possibly formal) by packing more information into the noun phrase and thus
reducing the number of sentences and total number of words.
2) TRUE or FALSE? State whether the following are true/false. If they are false, give
the correct answer.
A NOUN PHRASE is:
i) A group of words which can be divided into the elements S,V, C, O, A. F
ii) One or more words with a noun (or pronoun) as head {nucleus}, and possibly a premodifier or post-modifier or both. T
iii) A word or group of words with a head, whose function is either S,C,O or A in a
sentence or clause. T
iv) The only function a noun phrase could never have is A {Adverbial} in a clause or
sentence. F
v) The pre-modifier of a noun phrase usually consists of a relative clause. F
vi) The most common form of noun phrase postmodifier is the prepositional phrase. T
vii) The pre-modifier (if there is one) usually consists of one (or more) determiners
followed by one or more attributive adjectives. F
It is only false in the sense that the
determiner, regardless of how many determiners there are, is not considered part of the premodifier.
viii) Sentential and Nominal relative clauses are common noun phrase postmodifiers. F
Never!
3) What, then, are the constituent parts of the Noun phrase?
Det. (up to 3)//attributive adjs.//head {(compound?) noun}// postmodifier(s)
4) List other types of postmodifiers besides the prepositional phrase.
i) relative clauses (defining – restrictive)
ii) relative clauses (non-defining – non-restrictive) **
iii) post-positive adjectives & adjective phrases *
iv) post-positive adverbs (a very limited number)
v) non-finite clauses
vi) noun phrases
** some would argue that non-defining relative clauses, (especially non-finite ones), are adverbials. In
the example “The hapless boat, which had left the harbour in mountainous seas, was sinking fast” the
meaning of the relative clause is “because it had left the harbour.............»”. If we use a non-finite clause
here –“having left the harbour in mountainous seas”, we could place it in initial sentence position e.g.
“Having left the harbour in mountainous seas, the hapless boat was sinking.” It therefore follows that the
non-defining relative clause actually seems to have adverbial function. However, if we take the sentence
“That large house, which seems to dominate the landscape, is owned by my family” we can consider the
subordinate clause to be a genuine postmodifier. It makes little sense to make it non-finite, and even less
sense to place the clause in initial position e.g.*“Seeming to dominate the landscape, that large house is
owned by my family.” This would be considered unacceptable.
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* A postposive adjective (or adverb) is placed immediately after the head (nucleus) of the noun phrase:
e.g. “A trip abroad”; “The person responsible”; “A night alone”; “Three hours only”; “A ship adrift”
etc. (For a fuller list, see Greenbaum & Quirk).
5) Adjectival order. Re-order the adjectives and nouns in the noun phrases below
correctly. The first and last words are in the correct position. (Note that some are
compound adjectives or compound nouns.) (Nos. V & vi are the only noun phrases
with postmodifiers!)
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
A/an Victorian ugly guest late red-brick great house.
A great ugly red-brick late Victorian guest house
A grey lamp concrete dirty large post.
A large dirty grey concrete lamp post
A sleeping haired blonde gorgeous beauty.
A gorgeous blonde-haired sleeping beauty
Several bound compendious leather encyclopaedic works.
Several compendious leather-bound encyclopaedic works
A granite roofed magnificent high church mediaeval with a tall tower.
A magnificent high-roofed mediaeval granite church with a tall tower
Our two long first adventure really holidays abroad.
Our first two really long adventure holidays abroad
6) NOMINALISATION (Converting other parts of speech to noun phrases, and
using them to make a text more formal and concise).
Either convert the groups of sentences below into one single sentence or shorten
the long sentence using noun phrases as much as possible (together with prepositional
phrases and nominal clauses). Also underline the noun phrases. An example is given.
0) We went to the seaside for a day. It was very enjoyable. We also found it almost
deserted.
You write: We spent a very enjoyable day by the seaside, which was almost
deserted.
i) The group of men were very angry. They argued at length. Their noise could be
heard right down the street. {Use the verb ‘had’ as the main verb.}
You write: The extremely angry group of men had a lengthy//long argument, the noise
of which could be heard right down the street.
ii) The value of sterling has fallen sharply because businessmen were doubting whether
the government’s economic policy would succeed. {Use the verb phrase ‘has come
about ‘ or the expression ‘is the result of’. Ask yourselves whether ‘businessmen’
is necessary to include in your answer.}
You write: The recent sharp fall in the value of sterling has come about because of // is
the result of doubts about/as to/regarding the success of the govt’s economic policy.
