• Learn about some aspects of lexis and semantics.
Lexis = vocabulary (words)
Semantics = word meanings
• Learn about some aspects of grammar and syntax.
Grammar – rules and systems for how we use English.
Syntax – an aspect of grammar referring specifically to the ways in
which words are put together to form sentences.
Terminology
Lexis – another term for vocabulary
Semantics – study of word meanings
A semantic field is a group of words with
associated meanings or uses.
For example, the semantic field for football includes
lexis such as goal, penalty, referee, offside, touchline, tackle,
players etc.
Which semantic field would the following lexis fit into?
Teacher, pens, pupils, desks, rules
Semantic field - School
Terminology:
Connotation vs denotation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8hRotU-b5c
Word Denotation Connotation
bright
decayed
abandoned
shadows
Noun phrases
• A phrase is one or more words, functioning as a unit in a sentence, usually containing a head
word and modifiers.
• A noun phrase has a noun as its head word.
• E.g. The house The old house The beautiful, old house
• The house across the road The house over there
The head word in all of these examples is house. In each case with a pre-modifying determiner
(the).
Many noun phrases also have adjectives that act as pre-modifiers (old and beautiful are used in
this way).
The last two examples have post-modifiers (over there and across the road).
Clauses
• Phrases can be combined to form clauses. A clause has to contain a verb phrase.
• There are elements needed to form clauses.
A visitor called the old house a ruin yesterday.
• SUBJECT – A visitor
• VERB – called
• OBJECT – the old house
• COMPLEMENT – a ruin (extra information)
• ADVERBIAL – yesterday (time, place or manner)
Clauses do not have to contain all 5 elements. This is an example of one that does.
Have a go at the clauses below. The first one has been done for you:
1. He closed his eyes – S + V + O
2. John handed Mark a key
3. She smiled
4. She put the money on the table.
Simple, compound and complex sentences
• Simple – one clause.
• Compound – two simple sentences joined by a conjunction.
• Complex – one or more of the clauses is less important than the main clause. These lesser
clauses are called subordinate clauses. Remember, a subordinate clause cannot make
sense on its own.
Identify the sentence types below.
simple
• She failed her driving test.
compound
• He had 50 lessons but he failed the test.
compound
• She had 50 lessons but failed her test.
complex
• The man, who thought he would definitely pass, was disappointed to fail.
complex
• The lorry failed to stop after the accident.
Sentence moods – another way of classifying sentences is to
identify their functions or moods.
• Declarative sentences
These are the most common type. They make statements or provide information.
E.g. Helen is 18. She starts university next month.
• Interrogative sentences
These ask questions.
E.g. Where have you been? How old is she?
• Imperative sentences
These issue commands, advice, instructions etc. They usually begin with a verb and leave out the subject.
E.g. Close the door please. Sit down and listen carefully to what I am going to tell you.
Exclamatory sentences
These begin with what or how and often lack a verb.
E.g. What a great match!
Sentence Sentence type Sentence mood
The girl is quite sneaky. simple declarative
The driver swerved violently in order to avoid an oncoming
car. complex declarative
Did anyone see the registration number? simple interrogative
The pedestrian, who was short-sighted, didn’t see the car
coming. complex declarative
I told you to keep quiet. simple declarative
The young boy ran to the nearest house and knocked on the
compound declarative
door.
What a terrible day!
simple exclamatory
How was the driver after the accident?
complex interrogative
Respond immediately.
simple imperative
