1367260110.5528Understanding Syntax

Looking inside sentences 105(9) a. Mae Aled yn darllen y llyfr. (Welsh)be.pres.3sg Aled prog read.infin the book‘Aled is reading the book.’b. Dydy Aled ddim yn darllen y llyfr.neg.be.pres.3sg Aled neg prog read.infin the book‘Aled isn’t reading the book.’5. Examine the English sentences in (1) to (8).Task: (i) Mark in bold type the main verb (i.e. the lexical verb) in each clause.This will help you find where the clauses are. Now, (ii), decide which is the rootclause in each example, and underline its main verb. Also, (iii), give at least onepiece of evidence for the root status of each of these root clauses you’ve pickedout, using the tests established in Section 3.2. Next (iv), underline each of thesubordinate clauses. Give at least one piece of evidence that each clause you’vechosen really is a subordinate clause, using the criteria established in Section 3.2.Then, (v), list the adjunct clauses and (vi) the complement clauses, giving someevidence for your decision in each case. Finally, (vii), say which matrix verb eachof the complement clauses is a complement to.HintHere is an example that I’ve done for you: Kim has sometimes wondered how tocope with unexpected visitors.(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v-vii)Kim has sometimes wondered how to cope with unexpected visitors.Kim has sometimes wondered how to cope with unexpected visitors.The wondered clause is the root clause here because (a) it cantake a tag question: Kim has sometimes wondered how to cope withunexpected visitors, hasn’t he? and (b) it can take subject/auxiliaryinversion: Has Kim sometimes wondered how to cope with unexpectedvisitors? These tests are not relevant for the how to cope … clause asthis is non-finite.There is just one subordinate clause, how to cope with unexpectedvisitors This can only be a subordinate clause in English, because it’snon-finite.This is a complement clause; the complement to wondered. Wonderobligatorily selects an embedded interrogative clause (i.e. a clauseintroduced by a question word such as how, why, whether and so on).(1) Lee knows it’s illegal but she still photocopied the entire book.(2) Kim can’t accept that the earth was only formed 5,000 years ago.(3) That student with the unbelievably bright red sweatshirt over in the corner oftenstays in the gym till around 11pm.