2. Unit five: The lexicon
• The lexicon is the set of all words in a language that
are registered in a dictionary.
• An entry is each word included in a dictionary.
Each word provides information about meaning,
pronunciation, word class, derivation and
inflection, etc.
3. Lexical Verbs
Lexical verbs are all the verbs in the language, except
auxiliary verbs.
Complement configuration: number and kind of
complements that each individual verb might take.
- He bought a house (NP)
- She is smart
- Mike works in this company
- He suggested that you should come to the meeting
4. Unit six: Clauses I
• A clause contains basically an NP (subject) and a VP
(predicate).
Each clause:
1. Has a finite verb (tensed verb).
2. The verb takes one or more complements;
3. Each clause expresses mood (indicative, interrogative,
imperative);
• A sentence contains two or more clauses.
5. Main and subordinate clauses
- Main clauses express full meaning.
- Subordinate clauses must be attached to a main clause to
express a complete meaning.
Sentences:
- Compound = two or more independent clauses joined by
conjunctions.
Martha cooks lunch and Sam sets the table
- Complex = a main clause and one or more subordinate
clauses.
Sam believed that his house was haunted
6. Subordinate clauses
1.Complement clauses, which occur in noun slots
as complements of verbs:
Mike regretted that he has visited
Paula (DO)
Mike regretted his actions (DO).
7. Relative clauses modify nouns:
The book which you gave Laura is interesting.
The book that you gave Laura is interesting
The boy who is at the door is very smart
8. Adverbial clauses modify other clauses;
they are treated as adjuncts:
Reason: I went home because I was tired.
Time: She was in Rome when the accident
happened.
Manner: Sam changes his plans easily
Condition: I can help you if you need it
Concession: Even though Sam was very
sad, he did not cried.
9. Form and Function
Form refers to the way words are put together to
form larger structures as clauses.
Function refers to what the clause does within a
sentence:
Complement clauses modify verbs and nouns;
Relative clauses modify nouns
Adverbial clauses modify other clauses
