Chapter 9: Syntax
Consider the following questions
1. What kinds of sentences can you identify that are not covered by the set of phrase structure rules from this chapter?
2. a. Underline and identify all of the phrases that are in these sentences.
b. Tell what tense and aspect are indicated by each sentence.
The children are going home.
I may have looked up in the attic before dinner.
The cheerleaders held up the bank for their pregnant captain.
She may have been leaving her husband.
Syntax is boring for the students.
The small green frog kissed the old witch.
She bought a red car for her younger brother.
The book on the table is interesting to young children.
That student goes to France in the spring for vacation.
He might have been very late on Monday.
3. Are the following sentences transitive or intransitive?
My car broke down. He threw the ball away.
Bill got off the bus at my house. He broke down the engine.
She turned the oven off. She was turned off by the smell.
I called off the meeting. She passed out at the party.
He burned down the building. The building burned down.
He left his coat. He left his room.
4. In each of the following sentences, underline the preposition(s) or particle(s) and identify
She turned down the job. She turned down the street.
You backed down the driveway well. You backed down quickly last fight.
He ran out the door. He ran out of beer.
He’ll turn up eventually. He’ll turn up the volume.
Let’s get down to business. Get the cat down off the television.
Let’s knock off at midnight. She bought a knockoff of a designer dress.
Suggested Readings
Carnie, A. (2021). Syntax: A Generative Introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
Dorgeloh, H., & Wanner, A. (2022). Discourse Syntax. Cambridge University Press.
Huddleston, R., Pullum, G. K., & Reynolds, B. (2021). A Student's Introduction to English Grammar. Cambridge University Press.
Larsen-Freeman, D., & Celce-Murcia, M. (2016). The Grammar Book. Form, Meaning and Use for English Language Teachers, 3rd edition. Heinle ELT.
Miller, J. (2011). A critical introduction to syntax. Continuum Publishing.
Van Gelderen, E. (2010). An Introduction to the Grammar of English: Revised edition. John Benjamins Publishing.
Interesting Website
- John McIntire: Rubbish you were taught in school
Handouts
- Syntax review handout
- Syntax review handout explained
