From Structure to Function

An Introductory Comment: The Nature of Language, Structure, Meaning and Function
Introduction

Chapter 1. Grammar, Language and Function

What is ‘grammar’
Differing Approaches and Differing Priorities
A Definition of Functional Grammar
A Functionalist Analogy
The Functionalist Perspective
Linguistic Competence and the Role of Function
Grammar and the Extended Family of Linguistic Components
The Universality of Grammar
Grammar as a Manipulator of Images
Universal Principles of Grammar
Structure and Meaning
Why Do We Study Grammar?

Chapter 2. The Subject-Verb Relationship

The Subject
Subject Dominance in English
The Simple Subject
Relationship of the Subject to the Rest of the Sentence
Roles of the Subject
Pronouns
Pronoun Subjects
The Subject in Terms of Topic and Theme
The Verb Relationship
Main Verbs and Their Complements: Types of Sentences
Verb Groups in English
Sentences Types
Intransitive Sentences
Transitive (Monotransitive) Sentences
Ergative / Ambitransitive Verbs
Intensive Sentences and the Subject Complement
The Noun Phrase as Subject Complement
The Adjective Phrase as Subject Complement
The Adverb Phrase as Subject Complement
The Prepositional Phrase as Subject Complement
The Semantic Structures of the Adjective and Prepositional Phrases
Multifunctional Verbs
Ditransitive Sentences
Awkwardness in Recipient Categories and Order-Mediated Topicality
Confusing the Ditransitive PP IO and the Transitive with Modifying PP
Complex Transitive Sentences
Degrees of Transitivity
Summary of Sentence Types

Chapter 3. Basic Semantic and Morphological Roles

Semantic Roles
Roles and Limitations of Lexical meaning
The Philippines: A Case Study
The Role of Unconscious meaning
Rationalizing Meaning
Convention and the Role of Unconscious Meaning
Context and the Role of Unconscious Meaning
Semantic Contradiction and Semantic Ambiguity
Language and Cognition: A Theory Based on Modularity
Morphological Roles
Morphemes and Morphology
Lexical and Grammatical Morphemes
Classes of Morphemes
Derivational and Inflectional Morphemes
Words as Lexical Units of Meanings
Word Structure
Combining Morphemes
Distinguishing Morphemes: A Case Study
A Note on Syntactic Roles: Syntax

Chapter 4. Determiners and Their Relationship to the Noun Phrase

Noun Phrases
The Role of Function
Noun Phrases
Gerunds, Participles and Infinitives
Determiners
What Do Determiners Do?
Where Do Determiners Occur?
Classes of Determiners
Articles
‘The’: The Specific Reference
The Anaphoric Reference
The Cataphoric Reference
The Situational Reference
First and Subsequent Reference
‘A’ and ‘An’: The General (Non-Specific) Reference
The Indefinite (General) Reference
The Generic Reference
The Zero Reference
Extended Meaning through the Use of Articles
Other Types of Determiners
Demonstrative Determiners
The Anaphoric Reference
The Cataphoric Reference
The Situational Reference
The Time Reference
Quantifying Determiners
Genitives, or Possessive Determiners
Interrogatives, or “Wh” Determiners
Indefinite Determiners
Predeterminers and Postdeterminers
Predeterminers
Postdeterminers
Some Contrastive Points

Chapter 5. Categorical Relationships to the Noun and Noun Phrase

Semantic Categoricals
Perceptive Indexes, Identity Referents and Linguistic Conformity
An Example of Perception Based on Individual Identity
Language as an Expression of Culture and Social Identity
Articles, Plurality and Semantic Categoricals
The Specific Article: A Gerneral Application Review
Proper Nouns
Proper Nouns as a General Class
Plural Proper Nouns
Proper Noun Phrases
Regular Proper Noun Phrases
Plural Proper Noun Phrases
Special Categories of Proper Noun Phrases
Natural and Geographical Locations
Public Institutions and Organizations
Special Domains ? (Organization, Department, Republic, etc.)
Representations and Personifications
Count Nouns
Non-Count or Mass Nouns
Concrete Non-Count Nouns
Abstract Non-Count Nouns
Context Nouns
Collective Nouns
A General Summary of Determiner and Plurality Usage
Abstract Non-Count Nouns
Concrete Non-Count Nouns
Count Nouns
Proper Nouns and Proper Noun Phrases
Compound Nouns
Distinguishing Compounds: Lexical and Phonological Differentiation
Compound Noun Usage for Articles and Plurality

Chapter 6. Verbs and Verbals

The Verb
Common Tenses
Linking Verbs
Subject Complements and the Nominative Form
Auxiliary, or Helping Verbs
Functional Usage of Articles
Modality and Modal Auxiliaries
Causative Verbs
Aspect: Stative and Dynamic (Eventive) Verbs
Verbals
Infinitives
Phrasal Verbs
Particle Transitive Verbs
Phrasal Transitive Verbs
Phrasal Intransitive Verbs

Chapter 7. Functions of Prepositional Phrases

Roles of Modification
Obligatory Prepositional Phrases
Optional Prepositional Phrases

Chapter 8. Finite Subordinating Clauses: Finite Subordinates, ‘That’ Clauses and Infinitive Clauses

Clauses in English
Finite Subordinating Clauses
Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses
The Relative Pronoun
The Relative Determiner
The Relative Adverb
Complement Noun Clauses

‘That’ Clauses
Infinitive Complement Clauses

Applying Manipulations to Test for Structure and Function