Function of Words in Context_V-N-ADJ-ADV.pdf

One way to organize sentence structure is to think of form and function.
When we talk about form, we mean word classes such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, among others.
When we talk about function, we refer to these structures in context.

1. FUNCTIONS OF WORDS IN CONTEXT
By N. Valdelomar

2. SentenceStructureas a Key toMeaning
Whyisit
important
toidentify
the
structureof
a sentence?
Reading requires more than knowing the
meaning of individual words.
We have to know how individual words
combine together to produce
meaningful groups.
We also need to know how these
groups of words combine together to
produce meaningful sentences.

3. Which elements make up the basic sentences.
What each element looks like (form).
The position of each element in the sentence.
What kind of information each element brings to the sentence.
We can do this if we know:

4. Form and Function
Onewaytoorganizesentencestructureistothink
offormand function. Whenwetalkaboutform, we
mean wordclassessuchas nouns, verbs, adjectives,
and adverbs, amongothers. Whenwetalkabout
function, werefertothesestructuresin context.
Forexample, theword“outside” isanadverb. That
isitsform. Butwhenwelook at itin context, wefind
outthatitmighthavedifferentfunctions.

5. Examples
In thiscase, the
adverboutsideis
tellinguswherethe
dogissleeping.
Itsfunctionisadverbial.
In thiscase, thesame
adverboutsideis
modifyingthenoundog.
Thismeansthatitisnot
anydogbuta specific
dogof whichI’mtalking
about.
Itsfunctionisadjectival.
Thedogissleeping outside. Thedogoutsideismine.

6. Examples
In thiscase, fishispart
ofa verbal group.
Itdescribes anaction.
Itsfunctionisverbal.
In thiscase, fishis
determiningthewordpie.
Thismeansthatitisnot
anypie buta specific
typeofpie.
Fishhereisa noun, and its
functionisadjectival.
I mayfishthisafternoon. Later, I’llmakefishpie.

7. Functions
Thereare fourfunctionsofstructuresin English:
Adverbial(ADV)
Adjectival(ADJ)
Nominal(N)
Verbal(V)
They havethesamefunctionsthatnouns, adjectives,
adverbs,orverbshavein a sentence.

8. Nominals
❑Nominals arenouns,nounphrases, or any words or word groups
that function as a noun in a sentence.
❑Nominal groups can contain other parts of speech such as
prepositions, articles, adjectives, and others.
❑Using a nominal gives the reader a more complete sense about
what the writer is trying to convey.
❑Nominals can do whatever nouns can. They can be subjects or
objects of a sentence.
❑The noun phrasea nice cup of teais a nominal in the following two
examples:
A nice cup of tea is all I need in this moment. = subject
I would love a nice cup of tea. = object

9. Nominals
Several structurescan functionas nominals:
Nouns, pronouns, names, reflexives:
Courageisoneofthehallmarks ofa hero.
Lauraisreallypopular.
Ilikehera lot.
Nounphrases:
Theoldhouseneedsrepairment.
-ingendings:
Joggingisreallypopular.
to-infinitives:
I liketoswim.

10. Adjectivals
An adjectival is a word or word group (phrases and
clauses) functioning as an adjective in a sentence.
Examples:
The police cordoned off the accidentsite.
This year’s contest was cancelled because of the
pandemic.

11. Adjectivals
Several structurescan functionas adjectivals:
Adjectives: Thetallmanwelcomedme.
Nouns: I needa healthinsurance.
-ingendings: The runningwaterwas cool.
-ed/en endings: Hewasreallyconfused.
to-infinitives: They gave him an opportunityto escape.
Prepositionalphrases: The bookon the table is mine.
Genitive case (possessivecase ’s): The prizehelpedincreaseAna’sconfidence.

12. Adverbials
An adverbial is a word or a group of words that acts as an adverb. They give
additional information about the action or situation and answer questions such as:
When?
Where?
How?
Why?
In spite of which event?
For what purpose?
On what condition?
Adverbials help to add more information to a sentence and thus help readers better
understand what they read.

13. Adverbials
Several structurescan functionas adverbials:
Adverbs: She’spracticallydeaf.
-ingendings: They camerunning.
Prepositionalphrases: I ate my breakfast in the kitchen.
Nominals: We’llgotothebeachnextSaturday.

14. VerbalsorVerbGroups
❑A verbalor verbal group is typically a verb or
a group or words with a verbas its head.
❑That verbis likely to be modified by auxiliary
verbs.
Examples:
The furniture has been eatenby termites.
My father is growingoranges.
Peter leaveshis apartment at 8:00.

15. VerbalsorVerbGroups
Verbs:
He metherlastyear.
Auxiliaries+ verbs:
I willgototheparty.
They are restingafter a longday.
Shehas beenmakinga cake.

16. What’s the function of the word “painting” in
each sentence?
Brown’s skillful paintingis a delight to watch.
Brown fell asleep painting.
The silently paintingman is Brown.
Brown is paintinghis daughter.

17. https://www.uefap.com/grammar/glossary/glossfram.htm
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-adjectival-1688971
https://lemongrad.com/nominal/
https://lemongrad.com/adjectival/
https://www.thoughtco.com/nominal-in-grammar-1691431
https://planbee.com/pages/adverbial-phrases-ks2
References