Grammatical Functions and Sentence Structure in Spanish Syntax
Syntactic Phrases and Their Structure
A phrase (or syntagma) is a sequence of words arranged around a nucleus, functioning as a specific unit within a sentence. It is the specific name given to the whole unit.
Types of Phrases
- Noun Phrase (NP): Structure: Determinant + Core + (Complements).
- Prepositional Phrase (PP): Structure: Preposition + (Determinant) + Subordinated Syntagma/Clause.
- Adjectival Phrase (AdjP): Structure: (Quantifier/Degree of Intensity) + Adjective + Complement.
- Adverbial Phrase (AdvP)
Mastering Sentence Structure and Textual Cohesion
Sentence Structure and Syntax
Juxtaposition
Sentences or clauses placed side-by-side, separated by punctuation (e.g., comma, semicolon, colon), without explicit coordinating or subordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating Conjunctions
These link elements of equal grammatical rank.
- Copulative (Addition): and, nor, or that.
- Disjunctive (Choice): or, u.
- Adversative (Contrast): more, but, yet, however, nevertheless.
- Explanatory: that is, namely, i.e.
- Distributive: and … and, well … well, now … now.
Subordinating
Read MoreTextual Quality: Adequacy, Cohesion, and Discourse Markers
Adequacy in Textual Communication
A text must adapt its form and content depending on the communication process. Therefore, it must match the characteristics of the elements that define the situation in which the text occurs, specifically:
- Who are the sender and the recipient?
- To what end is the text created?
- What matter is being discussed?
- Through what channel is it transmitted?
For example, a newspaper must adapt its vocabulary. News announcing the death of someone important should use “deceased” rather
Read MoreMastering English Syntax: Verbs, Clauses, and Phrases
Constituent Identification Criteria
- Replace pronoun/proform
- Question criterion
- Cleft structures and pseudo-clefts
Adjectives vs. Adverbs in English
Adjective Characteristics
- Attributive position
- Cannot be used predicatively (for some types)
- Verbs are not gradable (when modified by certain adverbs)
Adverb Characteristics
- Typically modify verbs, often as manner adverbs
-ing Adjectives Explained
- Attributive position
- Predicative position
- Intensification
- Gradation
English Phrase Structures
Adjective Phrases
- Modifier +
Spanish Grammar: Complements, Periphrasis, and Uses of ‘Se’
Grammatical Complements in Spanish
Agent Complement
In passive constructions, the agent complement designates the entity that performs the action expressed by the verb and is preceded by a preposition (usually por or de).
- Example: “La luna fue observada por los presentes.” (“The moon was observed by those present.”) Here, “por los presentes” is the agent complement.
Circumstantial Complement
The circumstantial complement provides information about the circumstances (spatial coordinates, time, manner,
Read MoreEnglish Grammar and Sentence Structure Analysis
Repairing Dangling Modifiers
- To become a good photographer, one must use the camera carefully.
- While we were driving up the rock-strewn mountain, the tire went flat.
- When we checked the records, the error became clear.
- When I was only a toddler, Dad took me scuba diving.
Verb Complementation Patterns
Make up sentences using the following verb complementation patterns:
- S + V + NP + NP (ditransitive verb)
She gave her friend a gift. - S + V + PP (prepositional verb)
He looked at the painting for a long time. - S