Adjective Phrases: Difference between revisions

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The Adjective Phrase (AP)
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The distribution of the adjective phrase
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== The Adjective Phrase (AP) ==
 
=== The distribution of the adjective phrase ===
 
An AP can occur
An AP can occur
following a 'linking verb' (copula verb): Kim is/feels/sounds/smells __.
 
The pro-form so can be used to refer to an AP: Kim is [very interested in snooker] and so is Pat.
* following a 'linking verb' (copula verb): <span style="color: blue>Kim is/feels/sounds/smells __.</span>
The internal structure of the adjective phrase
 
An AP must contain an adjective
The pro-form ''so'' can be used to refer to an AP: <span style="color: blue>Kim is [very interested in snooker] and so is Pat.</span>
An AP may contain:
 
a degree word (very, quite, extremely) at the left periphery of the AP
=== The internal structure of the adjective phrase ===
a PP following the AP (proud [PP: of their children], fond [PP: of icecream])
 
an infinitival VP introduced with to following the AP (eager [to leave early], easy [to read])
* An AP must contain an adjective
a clause (certain [that Kim will arrive on time])
* An AP may contain:
In English, an AP in prenominal (i.e. attributive) position may not contain elements following the adjective:
** a degree word (<span style="color: blue>very, quite, extremely</span>) at the left periphery of the AP
Kim is [AP: very proud [PP: of the children]].
** a PP following the AP (<span style="color: blue>proud [<sub>PP</sub> of their children], fond [<sub>PP</sub> of icecream]</span>)
the [AP: very proud] teacher
** an infinitival VP introduced with to following the AP (<span style="color: blue>eager [to leave early], easy [to read]</span>)
*the [AP: very proud [PP: of the children]] teacher
** a clause (<span style="color: blue>certain [that Kim will arrive on time]</span>)
Example 1: An AP with a degree word and a clause
 
                __AP________
In English, an AP in prenominal (i.e. attributive) position must not contain elements following the adjective:
              /  |         \
 
              /   |     ____S_____
<span style="color: blue>Kim is [<sub>AP</sub> very proud [<sub>PP</sub> of the children]].</span><br>
            Adv  A    /         \
<span style="color: blue>the [<sub>AP</sub> very proud] teacher</span><br>
            |    |    /____________\
<span style="color: blue>*the [<sub>AP</sub> very proud [<sub>PP</sub> of the children]] teacher</span>
    Kim is very happy that Pat called.
 
 
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  [[Verb_Phrases| &larr; Verb Phrases]]  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   [[Prepositional_Phrases|Prepositional Phrases &rarr;]]
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Latest revision as of 09:39, 26 April 2017

The Adjective Phrase (AP)

The distribution of the adjective phrase

An AP can occur

  • following a 'linking verb' (copula verb): Kim is/feels/sounds/smells __.

The pro-form so can be used to refer to an AP: Kim is [very interested in snooker] and so is Pat.

The internal structure of the adjective phrase

  • An AP must contain an adjective
  • An AP may contain:
    • a degree word (very, quite, extremely) at the left periphery of the AP
    • a PP following the AP (proud [PP of their children], fond [PP of icecream])
    • an infinitival VP introduced with to following the AP (eager [to leave early], easy [to read])
    • a clause (certain [that Kim will arrive on time])

In English, an AP in prenominal (i.e. attributive) position must not contain elements following the adjective:

Kim is [AP very proud [PP of the children]].
the [AP very proud] teacher
*the [AP very proud [PP of the children]] teacher