Form and function Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the types of phrases in grammar?
Verb phrase, Noun phrase, Adjective phrase, Adverb phrase, Prepositional phrase
These phrases are formed by combining different word classes.
What does a verb phrase consist of?
All the verbs in a sentence, always one ordinary verb preceded by optional auxiliary and/or modal verbs
Example: ‘is becoming’, ‘has been growing’.
What is a noun phrase?
Always contains a noun, preceded by optional determiner and/or adjective(s)
Example: ‘the really nice girl’, ‘my friend’.
What is an adjective phrase?
Always contains an adjective, but never a noun, preceded by optional adverb
Example: ‘really cool’, ‘most amazing’.
What does an adverb phrase contain?
Always contains an adverb, preceded by an optional adverb
Example: ‘really quickly’.
What is a prepositional phrase?
Always starts with a preposition and is followed by a noun phrase
Example: ‘in the garden’, ‘at any time’.
What are the six types of grammatical functions in a sentence?
Verb, Subject, Direct object, Indirect object, Complement, Adverbial
Each phrase can have different grammatical functions.
What is the grammatical function of the subject?
Performs the action of the verb
Example: In ‘My friend is waiting’, ‘My friend’ is the subject.
What is the grammatical function of the direct object?
Undergoes the action of the verb
Example: In ‘The dog is eating a bone’, ‘a bone’ is the direct object.
What is the grammatical function of the indirect object?
The recipient of the direct object
Example: In ‘Sarah sent her friend a letter’, ‘her friend’ is the indirect object.
What is a complement in grammatical terms?
Refers back to the subject
Example: In ‘This colour is nice’, ‘nice’ is the complement.
What types of phrases can a complement take?
Adjective phrase, Noun phrase
Example: ‘nice’ (adjective) or ‘a doctor’ (noun).
What verbs introduce complements?
Linking verbs such as to be, to become, to seem
Example: ‘My brother is a doctor.’
True or False: A complement is the same as a compliment.
False
Complements provide necessary information about the subject, while compliments express praise.
What is the grammatical function of an adverbial?
Gives information like how, when, and where
Example: In ‘Last night she drove carefully in the rain’, ‘Last night’ is the adverbial.
Fill in the blank: An adverbial can have three different forms: adverb phrase, prepositional phrase, and _______.
Noun phrase
Example: ‘last night’ (noun phrase).
