Word Function.pdf
- 1. FUNCTIONS OF WORDS IN CONTEXT By N. Valdelomar
- 2. Sentence Structure as a Key to Meaning Whyis it important toidentify the structureof a sentence? Reading requires more than knowing the meaning of individual words. We have to know how individual words combine together to produce a meaningful group We also need to know how these groups of words combine together to produce meaningful sentences.
- 3. Which elements make up the basic sentences. What each element looks like (form). The position of each element in the sentence. What kind of information each element brings to the sentence. We can do this if we know:
- 4. Form and Function One way to organize sentence structure is to think of form and function. When we talk about form, we mean word classes such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, among others. When we talk about function, we refer to these structures in context. For example, the word “outside” is an adverb. That is its form. But when we look at it in context, we find out that it might have different functions.
- 5. Examples In this case, the adverb outside is telling us where the puppy is sleeping. Its function is adverbial. In this case, the same adverb outside is modifying the noun “puppy.” This means that it is not any puppy but a specific puppy of which I’m talking about. Its function is adjectival. The puppy is sleeping outside. The puppy outside is mine.
- 6. Examples In this case, fish is part of a verbal phrase. It describes an action. Its function is verbal. In this case, fish is determining the word pie. This means that it is not any pie but a specific type of pie. Fish here is a noun, and its function is adjectival. I may fish this afternoon. Later, I’ll make fish pie.
- 7. Main Functions There are four main functions of structures in English: Adverbial (ADV) Adjectival (ADJ) Nominal (N) Verbal (V) They have the same function that nouns, adjectives, adverbs, or verbs have in a sentence. ❖ a noun (being subjects or objects) ❖ an adjective (modifying nouns) ❖ an adverb (modyfying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs) ❖ a verb (relating to actions, moods or states)
- 8. Nominals Nominals are subjects or objects. Nouns, pronouns, names, reflexives: Courage is one of the hallmarks of a hero. Laura is really popular. I like her a lot. Noun phrases: The old house needs repairment. -ing endings: Jogging is really popular. to-infinitives: I like to swim.
- 9. Adjectivals Adjectives modify or determine nouns. Adjectives: The kind man welcomed me. Nouns: I need a health insurance. -ing endings: The running water was cool. -ed/en endings: He was really confused. to-infinitives: They gave him an opportunity to escape. Prepositional phrases: The book on the table is mine. Genitive case (possessive case ’s): The prize helped increase Ana’s confidence.
- 10. Adverbials What is an adverbial? An adverbial is a word o group of words that modifies verbs. They give additional information about the action or situation and answer questions such as: When? Where? How? Why? In spite of which event? For what purpose? On what condition?
- 11. Adverbials Adverbs also modify or determine adjectives or other adverbs. Adverb: She’s practically deaf. -ing endings: They came running. Prepositional phrases: Before my birthday, I’ll have an exam. Nominals: I go to the beach every summer.
- 12. Verbals or Verb Phrases Verbs: He met her last year. Auxiliaries + verbs: I will go to the party. They are resting after a long day. She has been making a cake.
- 13. What’s the function of the word “painting” in each phrase or sentence? Brown’s skillful painting is a delight to watch. I watched Brown painting his daughter. The silently painting man is Brown. Brown is painting his daughter.