7 case subject verb concord
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Semantic Roles of Clause Elements & Subject-Verb Concord
Florian Mehm & Christian Heinig
PS Grammar, 2007-01-24
![Page 2: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
2
Contents (1)
Semantic roles of clause elementsIntroductionSemantic rolesInteraction between semantic roles and syntaxTransitivity in Systemic Functional GrammarCase grammarFrame grammar / FrameNet
![Page 3: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
Contents (2)
Subject-verb concordIntroductionGeneral rule (grammatical concord)Notional concordProximityCoordinationSummary
![Page 4: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Semantic Roles of Clause Elements
![Page 5: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Identifying the subject
The duke gave my aunt this teapot.
This teapot my aunt was given by the duke.
This teapot was given to my aunt by the duke.
![Page 6: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
What is the subject
Grammatical subject: is related to the predicate via the verb
This teapot my aunt was given by the duke.Logical subject: the actor that brings the happening about
This teapot my aunt was given by the duke.Psychological subject: The subject that the speaker puts emphasis on
This teapot my aunt was given by the duke.
![Page 7: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
Semantic roles
The semantic role a noun phrase plays in a clause (as opposed to syntactical function)
(also called thematic role or theta-role)There is no agreement over the set of semantic roles.
Fillmore (1968) lists 6Quirk et. al. (1985) list 13
Theta-criterion: Each NP covers exactly one role and each role is present at most once in a clause.
![Page 8: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
Semantic roles as deep cases (1)
Grammatical cases indicate the relations between words on the level of syntax.
Semantic roles indicate the relation between participants on the level of semantics.
![Page 9: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
Semantic roles as deep cases (2)
Semantic roles remain the same in paraphrases while the NPs change grammatical function and case.
The duke gave her this teapot.This teapot she was given by the duke.
They are therefore called “deep cases” by Fillmore (1968).
![Page 10: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
AGENTIVE
(also AGENT)The animate being instigating or causing the happening.
Margaret is mowing the grass.The game is played by more than 8 million players.
Usual role of subject
![Page 11: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
AFFECTED (1)
(also PATIENT or OBJECTIVE)A participant (animate or inanimate) which does not cause the happening, but is directly involved in some other wayUsual choice for the direct object
James sold his digital watch yesterday.The researchers discovered a fascinating thing.
![Page 12: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
AFFECTED (2)
Also possible for the subjectThe pencil was lying on the table.
IDENTIFIED:Kevin is my brother.
CHARACTERIZED:The fish is frying.
![Page 13: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
RECIPIENT
(also DATIVE)The animate being that is passively implicated by the happening or stateTypical choice for the indirect object
The duke gave my aunt this teapot.
Also possible for the subject:John saw the bright morning sky.(With verbs of cognition/feeling/sensing also called EXPERIENCER or SENSER)
![Page 14: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
ATTRIBUTE
Typical for subject (SC) and object (OC) complementIDENTIFICATION
Kevin is my brother. (SC)They called their daughter Edna. (OC)
CHARACTERIZATIONAnimals are a major group of organisms. (SC)The teacher called their daughter a good student. (OC)
CURRENT ATTRIBUTE: He's my brother.RESULTING ATTRIBUTE: He turned traitor.
![Page 15: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
Further roles (1)
EXTERNAL CAUSER: The unwitting (generally inanimate) cause of an event.
The avalanche destroyed several houses.
INSTRUMENT: The entity (usually inanimate) which an agent uses to perform an action.
As subject: A car knocked them down.As object: We employ a computer for our calculations.
![Page 16: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
Further roles (2)
POSITIONER: With verbs related to stance (e.g. sit, stand, remain, keep, hold). The subject is in control but there is no change in the situation
He kept himself upright.My friend is sitting in a chair near the door.
Prop it subject (Used when no subject is required)Time: It's ten o'clock precisely.Atmospheric conditions: It's raining.Distance: It's a long way to Denver.
![Page 17: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17
Further roles (3)
LOCATIVE: Designating the place of the actionAs subject: Los Angeles is foggy.As object: We walked the streets.