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iii) Everyone knows that it is true that if a single man has a good fortune he must want
to get married. {Jane Austen). {Use the verb phrase ‘must be’.}
You write: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a
good fortune must be in want of a wife. Note that ‘that a single man........»’ is a nominal
‘that’ clause which is in appositiong to ‘a truth’ and is therefore part of the whole noun phrase.
iv) He had an appetite for adventure, and it was difficult to satisfy this. So he became
involved in a pioneering expedition to Antarctica. {Use the verb phrase ‘involved’ or
‘led to’.}
You write: His insatiable appetite for adventure led to his involvement in//involved him
in// a pioneering expedition to Antarctica.
v) Violent crime in Britain is seriously increasing, with the result that ordinary citizens
have become very concerned and do not feel safe either in their homes or in the street.
{Use ‘has resulted in’ or ‘is causing’ as the main verb phrase.}
You write:The serious rise in violent crime in Britain has resulted in increasing //great
concern amongst ordinary citizens, who do not feel safe either in their homes or in the
street.
............................................................................................................................................
7) Read this draft of a newspaper article, then complete the re-written sections of
the article below with a noun or a noun phrase. Try not to repeat exactly the same
expressions as those that appear in the first text. The first one is given as an
example (0).
St Andrew’s Hospital Trust has recently confirmed that yet more instances of
food poisoning have come to light in the Scottish resort, and this has alarmed
everyone who lives in the town. A spokesperson stated that the illness was not
serious and could be easily treated. This appeased community leaders but
they requested further assurances that the authorities were doing everything
within their control to stop the contamination from spreading. The hospital
authority has announced that it will investigate fully the causes of this
epidemic. As a recent investigation into a similar outbreak concluded that the
cause was dealing with meat in an unhygienic manner in a local butcher’s
shop, local shopkeepers are concerned about what will come out of the
pending investigation. The leader of the Shopkeepers’ Association, Len
Murphy, suggested that what caused
the epidemic might be hospital
kitchens, which has angered hospital staff. The kitchen staff at the hospital
have now called for a strike of hospital auxiliaries across the region, which is
likely to be severely financially harmful to the health authority.
(0)__ The recent confirmation__ by St Andrew’s Hospital Trust of
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(1) a new wave/yet more cases of food poisoning in the Scottish resort
has alarmed (2) townsfolk/townspeople/inhabitants/citizens/residents.
A/an (3) statement/report/assurance that the illness was not serious and
could be easily treated appeased community leaders, but they
requested further assurances that the authorities were doing everything
within their control to contain (4)the spread/outbreak/bug. The hospital
authority has announced (5) a thorough investigation into the causes of
this epidemic. As (6)a report of a recent investigation into a similar
outbreak cited (7)unhygienic handling of meat in a local butcher’s shop
as the cause, local shopkeepers are concerned about (8) the (eventual)
results//outcome of the pending enquiry. (9) A suggestion by the leader
of the Shopkeepers’ Association, Len Murphy, that (10) the cause/source
of the epidemic might be hospital kitchens has angered hospital staff.
(11)A call/demand by kitchen staff at the hospital for a strike of hospital
auxiliaries across the region is likely to have (12) severe/harmful financial
consequences for the health authority.
N.B. There are more exercises in Longman pp. 256ff.
B NOMINAL CLAUSES
N.B. Not the same as NOMINALISATION (Explain)
Nominalisation is the
conversion of verbs, verb phrases and other parts of speech into noun phrases in order to improve style
(both in speaking and writing) and achieve conciseness and some formality. Nominal clauses are
dependent clauses which can serve to substitute noun phrases as S, O, C & occasionally A elements of
the sentence. (They might also be used for apposition, and as adjectival or prepositional complements.
8) Definitions of a Nominal Clause: TRUE or FALSE?
i) It has exactly the same form and structure as a noun phrase. F
ii) A nominal clause has practically the same function as a noun phrase. T
iii) There are several types of nominal clause. T
iv) A nominal clause can be either finite or non-finite. T
v) A nominal clause can never consist of or include an ‘-ed’ non-finite verb phrase. T
vi) Nominal clauses are not a very common feature of linguistic expression, either in
speech or writing. F
vii) The type of nominal clause that usually expresses a concrete, rather than abstract
concept - i.e. that refers to people or things, is the Nominal Relative Clause. T *
viii) Nominal clauses can never have an ‘A’ {Adverbial} function. F **
* However, ‘Wh-’ interrogative clauses and exclamative clauses may sometimes refer to people or things
e.g. “I must ask you who(m) you were speaking to at 7pm last night.”
