Language Structure
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Is it a V? Is it a VP? No, it's a P

Why use P instead of V at clause level

In UGE, Chap 3.4, Estling (the author) describes the Clause elements, and later in Ch 3..4.7, she describes Clause types.

In line with many educational grammar books, V (verb) is used as a Clausal element. My viewpoint, in line with Huddlestone & Pullum's Cambridge Grammar of English, is that this is fundamentally misleading and unhelpful. As such, we will be using the letter P (for Predicator), and not V (for Verb).
​
Wait, what, why? Why indeed. Because V is used for tradition's sake in line with many other grammar books out there BUT it can make things pretty darned confusing for students. Let me explain, as follows:

Clausal elements (Subject, Adverbial, direct Object, etc) describe how they FUNCTION within a clause. Meanwhile V (verb) is a form.

Now, I know this might not mean so much to you just now, but I ask that you give me the ​benefit of the doubt for the time being ... or at least until you start drawing syntax trees :-)
Picture
Estling (2007: Chap 3)

Clause elements describe function, not form

This video tutorial was a few years ago whilst using another grammar book. Although I refer to this 'other' book my criticism is the same then & now. So too is the explanation that I offer. Also, please view function/form which will help you in your understanding.
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