Grammar - Syntax Flashcards
Grammar
The whole system and structure of a language (including morphology and syntax)
Syntax
The word order and grammatical structure of sentences
Double Negative
Two negatives placed in the same sentence, thereby turning it into a positive
For example:
It can’t possibly not rain = It will rain
Tautology
Producing redundancy through saying the same thing twice in different words
For example:
Sam’s AUTOBIOGRAPHY of HIS OWN LIFE
Clause
A grammatical unit which can either stand alone (main clause) or support a section of the sentence (subordinate clause) but it must contain a verb
Main Clause
A clause which is complete by itself and as such, can form an independent sentence
For example:
I walk the dog
Subordinate Clause
A clause which is not complete by itself and as such, cannot form independent sentence
For example:
Because the pig rolled.
Conditional Clause
A specific type of subordinate clause which expresses an imagined situation or condition and the possible result of that situation - it is usually introduced with either IF or UNLESS
For Example:
If it rains
Relative Clause
A specific type of subordinate clause which adds more information to the noun and is usually introduced with a relative pronoun
For example:
My gran, who is 82, still lives in Newcastle.
Co-ordination
Joining aspects of a sentence together using coordinating conjunctions. These are FANBOYS
Subordination
Joining aspects of a sentence together using subordinating conjunctions.
For example:
Because
Sentence
A unit of meaning which is formed from a clause / several clauses (except in the case of the minor / orthographic sentences)
Simple Sentence
One complete independent clause
For example:
I burnt dinner.
Compound Sentence
2 or more independent clauses which are joined together with a coordinating conjunction
For example:
I made tea and she fell asleep.
Complex Sentence
An independent close and a dependent / subordinate clause which are usually joined with either a subordinating conjunction or a comma
For example:
Whilst I was sleeping, I walked around my house.
Compound-Complex Sentence
They have at least two independent clauses and a subordinate clause.
For example:
When it was snowing, Pippa read and she drank hot chocolate.
Orthographic / Minor Sentence
A sentence without a verb (also called a fragment sentence)
For example:
Oh my God!
Declarative Utterance
A sentence which makes a statement
Exclamative Utterance
A sentence which has an expressive function and ends with an exclamation mark
Imperative Utterance
A sentence which is a command
Interrogative Utterance
A sentence which asks a question
Conditional Utterance
A main clause and a conditional clause showing possibility.
For example:
If it rains, I will cry.
Subject
The noun, pronoun or noun phrase that precedes and governs the main verb.
Object
A noun, noun phrase or a pronoun that is affected by the action of a verb.