Syntax III: Phrase Structure

Flashcards based on the key concepts of phrase structure, tests for determining constituents, modifiers, complement options, and structural ambiguity.

What are the three tests for determining phrase structure?

Substitution, Movement, Coordination.

What does the substitution test for phrase structure involve?

Replacing a string of words with a single word to see if it maintains grammaticality.

Give an example of the movement test in phrase structure.

The phrase 'under the table' can be moved to the front of the sentence: 'Under the table, there was a cat.'

What is the coordination test for phrase structure?

It checks if a string can be combined with another of the same type, as in: 'The woman in the red dress looked in the mirror and brushed her hair.'

How is a modifier defined in phrase structure?

A modifier is an optional phrase that denotes a property of the head.

What is the general structure of a noun phrase (NP) with an adjective phrase (AP) modifier?

NP → (Det) (AP) N (PP*).

What does subcategorization refer to in phrase structure?

The classification of words in terms of their complement options.

What are some complement options for the verb 'put'?

The verb 'put' allows an NP and a PP complement, e.g., 'He put poison in the drink'.

What is structural ambiguity in phrases or sentences?

It's when component words can be combined in multiple ways.

In the sentence 'The candidate discussed violence on TV', how can 'on TV' function?

It can function as a complement of either the noun 'violence' or the verb 'discussed'.