Language Structure
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    • About me
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  • Essentials
    • Abbreviation List
    • Sentences used for study
    • Levels of analysis
    • Finite (non-finite) verbs
    • Head of subject
    • Function & form
    • P at clause level
    • Clausal patterns
    • Sentence vs clause
    • Basic syntax trees
  • Levels of analysis
    • What is grammar?
    • Sentence level
    • Clause level >
      • Adverbial Complement
      • Objective Predicative (Po)
    • Phrase level
    • Word level
    • More syntax trees
  • Noun Phrase
    • Complex Noun Phrases
    • (un) Countable nouns
    • Apostrophe
    • Irregular-foreign plurals
    • Articles and nouns
    • Collective nouns
    • that or which ?
  • Verb Phrase
    • Finite (non-finite) verbs
    • Lexical-Auxiliary verb
    • Modal auxiliares
    • Marginal modals
    • Tense and Aspect
    • Mood
    • Passive-active
    • Progressive-simple
  • Word Class
    • Adjectives
    • Adverbs
    • Adverbial
    • Pronouns
  • Other stuff
    • Numerals
    • Prepositions
    • non Finite Clauses
    • that Clauses
    • Uses of IT
    • Cleft Sentence
    • Conjunctions
    • Ellipted Subject
    • Fixing your writing >
      • Sentence overload
      • Run-on & Comma Splice
  • Send-in Tasks
  • Self-Study Tasks
  • Online seminars
  • Exam(s)
    • Exam questions
    • Exam Preparation
  • Course Info-schedule

syntax trees for visualising language structure

More syntax trees

These syntax trees have one aim only. To aid you in understanding Language Structure, and thereby helping you to understand grammar for your own sake and for your future work and/or the classroom
Watch this space ... more syntax trees incoming !

The non-finite clause is a "wannabe finite clause"

Yesterday, Adam washed the windows, before cleaning the floor

So, deconstruct the sentence & create a syntax tree that represents it down to word level. You might consider the following steps:
  1. Tarzan grunt ! What is the essence of the clause/sentence
  2. Create the 1st divide: SUBJ  PREDICATE
  3. Identify the clausal elements
  4. Identify & analyse at phrase level:  VP, N, A
  5. Identify the underlying strucures

Comparing one sentence with a slight variation therefore creating two different syntax trees.
Here is what happened. A student asked for some feedback regarding this sentence: 
  • In the sixteenth century Japan, one of the greatest powers, was the Monto sect of Buddhists.
I then prepared a syntax tree in preparation and just when I was done ... I got a new message saying that the sentence was in fact:
  • In the sixteenth century, in Japan, one of the greatest powers was the Monto sect of Buddhists.
So, instead of redoing the syntax tree, I decided to make one more as a comparison. Why don't you try creating a syntax tree for both sentences before watching the video

Draw syntax trees #1,2,3 analysing from sentence level down to word level. Check your effort, and then try again if needs be.

Syntax Tree # 1

After doing their homework, the hard-working students decided to meet some friends.

Syntax Tree # 2

By 6500 BC, Europeans were actively mining salt.
​

Syntax Tree # 3

John bake this mother's rhubarb pie, using sunflower oil in the crust.
​
This website contains all the video tutorials and information directly useful for the various chapters of the course textbook.
  • Home
    • Contact
    • About me
    • How to study grammar
    • Learning method
  • Essentials
    • Abbreviation List
    • Sentences used for study
    • Levels of analysis
    • Finite (non-finite) verbs
    • Head of subject
    • Function & form
    • P at clause level
    • Clausal patterns
    • Sentence vs clause
    • Basic syntax trees
  • Levels of analysis
    • What is grammar?
    • Sentence level
    • Clause level >
      • Adverbial Complement
      • Objective Predicative (Po)
    • Phrase level
    • Word level
    • More syntax trees
  • Noun Phrase
    • Complex Noun Phrases
    • (un) Countable nouns
    • Apostrophe
    • Irregular-foreign plurals
    • Articles and nouns
    • Collective nouns
    • that or which ?
  • Verb Phrase
    • Finite (non-finite) verbs
    • Lexical-Auxiliary verb
    • Modal auxiliares
    • Marginal modals
    • Tense and Aspect
    • Mood
    • Passive-active
    • Progressive-simple
  • Word Class
    • Adjectives
    • Adverbs
    • Adverbial
    • Pronouns
  • Other stuff
    • Numerals
    • Prepositions
    • non Finite Clauses
    • that Clauses
    • Uses of IT
    • Cleft Sentence
    • Conjunctions
    • Ellipted Subject
    • Fixing your writing >
      • Sentence overload
      • Run-on & Comma Splice
  • Send-in Tasks
  • Self-Study Tasks
  • Online seminars
  • Exam(s)
    • Exam questions
    • Exam Preparation
  • Course Info-schedule