Why is this a constituent?
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This is a linguistics question but I thought it related to english so I'm also posting here:
I have the following tree structure, and I don't understand why "of the lane" is a constituent?
The tests I know for constituency are:
Movement/Clefting
Substitution
Question/Answer
grammar grammaticality sentence-structure syntax
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
This is a linguistics question but I thought it related to english so I'm also posting here:
I have the following tree structure, and I don't understand why "of the lane" is a constituent?
The tests I know for constituency are:
Movement/Clefting
Substitution
Question/Answer
grammar grammaticality sentence-structure syntax
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
5
If toward the end of the lane is a constituent, so is of the lane; they're both PPs. There are lots more tests for constituency. See Chapter 3 of McCawley (1998).
– John Lawler
Dec 15 '16 at 0:25
Regarding PP's: polysyllabic.com/?q=book/export/html/148 ; the section headed functions talks of constituents. Also here: your sentence is broken down into the various word functions: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091017224619AAIZtK5
– Gary
Apr 30 '17 at 10:46
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
This is a linguistics question but I thought it related to english so I'm also posting here:
I have the following tree structure, and I don't understand why "of the lane" is a constituent?
The tests I know for constituency are:
Movement/Clefting
Substitution
Question/Answer
grammar grammaticality sentence-structure syntax
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
This is a linguistics question but I thought it related to english so I'm also posting here:
I have the following tree structure, and I don't understand why "of the lane" is a constituent?
The tests I know for constituency are:
Movement/Clefting
Substitution
Question/Answer
grammar grammaticality sentence-structure syntax
grammar grammaticality sentence-structure syntax
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
edited Dec 17 '16 at 9:32
Barmar
9,5391429
9,5391429
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
asked Dec 14 '16 at 23:56
Veesha Dawg
311
311
5
If toward the end of the lane is a constituent, so is of the lane; they're both PPs. There are lots more tests for constituency. See Chapter 3 of McCawley (1998).
– John Lawler
Dec 15 '16 at 0:25
Regarding PP's: polysyllabic.com/?q=book/export/html/148 ; the section headed functions talks of constituents. Also here: your sentence is broken down into the various word functions: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091017224619AAIZtK5
– Gary
Apr 30 '17 at 10:46
add a comment |
5
If toward the end of the lane is a constituent, so is of the lane; they're both PPs. There are lots more tests for constituency. See Chapter 3 of McCawley (1998).
– John Lawler
Dec 15 '16 at 0:25
Regarding PP's: polysyllabic.com/?q=book/export/html/148 ; the section headed functions talks of constituents. Also here: your sentence is broken down into the various word functions: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091017224619AAIZtK5
– Gary
Apr 30 '17 at 10:46
5
5
If toward the end of the lane is a constituent, so is of the lane; they're both PPs. There are lots more tests for constituency. See Chapter 3 of McCawley (1998).
– John Lawler
Dec 15 '16 at 0:25
If toward the end of the lane is a constituent, so is of the lane; they're both PPs. There are lots more tests for constituency. See Chapter 3 of McCawley (1998).
– John Lawler
Dec 15 '16 at 0:25
Regarding PP's: polysyllabic.com/?q=book/export/html/148 ; the section headed functions talks of constituents. Also here: your sentence is broken down into the various word functions: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091017224619AAIZtK5
– Gary
Apr 30 '17 at 10:46
Regarding PP's: polysyllabic.com/?q=book/export/html/148 ; the section headed functions talks of constituents. Also here: your sentence is broken down into the various word functions: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091017224619AAIZtK5
– Gary
Apr 30 '17 at 10:46
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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oldest
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up vote
1
down vote
I think that clefting works here:
'Twas of the lane that a jogger ran toward the end.
This does sound clunky and antique (the 'twas doesn't help with this), but it is a grammatical sentence.
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
add a comment |
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0
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1) Movement/Clefting
Your example sentence involves a PP [PP of the lane] contained within another PP, [PP toward the end [PP of the lane]]. It is very difficult to manipulate, specifically, extract out of, complex structures of this kind. (See for example, A-over-A Principle).
