Difference between revisions of "Argument (definition)"
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Each verb requires a certain number of arguments to make a grammatical [[Clause (definition)|clause]], each of which must be filled with a [[Phrase (definition)|phrase]]. | Each verb requires a certain number of arguments to make a grammatical [[Clause (definition)|clause]], each of which must be filled with a [[Phrase (definition)|phrase]]. | ||
| − | : | + | :1a) Jones painted a picture. |
| − | : | + | :1b) Jones gave the picture to Smith. |
In (1a), ''Jones'' and ''a picture'' are both '''core arguments''' of the verb ''paint''. Core arguments are required to form a grammatical clause, unless certain [[Valence Changing Operation (definition)|valence changing operations]] are used. | In (1a), ''Jones'' and ''a picture'' are both '''core arguments''' of the verb ''paint''. Core arguments are required to form a grammatical clause, unless certain [[Valence Changing Operation (definition)|valence changing operations]] are used. | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
Additional, optional arguments can appear in a clause. Such arguments are often called '''oblique'''. | Additional, optional arguments can appear in a clause. Such arguments are often called '''oblique'''. | ||
| − | : | + | :2a) A picture was painted by Jones. |
| − | : | + | :2b) A picture was painted. |
Here, a valence changing operation ([[Passive Voice (definition)|passive voice]]) has been applied and the number of core arguments of the verb decreased to one (''a picture''). The former subject ''Jones'' has become an oblique argument, which we can verify by showing that this argument is optional (2b). | Here, a valence changing operation ([[Passive Voice (definition)|passive voice]]) has been applied and the number of core arguments of the verb decreased to one (''a picture''). The former subject ''Jones'' has become an oblique argument, which we can verify by showing that this argument is optional (2b). | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
*[[Clause (definition)]] | *[[Clause (definition)]] | ||
*[[Passive Voice (definition)]] | *[[Passive Voice (definition)]] | ||
| + | *[[Adjunct (definition]] | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| + | Be very careful with wikipedia articles, which can be edited by anyone and often contain inaccurate information. | ||
*wikipedia article on arguments: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verb_argument | *wikipedia article on arguments: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verb_argument | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | *Crystal, D. (2008) ''Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. 6th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. | ||
| + | |||
[[Category: Technical Definitions]] | [[Category: Technical Definitions]] | ||
[[Category: Semantics]] | [[Category: Semantics]] | ||
[[Category: Syntax]] | [[Category: Syntax]] | ||
Revision as of 23:20, 3 June 2012
Each verb requires a certain number of arguments to make a grammatical clause, each of which must be filled with a phrase.
- 1a) Jones painted a picture.
- 1b) Jones gave the picture to Smith.
In (1a), Jones and a picture are both core arguments of the verb paint. Core arguments are required to form a grammatical clause, unless certain valence changing operations are used.
In (1b), the verb gave requires three arguments (i.e., it is ditransitive, or has a valence of three). Here, Jones, the picture and to Smith (a prepositional phrase) are all core arguments.
Additional, optional arguments can appear in a clause. Such arguments are often called oblique.
- 2a) A picture was painted by Jones.
- 2b) A picture was painted.
Here, a valence changing operation (passive voice) has been applied and the number of core arguments of the verb decreased to one (a picture). The former subject Jones has become an oblique argument, which we can verify by showing that this argument is optional (2b).
Note that not all "optional" arguments are oblique. For instance, Jones painted. is grammatical, but this does not mean that in (1a) a picture is oblique. However, oblique arguments will always be optional.
See Also
- Valence Changing Operation (definition)
- Clause (definition)
- Passive Voice (definition)
- Adjunct (definition
External Links
Be very careful with wikipedia articles, which can be edited by anyone and often contain inaccurate information.
- wikipedia article on arguments: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verb_argument
References
- Crystal, D. (2008) Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. 6th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