TEMPORAL: Designating the time of the actionYesterday was a holiday.
EVENTIVE (as subject): The match is tomorrow.
![Page 18: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18
Further roles (4)
RESULTANT: The object exists only by virtue of the happening
I'm writing a letter.COGNATE: Object is semantically and often morphologically related to the verb; It has the role of repeating the content
Chris will sing a song for us.EVENTIVE (as object): verb of general meaning (have, do, give) + deverbal noun; extension of the verb
They are having an argument.
![Page 19: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
Effects on syntax (1)
We usually cannot coordinate subjects with different roles:
The gamekeeper wounded him. (AGENTIVE)A gun wounded him. (INSTRUMENTAL)* The gamekeeper and a gun wounded him.
Possible with EXTERNAL CAUSER + AGENTIVE
Hurricanes and marauding bands devastated the region (at different times).
![Page 20: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Effects on syntax (2)
When a subject plays the RECIPIENT (or EXPERIENCER) role, the relation between subject and verb is not one of “doing” something, therefore it is not possible to probe or substitute using the verb “do”.
Mary liked the gift.* What did Mary do to the gift? She liked it.* What Mary did to the gift was like it.
![Page 21: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
Interactions of verbs and roles
Verbs may have restrictions on the roles in the sentence.Example: taste, smell, feelHave a sense that requires AGENTIVE and one that requires RECIPIENT
Foolishly, he tasted the soup.* Foolishly, he tasted the pepper in the soup.
![Page 22: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
Choice of subject
The first role from this list that is present is usually chosen as subject:
AGENT, EXTERNAL CAUSER, POSITIONERAFFECTEDTEMPORAL, LOCATIVE, EVENTIVEProp word “it”
(e.g. if there is no AGENT, EXTERNAL CAUSER or POSITIONER but an AFFECTED, it will be chosen as subject.)
![Page 23: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23
Transitivity system of Systemic Functional Grammar
Identifies 6 different process types (material, mental, relational, behavioural, verbal, existential) with corresponding participant rolesExample: mental clauses
SenserPhenomenon
Mary liked the gift.The gift pleased Mary.
![Page 24: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
Case grammar
Introduced by Charles J. Fillmore in 1968Construes sentences as the combination of a verb and a set of deep cases (semantic roles)Each verb has a case frame, indicating which deep cases can be used in a clause using this verb.
![Page 25: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
Frame grammar
Further development from case grammarAssumes that...
lexical items are related in the context of frames.choosing different items from one frame foregrounds varying aspects of the background frame.
![Page 26: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26
FrameNet (1)
Online database featuring more than 625 semantic frameshttp://framenet.icsi.berkeley.edu/135.000 sentences annotated using the frames
![Page 27: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
27
FrameNet (2)
The Education_teaching frame“This frame contains words referring to teaching and the participants in teaching. A Student comes to learn either about a Subject; a Skill; a Precept; or a Fact as a result of instruction by a Teacher.”
![Page 28: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
28
FrameNet (3)
My friend studies psychology.Psychology is being taught to my friend.My friend receives training in psychology.My friend is a student of psychology.
Variation (active/passive, subject choice, implication of the teaching institution) between the sentences, yet the same situation is described using the same frame elements.
![Page 29: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Subject-Verb Concord
![Page 30: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
30
Introduction
Concord / “agreement”: relationship between two grammatical units where a feature (e.g. plurality) in one unit accords to a feature in the other.The concord of 3rd person number between subject and verb (“grammatical concord”) is the most common and important type of concord in English.
![Page 31: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
31
General rule
Subject is singular verb must also be singularThe mouse eats the cheese.The cat chases the mouse.
Subject is plural verb must also be pluralThe dogs hunt the cat.The killers shoot the dogs.
![Page 32: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
32
Noun phrases, (non)finite clauses
A NP as subject counts as singular if its head is singular.
The change in the algorithm is well documented.The changes in the algorithm are well documented.
Finite and nonfinite clauses: singular.How you got there doesn’t concern me.
![Page 33: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
33
PPs, nominal relative clauses
PPs and adverbs that function as subject are also considered singular.
