THEORY OF PARTS OF THE SENTENCE: PRINCIPLE, SECONDARY PARTS OF THE SENTENCE, PROBLEMS OF TERTIARY
Keywords:
KEY WORDS: Theory of sentence structure, principal parts of sentence, subject and predicate, secondary sentence elements, objects in sentences, modifiers and attributes, adverbial modifiers, tertiary parts of sentence, parenthetical expressions, disjoints and embedded clauses, syntactic roles, grammar and syntax theory, sentence composition, linguistic elements, contextual nuance in languageAbstract
This article explores the theory of sentence structure by categorizing sentence components into principal, secondary, and tertiary parts. The principal parts—subject and predicate—form the essential core of any sentence, establishing its fundamental meaning. Secondary parts, including objects, attributes, and adverbial modifiers, add specificity and depth, allowing for detailed expression. The concept of tertiary parts, though less defined in traditional grammar, includes parenthetical expressions, disjoints, and embedded clauses that provide additional context and stylistic nuance. The boundaries between secondary and tertiary parts remain a subject of debate, as tertiary elements are non-essential yet often enrich the tone and viewpoint of a sentence. This analysis of sentence structure offers a framework for understanding how language conveys both core meaning and contextual subtleties, highlighting the complex interaction between syntactic components.
References
1. Baker, M. C. (2003). Lexical Categories: Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives. Cambridge University Press. Baker’s exploration of lexical categories provides an in-depth look at the syntactic and semantic roles of sentence parts, including the functional analysis of tertiary elements.
2. Chomsky, N. (1957). Syntactic Structures. Mouton. Chomsky’s seminal work on generative grammar that introduces the concepts of deep and surface structures, influencing modern syntax theories and sentence component analysis.
3. Chomsky, N. (1965). Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. MIT Press. This book further develops Chomsky’s theories on syntax, including the hierarchical structure of sentences and the relationships between components like the subject, predicate, and objects.
4. Crystal, D. (2008). A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics (6th ed.). Blackwell. Crystal’s reference work is invaluable for understanding key linguistic terms, including various sentence elements, their functions, and interactions in different linguistic frameworks.
5. Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G. K. (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.A comprehensive modern grammar that explores sentence components in great detail, including discussions of secondary and tertiary elements like adjuncts and parentheticals.
6. Jespersen, O. (1924). The Philosophy of Grammar. George Allen & Unwin.Jespersen's work is foundational in understanding the core components of sentence structure, particularly the roles of the subject and predicate in English sentences.
7. Lyons, J. (1968). Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics. Cambridge University Press. Lyons’ work provides a clear foundation for understanding the structuralist view of sentence parts, with an emphasis on the syntactic role of each element in sentence construction.
8. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman. This grammar provides extensive coverage of English sentence structure, offering insight into how different parts of speech function within larger sentence structures.
9. Radford, A. (2004). English Syntax: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press. This textbook covers the syntax of English, offering a detailed analysis of sentence components and their hierarchical relationships, with particular attention to phrases and clauses.
10. Sweet, H. (1892). A New English Grammar: Logical and Historical. Clarendon Press. Sweet’s grammar theory is an essential reference for the traditional classification of sentence parts, including the distinctions between primary and secondary elements.