**
They can have an adverbial function as comment clauses – a kind of disjunct. E.g. “ The train
arrived on time and, what is even more surprising, with some empty seats to fill.” Or (Q & G Pg 184)
“What is especially fortunate, the child was unhurt.”
9) Types of Nominal Clause: see if you can list them
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
Nominal relative clause
Nominal ‘that’ clause
Nominal ‘wh-’ interrogative clause
Nominal alternative interrogative clause
Nominal ‘yes/no’ interrogative clause
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vi) Nominal exlamative clause
vii) Nominal non-finite ‘-ing’ clause
viii) Nominal non-finite ‘to’ infinitive clause
ix) Nominal non-finite bare infinitive clause
N.B. a non-finite ‘-ing’ clause might also be a defining relative clause, as in ‘She
saw a boat emerging from the harbour and heading for the open sea.’ However, the
interpretation of this is ambiguous, for it could either be a defining relative clause
= ‘which was emerging’ or an adverbial clause ‘when/as it was emerging’. In
neither case are they nominal clauses.
10) Underline all the Nominal Clauses in the following sentences and state what
function each has: S, O, C, A, App(Apposition), AdjC (Adjectival complement) or
PrepC (Prepositional complement). N.B. Some sentences contain more than one
nominal clause.
i) He always undresses in front of the fire before (1) going to bed and, (2)what is even
more interesting, he does the same in the summer!
ii) (3)What is so surprising, my secretary asked me (4) how she should write the letter.
iii) (5) Where we go next depends on you.
iv) I can’t believe (6) how quickly he learned the language.
v) (7) That he is not the best choice for the job goes without (7a) saying. (?)*
vi) That’s exactly (8) what I’ve been trying to tell you all day.
vii) (9) Whoever knows the answer to that question is a genius.
viii) I’m not really sure (10) what he’s talking about.+
ix) The fact (11) that I can’t speak Portuguese fluently after 15 years is downright
disgraceful.
x) (12) Going shopping is (13) what I hate more than anything else.
xi) (14) Having two cups of coffee in the morning helps (15) get the day started.
xii) (16) To get here on time in this traffic means (17) leaving home at 7am.
xiii) I’m always trying (18) to make the point (19) that this grammar is very useful.**
xiv) I was very sorry (20) to have to tell her about the accident.
xv) The children were all happy (21) playing in the garden. ***
xvi) She apprised me of (22) when he would be arriving.
(1) Non-finite ‘-ing’ clause ; prepositional complement
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Nominal relative ; adverbial (comment clause)
Nominal relative ; adverbial (comment clause)
‘wh-’ interogative clause ; object
Nominal relative {=the place where} ; subject
Exclamative nominal clause; object
Nominal ‘that’ clause; subject
(7a)* ‘saying’ could be said to be a prepositional
complement. However, ‘goes without saying’ should perhaps be construed as an inseperable lexical chunk; an idiomatic expression akin to a verb phrase. {e.g. We cannot say
‘goes without thinking’, or ‘goes without knowing’.}
(8) Nominal relative clause; complement (of subject)
(9) Nominal relative clause; subject
(10) Nominal relative (or just possibly ‘wh-’ interrogative); adjectival complement.
+For it to be Nominal relative, the preposition ‘of’ should really follow ‘sure’..... “sure of what
he’s talking about”. It could be interrogative, answering the question ‘What’s he talking
about?’ Answer: ‘I’m not really sure what he’s talking about’.
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(11) Nominal ‘that’ clause; (2nd subject) in apposition to ‘the fact’
(12) Non-finite ‘-ing’ clause; subject
(13) Nominal relative clause ; complement (of subject)
(14) Non-finite ‘-ing’ clause ; subject
(15) Non-finite (bare) infinitive clause ; object (of ‘helps’)
(16) Non-finite (‘to’) infinitive clause ; subject
(17) Non-finite ‘-ing’ clause ; object (or is it complement ???) of ‘means’....debatable
(18) Non-finite (‘to’) infinitive clause; object
(19) Nominal ‘that’ clause; (2nd object) in apposition to ‘the point’
**Note that ‘to make the point that this grammar is very useful’ is really one clause, which can then
be subdivided, so to speak, into two. ‘the point ‘is object of ‘to make’ in the subordinate clause.
(20) Non-finite (‘to’) infinitive clause; adjectival complement (of ‘sorry’)
(21) Non-finite ‘-ing’ clause; (2nd complement) in apposition to ‘happy’
***
This is debatable. I prefer to see it as in apposition. E.g. “The children were all happy;” “The
children were all playing in the garden.” It is not equivalent, semantically or grammatically, to “The
children were all happy to play in the garden.” We could insert a comma between ‘happy’ and ‘playing’
and it would still make excellent sense.
