Construction Grammar
The grammatical construction types that the phrase analysis identifies — the structural templates that organize words into meaningful units. Construction grammar treats these patterns as form-meaning pairings: the construction itself carries meaning beyond its individual words.
21 terms across 4 subcategories
Phrasal Constructions
Word groups that function as a single grammatical unit below the clause level — the building blocks of sentences.
Det + (Adj) + N + (PP/RelCl) — determiner-headed nominal group
A word group built around a noun or pronoun that functions as a subject, object, or complement. May include determiners, adjectives, prepositional phrases, and relative clauses as modifiers.
(Aux) + (Adv) + V + (Complement) — verb-headed predicate group
A word group built around a main verb, including any auxiliaries, modals, particles, and complements. Carries the core predication of a clause.
(Adv) + Adj + (PP/Clause complement) — adjective-headed modifier
A word group built around an adjective, optionally modified by adverbs or followed by a complement. Functions as a modifier or predicate complement.
(Adv) + Adv — adverb-headed modifier
A word group built around an adverb, optionally modified by another adverb. Modifies verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or entire clauses.
Prep + NP — preposition-headed relational unit
A preposition followed by its complement (usually a noun phrase). Functions as a modifier of nouns, verbs, or entire clauses, specifying location, time, manner, cause, or other relationships.
Clausal Constructions
Word groups that contain both a subject and a predicate — full propositions that function as parts of larger sentences.
S + V + (O/C) — independent subject-predicate unit
An independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Contains a subject and finite verb and expresses a complete thought.
NP + [RelPro + VP] — noun-modifying embedded clause
A dependent clause introduced by a relative pronoun (who, which, that) that modifies a noun. Can be restrictive (essential to meaning) or non-restrictive (parenthetical).
SubConj + S + VP — subordinate modifier clause
A dependent clause that functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or entire clause. Introduced by subordinating conjunctions indicating time, cause, condition, concession, purpose, or result.
that/wh- + S + VP — clause functioning as nominal
A dependent clause that functions as a noun — as subject, object, or complement of a verb. Often introduced by 'that', 'what', 'whether', or 'how'.
if/unless + S + VP — hypothesis-setting clause
A dependent clause expressing a condition, typically introduced by 'if', 'unless', 'provided that', or 'whether'. Establishes hypothetical or contingent scenarios.
V/Adj/N + [that/to + clause] — argument-completing clause
A clause that completes the meaning of a verb, adjective, or noun that requires further specification. Functions as a necessary argument rather than an optional modifier.
Non-finite Constructions
Constructions built around verb forms that are not marked for tense — infinitives, participles, and gerunds. They function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within larger clauses.
to + V + (complements) — base-form verb phrase
A phrase built around the base form of a verb preceded by 'to'. Can function as a noun (subject or object), adjective (modifier), or adverb (purpose or result).
V-ing/V-ed + (complements) — participle-headed modifier
A phrase built around a present participle (-ing) or past participle (-ed/-en) that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun.
V-ing + (complements) — verbal noun phrase
A phrase built around a verb's -ing form functioning as a noun. Can serve as subject, object, or complement. Distinguished from participial phrases by its nominal function.
NP + participle/modifier — clause-modifying independent phrase
A phrase consisting of a noun plus a participle (or other modifier) that modifies an entire clause rather than a single word. Grammatically independent but semantically linked to the main clause.
Special Constructions
Marked syntactic patterns that deviate from default word order or structure to achieve specific information-packaging effects.
NP₁, [NP₂ = NP₁], ... — explanatory noun alongside noun
A noun phrase placed immediately after another noun phrase to rename, identify, or describe it. Set off by commas when non-restrictive.
... (—aside—) ... — interrupting insertion
An inserted aside that interrupts the syntactic flow of a sentence, set off by parentheses, dashes, or commas. Provides commentary, qualification, or additional information without altering the main clause's grammar.
It + be + Adj/NP + that/to-clause — delayed subject construction
A clause moved from its canonical subject position to the end of the sentence, with a dummy 'it' filling the subject slot. Used to manage information weight and delay complex information.
It + be + FOCUS + that/who + remainder — information-focus split
A construction that splits a simple clause into two parts to highlight one element for focus. 'It-clefts' use 'it is/was... that' framing; 'wh-clefts' use 'what... is' framing.
There + be + NP + (location/time) — existence-asserting construction
A construction using 'there' as a dummy subject to assert the existence or presence of something. Introduces new entities into the discourse.
Frozen phrase → discourse function — grammaticalized transition signal
A phrase that has grammaticalized into a discourse management function — signaling transitions, attitudes, or relationships between utterances rather than contributing propositional content.