(1) a. A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
b. ?* [PPOf what] did a jogger run toward the end. (question)
c. ?* [PPOf the lane], a jogger ran toward the end. (topicalization)
d. ?* It was [PPof the lane] that a jogger ran toward the end. (it-cleft)
If you simplify the sentence but keep the constituent "the end of the lane" as in the original, you can apply the relevant tests.
(2) a. The jogger finally reached the end [PPof the lane].
b. [PPOf what] did the jogger finally reach the end? (question)
c. [PPOf the lane], the jogger finally reached the end. (topicalization)
d. It was [PPof the lane] that the jogger finally reached the end.
2) Substitution
You can substitute PPs with pronominal adverbs as pro-forms. The correct pro-form in this case is thereof.
(3) A jogger ran toward the end [thereof].
3) Question/Answer
For the same reason that you cannot easily move the of-phrase out of the toward-phrase in your particularly commplex example, you cannot easily build a a pair of question and answer fragment.
However, you can work around that by forming an "echo-question", where the interrogative items appear in the same place as the original PP, and for which you need a particularly emotial pragmatic context.
(4) A: A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
B: Excuse me!? A jogger ran toward the [PPOF WHAT]???
A: [PPOf a lane]. Why does that upset you so much?
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
I think that clefting works here:
'Twas of the lane that a jogger ran toward the end.
This does sound clunky and antique (the 'twas doesn't help with this), but it is a grammatical sentence.
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
I think that clefting works here:
'Twas of the lane that a jogger ran toward the end.
This does sound clunky and antique (the 'twas doesn't help with this), but it is a grammatical sentence.
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I think that clefting works here:
'Twas of the lane that a jogger ran toward the end.
This does sound clunky and antique (the 'twas doesn't help with this), but it is a grammatical sentence.
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
I think that clefting works here:
'Twas of the lane that a jogger ran toward the end.
This does sound clunky and antique (the 'twas doesn't help with this), but it is a grammatical sentence.
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
answered May 9 '17 at 21:23
Khuldraeseth na'Barya
580114
580114
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
1) Movement/Clefting
Your example sentence involves a PP [PP of the lane] contained within another PP, [PP toward the end [PP of the lane]]. It is very difficult to manipulate, specifically, extract out of, complex structures of this kind. (See for example, A-over-A Principle).
(1) a. A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
b. ?* [PPOf what] did a jogger run toward the end. (question)
c. ?* [PPOf the lane], a jogger ran toward the end. (topicalization)
d. ?* It was [PPof the lane] that a jogger ran toward the end. (it-cleft)
If you simplify the sentence but keep the constituent "the end of the lane" as in the original, you can apply the relevant tests.
(2) a. The jogger finally reached the end [PPof the lane].
b. [PPOf what] did the jogger finally reach the end? (question)
c. [PPOf the lane], the jogger finally reached the end. (topicalization)
d. It was [PPof the lane] that the jogger finally reached the end.
2) Substitution
You can substitute PPs with pronominal adverbs as pro-forms. The correct pro-form in this case is thereof.
(3) A jogger ran toward the end [thereof].
3) Question/Answer
For the same reason that you cannot easily move the of-phrase out of the toward-phrase in your particularly commplex example, you cannot easily build a a pair of question and answer fragment.
However, you can work around that by forming an "echo-question", where the interrogative items appear in the same place as the original PP, and for which you need a particularly emotial pragmatic context.
(4) A: A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
B: Excuse me!? A jogger ran toward the [PPOF WHAT]???
A: [PPOf a lane]. Why does that upset you so much?
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
1) Movement/Clefting
Your example sentence involves a PP [PP of the lane] contained within another PP, [PP toward the end [PP of the lane]]. It is very difficult to manipulate, specifically, extract out of, complex structures of this kind. (See for example, A-over-A Principle).
(1) a. A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
b. ?* [PPOf what] did a jogger run toward the end. (question)
c. ?* [PPOf the lane], a jogger ran toward the end. (topicalization)
d. ?* It was [PPof the lane] that a jogger ran toward the end. (it-cleft)
If you simplify the sentence but keep the constituent "the end of the lane" as in the original, you can apply the relevant tests.
(2) a. The jogger finally reached the end [PPof the lane].
b. [PPOf what] did the jogger finally reach the end? (question)
c. [PPOf the lane], the jogger finally reached the end. (topicalization)
d. It was [PPof the lane] that the jogger finally reached the end.