(22) Nominal relative clause (= the time when/at which); prepositional complement
11) a) Correct all the underlined clauses which contain errors in the passage
below. Write the correction (if there is one) in the space by the side of the clause.
b) State what type of clause it is, even if it is not a nominal clause, and c) state
what its function in the sentence is. (The first one has been done for you).
(1) That I want to do (What); Nominal ‘that’ clause; subject is (2)explaining to
you(to)explain; non-finite (to) infinitive; complement; (3) what we’re going to do in
English IV.(Correct); Nominal relative; direct object. The book (4) what we’re going to
use in the first semester (that {or} omit pronoun); defining rel.clause; is “The Story of
English”, (5) that will certainly take up quite a lot of time (which); non-defining rel.
clause. We will ask you (6) if or not you like it, (if you like it or not; whether or not you like
it); alternative interrogative; object; and (7) what do you think of it. (Omit ‘do’); ‘wh-’
interrogative; object; (8) To read a lot (‘Reading a lot’); non-finite ‘-ing; subject; is essential
for (9) who is doing a university degree in English. (‘whoever’ {or} ‘anyone who...’);
Nominal relative clause (if using ‘whoever is’); defining relative clause postmodifying ‘anyone’ if
using ‘for anyone who’); prepositional complement; It is well known (10) there are few
jobs available for graduates. (‘that there...’); nominal ‘that’ clause; (extraposed) subject; It
is amazing (11) how on earth was this situation allowed to develop (how on earth
this situation was allowed .....»); nominal exclamative clause; (extraposed) subject;.
Nevertheless, don’t ask, (12) “Why this misfortune happened to me?” (“Why did
this misfortune happen to me?”); Nominal ‘wh-’ interrogative (direct question); object;(13)Who
becomes depressed (Whoever); Nominal relative clause; subject;does not help themselves
or anyone. Be optimistic. Do your best in 14) what you have to do (Correct); Nominal
relative; prepositional complement;and remember (15) that a degree is not just about
train for a job. (training); Nominal ‘that’ clause; object;. (16) What are you doing (What
you are doing); Nominal relative clause; subject; is (17) educate and train your minds
(educating & training....); non-finite ‘-ing’ clause; complement (of subject); and
(18) improving your skills (Correct); non-finite ‘-ing’ clause; complement; for the wider
world (19) awaits you. (that awaits you); defining relative clause; postmodifying ‘wider world’.
For more explanations and extra practice of all types of Nominal clause, see Side and
Wellman Unit 10, pp 163 – 169, and Unit 11 pp188 & 189.
N.B. It might be a good idea to link Nominal clause revision with indirect statement,
indirect command, indireect exclamation and indirect question. After all, this is the more
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traditional terminology students learn at school, and many finite nominal clauses in object
position are in fact used to complete these indirect statements, commands, exclamations
and questions (see SGE (Q & G) Pp 297 – 303 {14.17 – 14.23}).
C
ADVERBIALS
12) Definitions of an Adverbial: TRUE OR FALSE?
i) It is one of the five main sentence or clause elements. T
ii) It is not often used. F
iii) It is always an optional element. F e.g. “She put the book on the table.” (obligatory adverbial)
iv) Theoretically, there can be any number of adverbials in a sentence. T
v) An adverbial might just consist of one single word. T
vi) Adverbs are the same as Adverbials. F
vii) When talking of ‘adverbials’, we are dealing with function rather than form. T
viii) An adverbial can never be placed at the beginning of a sentence. F
ix) An adverbial can have several forms. T
x) It might even consist of an entire clause. T
xi) All subordinate clauses are adverbials. F
xii) Some types of linking words (connectors) are adverbials. T {Conjuncts}
xiii) All adverbials have the same importance within a sentence. F*
*This may be an opportunity, if time permits, to explain the difference (again) between {a} conjuncts,
subjuncts, adjuncts and disjuncts , (the subjunct having the least importance in terms of sentence or
clause elements, and {b} sentence adjuncts and predication adjuncts.
xiv) It is possible for a clause or sentence to contain no adverbials at all. T
13) Tick the forms below that an adverbial might take.