In the evenings is best for me.Slowly does it!
Nominal relative clauses: concord depends on the number of the determined noun.
What was once a palace is now a pile of rubble.What ideas he has are his wife’s.
![Page 34: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
34
Special cases (1)
“to be” is the only verb that shows concord of number in the 3rd person past.
My daughter was watching TV.My daughters were watching TV.
All other verbs only display concord in the 3rd person present.
My daughter watched TV.My daughters watched TV.
![Page 35: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
35
Special cases (2)
There is no number concord in nonfinite verbs / imperatives, only in the indicative.
Modal auxiliaries also do not show number concord.
My daughter may watch TV.My daughters may watch TV.
![Page 36: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
36
Notional concord (1)
Agreement not based on the grammatical number, but on the notion.
The government has/have? broken all its/their? promises. <BrE>
Plural NPs of quantity or measure: singular is used.
Ten dollars is all I have left.Two miles is as far as they can walk.
The government have broken all theirpromises. <BrE>
![Page 37: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
37
Notional concord (2)
With “more than” grammatical concord is more frequently used than notional concord.
More than a thousand inhabitants havesigned the petition.More than one member has protested against the proposal.
![Page 38: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
38
Notional concord (3)
Collective nouns: in BrE the number of the verb usually depends on whether the group is notionally a collection of individuals or a single unit.
The audience were enjoying every minute of it. (Each individual enjoys it!)The audience was enormous. (Not every person is enormously large!)
![Page 39: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
39
Notional concord (4)
In AmE, singular collective nouns normally require a singular verb.But plural pronouns are frequent:
The committee has not yet decided how they should react to the Governor’s letter.
In doubt it is generally safer to use the singular verb, obeying to grammatical concord.
![Page 40: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
40
Proximity / “attraction”
Agreement of the verb with a closely preceding NP instead of the head of the subject NP.
? No one except his own supporters agree with him.?* A good knowledge of English, Russian and French are required for this position.
The principle of proximity is mostly used in speech. In writing grammatical concord is preferable.
![Page 41: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
41
Coordinated subject (and)
Subject consists of NPs coordinated by and: plural is required (exception: next slide).
Alice and Bob are encrypting their mails.(Alice is encrypting her mails and Bob is encrypting his mails.)
Also true for premodified singular non-countable noun heads:
American and Dutch beer are much lighter than British Beer.
![Page 42: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
42
Coordinative apposition
If the coordinated units have the same reference, a singular verb is required (if each NP is singular).
This temple of ugliness and memorial to Victorian bad taste was erected in the main street of the city.“temple” and “memorial” both refer to the same statue!
![Page 43: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
43
Coordinated subject (or) (1)
Subject consists of NPs coordinated by or.
Each NP is singular: verb is also singular.Either the mayor or her deputy is bound to come.
Each NP is plural: verb is also plural.Either the strikers or the bosses havemisunderstood the claim.
![Page 44: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
44
Coordinated subject (or) (2)
One NP is plural and one is singular:principle of proximity is used!
Either your brakes or your eyesight is/are? at fault.Either your eyesight or your brakes is/are? at fault.Either your brakes or your eyesight is at fault.Either your eyesight or your brakes are at fault.
![Page 45: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
45
Summary
grammatical concordgrammatical number of the subject defines number of the verbfollowed in writing and formal usage
notional concordsemantic number of the subject defines number of the verbonly used in colloquial English
principle of proximitynumber of the nearest noun phrase defines number of the verbonly tips the scales when the other two principles provide no guidance or are in conflict (which is only occasionally)
![Page 46: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
46
References
Quirk, Randolph, Sidney Greenbaum, Geoffrey Leech, Jan Svartvik. 1985. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London, New York: Longman.Halliday, M.A.K., Matthiessen, Christian. 2004. An Introduction to Functional Grammar.Fillmore, Charles J. 1968. The Case for Case.
![Page 47: 7 Case Subject Verb Concord](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022050816/552110704979597f2f8b50c1/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Feel free to ask questions now…
Thanks for your attention.