Verb Conjugation and Coordinated Propositions
Verb Conjugation: Regular and Irregular Forms
Conjugation is the set of all the ways a verb can appear, i.e., all tenses in all ways.
Regular verbs are those verbs that retain the same root in all their forms and take the same endings as the verb that serves as a model.
SING  CANT-O CANT-É CANT-É |
| FEAR TEM-O TEM-Í TEM-É |
Irregular verbs are those verbs that do not maintain the same root in all their forms and do not take the same endings as the verb that serves as a model.
| BE EST-OY EST-UVE |
Phrase Definition and Types: Noun, Adjective, Adverb, Verb
Phrase Definition and Types
A phrase is a functional unit, i.e., one or more words that play a role within a sentence. There are several types of phrases, distinguished by their core element (nucleus):
- Noun Phrases (NP): Nucleus is a noun.
- Adjective Phrases (AdjP): Nucleus is an adjective.
- Adverbial Phrases (AdvP): Nucleus is an adverb.
- Verb Phrases (VP): Nucleus is a verb.
Noun Phrase Structure
Like every phrase, the NP is part of a larger unit, but it is also constituted by smaller units. Some phrases
Read MoreAdjective and Noun Phrases: Structure
The Adjective Phrase (AP)
Examples:
- Impertinent (adjective alone)
- Very impertinent (intensifier + adjective)
- Unaware of any wrongdoing (adjective + PP)
- Disappointed that someone had lied (adjective + clause)
- Afraid to make a move (adjective + infinitival)
- Fully aware of his surroundings (adverb + adjective + PP)
Complex Noun Phrases (NPs): Single-Word Premodifier + Head
| Form of Premodifier | Example |
|---|---|
| Article | The wombats escaped. |
| Adjective Phrase | Strong winds. |
| Demonstrative Pronoun | That vase is valuable. |
| Genitive NP | Sheila’ |
Understanding Noun Phrases: Structure and Functions
Syntagma CALL
This is the first of phrases for its ability to function as the subject of the sentence.
How the Noun Phrase Works
It has a noun or pronoun as its core. It can be accompanied by adjacent determinants.
Determinants: Articles (definite, indefinite), possessive pronouns, cardinal numerals, ordinal multiples, fractional numerals, indefinite pronouns, relative possessive pronouns, interrogative pronouns, exclamatory pronouns, distributive pronouns.
Core: Nouns, pronouns, substantivized words.
Read MoreUnderstanding Nouns: Types, Usage, and Examples
Understanding Nouns
Of all the parts of speech, nouns are perhaps the most important. A noun is a word that identifies a person, animal, place, thing, or idea.
Abstract Nouns
An abstract noun is a type of noun that refers to something with which a person cannot physically interact. Examples of common abstract nouns include:
Emotions/Feelings
- Love
- Hate
- Anger
- Peace
- Pride
- Sympathy
States/Attributes
- Bravery
- Loyalty
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Pain
- Misery
Ideas/Concepts/Ideals
- Belief
- Dream
- Justice
- Truth
- Faith
Movements/Events
- Progress
- Education
- Hospitality
- Leisure
- Trouble
Nouns
Read MoreSemantic Changes, Adverbs, and Linguistics
Semantic Changes: Words that, over the years, maintain their signifier but take on a different meaning. There are different linguistic causes for this:
- Historical: Changes due to shifts in reality.
- Psychological: Hatred or sympathy for certain animals has led to positive or negative qualities being applied to people.
- Social: Positive or negative reviews of societal actions and situations involving humans. Example: My sister is a “social ant.”
- Taboos: Words that, for various reasons, speakers are reluctant