i) sentential relative clauses √
ii) conditional clauses √
ix) adverb phrases
√
x) defining relative clauses
iii) prepositional phrases √
iv) verb phrases
v) nominal clauses
√
vi) adjectives & adjective phrases
xi) conjunctions
xii) noun phrases
√
xiii) modal auxiliary verbs
xiv) pre-modifying adverbs in adjective
phrases e.g. ‘pretty silly’ ; ‘fairly tough’
xv) subordinate clauses prefaced by a conjunction
√
xvi) non-finite “-ing” clauses
√
xvii) verbless clause
√
vii) non-finite “-ed” clauses
viii) adverbs
√
14) a) Tick the expressions below that could be adverbials (in the right
context). b) Put a cross against those that couldn’t be. c) Put a double
tick against any expressions that are always adverbials.
i) in order to finish my homework √√
ii) last night
√
iii) the front room
x
iv) never
√√
v) very beautiful
x
vi) terribly fast
√
vii) nevertheless
√√
viii) in spite of
x
x) when in doubt
√√
xi) after that wonderful party √
xii) because we had never seen it √√
xiii) almost
√
xiv) finally
√√
xv) that it had always been the same x
xvi) whoever is responsible for that x
xvii) on entering the room √√
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xi) on the table
√
xviii) driving slowly round the bend √
N.B. “On the table is where you will find it”; “After that wonderful party is when I began to feel ill”
Are examples of the prepositional phrase ‘on the table’ and the subordinate clause “after that wonderful
party” functioning as subject and therefore being used nominally and not adverbially. Can we say that
these expressions are not adverbials in such contexts?
15) Underline all the non-finite adverbial clauses in the following
sentences. (Take care not to underline any other non-finite clauses
(e.g. relative clauses or nominal clauses).
i) Having climbed in through the window they were unable to get back.
ii) Peter, thinking that David wasn’t doing the job properly, gave him 3 months’notice
to quit.
iii) Finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon realised that his second chance
to conquer Europe was over.
iv) For him to arrive on time would be a miracle.
v) Carrying my luggage, I headed for Customs.
vi) Met by my friends, I felt safe and happy.
vii) Coping with life alone in a foreign country is difficult, but challenging.
viii) Bob is equally happy whether travelling by car or by public transport.
16) Underline all the adverbials in the following text, and state what
type or form each is or has (e.g. conjunct, subordinate finite/non-finite
clause, noun phrase etc.) {Number the adverbials you underline and
write their form underneath the text}.
I
(1)usually
go (2)for a sauna (3)on a Saturday afternoon.
(4)However, (5)when I have a lot of work to do, or(6)if I am
feeling tired, I stay(7) at home. They are wonderfully relaxing, a
sauna, a swim, and a Turkish bath.
At the health club (9)the other day I met a colleague. She was
swimming(10)very strongly and (11)really well. She could swim
(12) much better than I. (13) Nevertheless, I swim a great many
lengths, which may (14)quite surprise you. (15)Moreover, I have
lots of saunas and Turkish baths (16)during the same session.
(17)Last week, (18)finding the sauna and steam room very hot, I
languished (19)there (20)for a long time and (21)thoroughly
enjoyed it. (22)Having said that, I was completely exhausted and
fit for nothing (23)afterwards.
(8)
Write your list of adverbial forms here: (1) adverb of frequency {adjunct};
(2) prepositional phrase {obligatory adverbial); (3) prepositional phrase; sentence adjunct;
(4) adverb; conjunct; connector; (5) subordinate temporal clause; sentence adjunct;
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(6) subordinate conditional clause; sentence adjunct; (7) prepositional phrase; (obligatory
adverbial? or predication adjunct?) (8) prepositional phrase; sentence adjunct; (9) noun phrase;
sentence adjunct; (10) adverb phrase ; predication adjunct ; (11) adverb phrase ; predication
adjunct ; (12) adverb phrase ; comparative ; predication adjunct ; (13) adverb; conjunct;
connector; (14) adverb; subjunct; (modifies the verb ‘surprise’, and is verb closely associated
with that and nothing else); (15) adverb; conjunct; connector; (16) prepositional phrase;
sentence adjunct; (17) noun phrase; sentence adjunct; (18) non-finite ‘-ing’ clause; sentence
adjunct; (19) adverb; spatial pro-form; predication adjunct; (20) prepositional phrase; sentence
adjunct; (21) adverb; predication adjunct; (22) non-finite ‘-ing’clause; disjunct; (23) adverb;
time-position adjunct (according to Q & G (Pg. 168). However, I would have thought that when
‘afterwards’ comes in initial position in a sentence, referring back to the previous sentence, it is
a conjunct.
N.B. For more practice on Nominal clauses, adverbials, finite/non-finite clauses, etc.,
consult Sylvia Chalker Workbook Chs. 14 & 15, pp. 99-120.
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