2) Substitution
You can substitute PPs with pronominal adverbs as pro-forms. The correct pro-form in this case is thereof.
(3) A jogger ran toward the end [thereof].
3) Question/Answer
For the same reason that you cannot easily move the of-phrase out of the toward-phrase in your particularly commplex example, you cannot easily build a a pair of question and answer fragment.
However, you can work around that by forming an "echo-question", where the interrogative items appear in the same place as the original PP, and for which you need a particularly emotial pragmatic context.
(4) A: A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
B: Excuse me!? A jogger ran toward the [PPOF WHAT]???
A: [PPOf a lane]. Why does that upset you so much?
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
1) Movement/Clefting
Your example sentence involves a PP [PP of the lane] contained within another PP, [PP toward the end [PP of the lane]]. It is very difficult to manipulate, specifically, extract out of, complex structures of this kind. (See for example, A-over-A Principle).
(1) a. A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
b. ?* [PPOf what] did a jogger run toward the end. (question)
c. ?* [PPOf the lane], a jogger ran toward the end. (topicalization)
d. ?* It was [PPof the lane] that a jogger ran toward the end. (it-cleft)
If you simplify the sentence but keep the constituent "the end of the lane" as in the original, you can apply the relevant tests.
(2) a. The jogger finally reached the end [PPof the lane].
b. [PPOf what] did the jogger finally reach the end? (question)
c. [PPOf the lane], the jogger finally reached the end. (topicalization)
d. It was [PPof the lane] that the jogger finally reached the end.
2) Substitution
You can substitute PPs with pronominal adverbs as pro-forms. The correct pro-form in this case is thereof.
(3) A jogger ran toward the end [thereof].
3) Question/Answer
For the same reason that you cannot easily move the of-phrase out of the toward-phrase in your particularly commplex example, you cannot easily build a a pair of question and answer fragment.
However, you can work around that by forming an "echo-question", where the interrogative items appear in the same place as the original PP, and for which you need a particularly emotial pragmatic context.
(4) A: A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
B: Excuse me!? A jogger ran toward the [PPOF WHAT]???
A: [PPOf a lane]. Why does that upset you so much?
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1) Movement/Clefting
Your example sentence involves a PP [PP of the lane] contained within another PP, [PP toward the end [PP of the lane]]. It is very difficult to manipulate, specifically, extract out of, complex structures of this kind. (See for example, A-over-A Principle).
(1) a. A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
b. ?* [PPOf what] did a jogger run toward the end. (question)
c. ?* [PPOf the lane], a jogger ran toward the end. (topicalization)
d. ?* It was [PPof the lane] that a jogger ran toward the end. (it-cleft)
If you simplify the sentence but keep the constituent "the end of the lane" as in the original, you can apply the relevant tests.
(2) a. The jogger finally reached the end [PPof the lane].
b. [PPOf what] did the jogger finally reach the end? (question)
c. [PPOf the lane], the jogger finally reached the end. (topicalization)
d. It was [PPof the lane] that the jogger finally reached the end.
2) Substitution
You can substitute PPs with pronominal adverbs as pro-forms. The correct pro-form in this case is thereof.
(3) A jogger ran toward the end [thereof].
3) Question/Answer
For the same reason that you cannot easily move the of-phrase out of the toward-phrase in your particularly commplex example, you cannot easily build a a pair of question and answer fragment.
However, you can work around that by forming an "echo-question", where the interrogative items appear in the same place as the original PP, and for which you need a particularly emotial pragmatic context.
(4) A: A jogger ran toward the end [PPof the lane].
B: Excuse me!? A jogger ran toward the [PPOF WHAT]???
A: [PPOf a lane]. Why does that upset you so much?
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
answered 53 mins ago
Richard Z
665
665
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Richard Z is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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5
If toward the end of the lane is a constituent, so is of the lane; they're both PPs. There are lots more tests for constituency. See Chapter 3 of McCawley (1998).
– John Lawler
Dec 15 '16 at 0:25
Regarding PP's: polysyllabic.com/?q=book/export/html/148 ; the section headed functions talks of constituents. Also here: your sentence is broken down into the various word functions: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091017224619AAIZtK5
– Gary
Apr 30 '17 at 10:46