Spanish Syntax: Complements, Voice, and Sentence Types
Complementos del Predicado Verbal
Complemento Directo (CD)
Se expresa mediante un Sintagma Nominal (SN) o un Sintagma Preposicional (S.Prep) introducido por la preposición a (cuando se refiere a personas o entidades personificadas). Ejemplo: Tengo un libro (SN CD). El CD se sustituye por los pronombres átonos lo, la, los, las.
Complemento Indirecto (CI)
Se expresa mediante un S.Prep introducido por la preposición a. Se sustituye por los pronombres le, les. Otros pronombres que pueden desempeñar
Read MoreKey Concepts in English Clause Syntax and Structure
Clause Subclasses and Related Structures
Clause Types
- Content Clauses (e.g., the talk he gave, that…)
- Relative Clauses
- Comparative Clauses
Related Phrase/Clause Examples
- AdjP (Adjective Phrase): e.g., Andrea – happy to be included…
- PP (Prepositional Phrase): e.g., the final march – between…
- AdvP (Adverb Phrase): e.g., They travel – usually – by train
- Clause: e.g., If she fails – and she probably will…
Coordination Types
Basic Coordination
- Unmarked Coordination (e.g., apples, oranges…)
- Repetition
Adjective Characteristics and Functions
Understanding Adjectives
Definition and Role
Adjectives modify nouns by indicating a quality. An adjective complements a noun, meaning it describes, qualifies, or limits the noun’s meaning. E.g., tall.
Morphological Analysis
Key aspects of adjective analysis include: grade, gender, and number.
Functions of Adjectives
Modifying Nouns
The adjective provides a quality or state to the noun it accompanies.
Example: Lead is heavy.
Example: The lamb is gentle.
Word Order and Apocope
Adjectives usually follow the
Read MoreMastering Subordinate Clauses: Types, Functions, and Examples
Understanding Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses play a crucial role in the main proposition of a sentence.
Examples:
- I like heavy rain (Subject)
- I want to buy a car (Direct Object)
There are three main types of subordinate clauses, categorized by their function: noun, adjective, or adverb.
Examples:
- I like to try so hard (noun clause)
- I have a friend who works hard (adjective clause)
- They arrived when we had finished dinner (adverbial clause)
Substantive (Noun) Clauses
Noun clauses function as nouns
Read MoreSentence Structure, Connectors, and Poetic Elements
Sentence and Its Parts
A sentence is the smallest unit of speech that expresses a complete thought.
Subject
The person or thing performing the action or being described.
Predicate
What is said about the subject; it typically includes the verb.
Implicit Subject
This occurs when the subject is not explicitly named but is understood from the context (e.g., in commands like “Run!” the subject is an implied “you“). Example: The car runs. (Explicit Subject: The car)
Subject-Verb Agreement
This is the grammatical
Read MoreUnderstanding Language Functions, Statements, and Speech
Language Functions
Language functions serve different purposes for which the issuer may use language in a communicative situation.
Representative or Referential Function
This function characterizes messages in which the sender transmits information. The verbs are in the 3rd person, targeting lexico (e.g., paracetamol is on the shelf).
Expressive and Emotional Function
This function characterizes messages expressing the issuer’s opinions and feelings. The verbs are in the 1st person, often using questions
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