10 The sentence(s)

A S is the only unit of language which is capable of expressing a communication containing some kind of information.But linguistics is at difficulty to define it.One of the definitions is ‘the S is the smallest communication unit expressing a more or less complete thought & having a definite gramm-cal structure & intonation’.

The S differs from the phrase as neither Ws no W-groups can express communication.Another difference b/n the S & the phrase is predicativity which comprises tense & mood components.It is expressed by a W or combination of Ws which is called predication.

Class-tions of Ss:

1)According to the types of communication they are divided into:

1.Declarative(giving information){ the book is interesting (statement)};

2.Interrogative (asking for information){is the book interesting?(question)};

3.Imperative(asking for action){give me the book!(command, request)};

2)according to their structure they are divided into:

1.Simple Ss containing 1 predication(subject-predicate relationship);

2.Composite Ss containing 1 or more predications.Composite Ss are divided into compound & complex

Ss.Simple Ss & main clauses may be two-member & one-member Ss.The two-member S pattern is typical of the vast majority of Ss in English.It is a S with full predication.{The Sun shines. She walks fast}.

If a simple S contains the subject & the predicate only,it is called unextended.{Spring came}.If a S comprises secondary parts besides the main parts,it is called extended.{Dick came home late}.

The one-member S contains only 1 principle part,which is neither the subject nor the predicate.{Thieves! Fire! A cup of tea,please!}.Imperative Ss with no subject also belong here.{Get away from me!}.The exclamatory character is a necessary feature of these Ss.Infinitive Ss are very common in represented speech.

One-member Sentences may be:1)Nominative{ Another day of fog};2)Verbal:a).Imperative{Don’t believe him!};b).Infinitive{Only to think of it!};c).Gerundial{No playing with fire!};3)Adjectival{ Splendid! How romantic!}

2)According to their completeness Ss are divided into:complete(non-elliptical)& incomplete(elliptical)Ss.

Elliptical Ss are such Ss in which 1 or several parts are missing as compared with analogous Ss where there is no ellipsis.Elliptical Ss may freely be changed into complete Ss,the missing part of the S being supplied from the preceding or following context,by means of intonation:{e.g. I sat near the window,he – near the door. (= he sat near the door). Playing, children? (= are you playing, children?)}.The main sphere of elliptical Ss is of course dialogue.

S & Communication:A S carries a communication.A S is a unit of lang-ge.Communication is a unit of thought. In studing the structure os a S we met the problem of dividing it(communication)into 2parts:the starting point of the statement & the new information.It can’t be said that every S must necessarily consists of 2such sections.There are several pairs of terms to denote them.The best are theme & rhythm. The theme is also called ‘the known’,the rhythm-‘the new’.The theme expresses the starting point of the communication,while the rhythm contains new information.Usually the theme is the subject of the S,the rhythm is the predicate(or the predicate-group).{The girl (the theme) had a little basket in her hand (the rhythm).

The most important semantic element in the communication,which is part of ‘the new’,is called the center of a communication.In the given S it is ‘a little basket’.There are Ss,which carry only new information.{It is evening.}.The whole S is ‘the new’ the gramm-cal subject ‘it’ has no lexical meaning & cannot be the starting point of the communication.

means of marking the theme

1) the use of definite article (The girl was tall)

2) The loose parenthesis introduced by the oppositional phrase “as for”, “as to”. (As for the others, great number of them moved past slowly or rapidly…)

3) A word as a phrase representing the theme are placed at the beginning of the sentence as o loose part of it. (That laughter – how well he knew it!)

means of marking the rheme

1) the use of indefinite article (At the same moment he became aware that a woman was entering the room.)

2) The construction “there is”, “there are”. (There was a sound of footsteps and June saw Soames)

3) Complex sentences with the emphatic “it”. (It was yesterday that I saw him)

4) A three-member passive construction. (The door was opened by a little girl)

5) Inversion. (In the middle of the room stood the head of the family)

6) Intonation.

7) Particles “only”, “just”, “merely”, “such as”, “at least”. (Only children appeared to belong to their surroundings.)

60% of the total are Ss,in which the communicative division coincides with their gramm-cal division.In connected speech the center of communication of a S may become the starting point of the S that follows.{Cora and Alan were sitting in a cab (center).The cab (the known) slowed down near the theatre.}