Lecture 11Adjectives and Adjective Phrase.ppt

Lecture 11Adjectives and Adjective Phrase  Objectives: 1. Classification of adjectives 2. Function of the adjectives 3. Position of the adjectives 4. Gradable and non-gradable adjectives 5. Phrases with comparative degree Adverbial of degree in comparison 1. Classification of adjectives Classification of adjectives 1) In terms of word-formation: One-word and compound adj.-s 2) In terms of syntactic function: central and peripheral adj.-s 3) Semantically meaning: dynamic and stative adj-s 4) Morphologically meaning: gradable and non-gradable adj.-s 5)Compound adjectives. 1) One-word and compound adjectives  . A one-word adjective may consist of only one free morpheme, such as big, small, good, bad, cold, etc.; it may also consist of a free morpheme as root plus a prefix or a suffix or both, such as unkind, useless, unlikely, voiceless, unbelievable, etc. 1) One-word and compound adjectives Compound adjectives are formed in different ways. They may be adjective + adjective, e.g. bitter-sweet, deaf-mute Adjective/adverb + -ing participle, e.g. good-looking, hard-working, etc 1) One-word and compound adjectives adjective/adverb + -ed participle, e.g. well-meant noun + adjective, e.g. duty-free, grass-green 2) Central and peripheral adjectives (1) Most adjectives can be used both as modifier in a noun phrase and as subject/object complement. These adjectives are called central adjectives. In the following three examples green is a central adjective, functioning as modifier of nouns, subject complement and object complement respectively 2) Central and peripheral adjectives --Green apples are sour. (modifier in a noun phrase) --Those apples are green. (subject complement) -- They have painted the door green. (object complement) 2) Central and peripheral adjectives (2) peripheral adjectives Peripheral adjectives refer to the few which can not satisfy both requirements. Some peripheral adjectives can only act as pre-modifier, e.g chief