English Grammar: Complementation & Word Classes Guide
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24 cards
Question: What is the key semantic characteristic of closed-class items in English grammar?
Answer: Closed-class items are mutually exclusive and mutually defining in meaning; individual items are defined more by their relation to the rest of the cla
Question: How are closed-class items related to constructions in which they occur?
Answer: Their meanings are closely bound up with the construction they’re part of; they function as structural markers (e.g., determiners signal the start of
Question: What defines an open-class in English grammar?
Answer: Open classes are indefinitely extendable: members share grammatical properties but new items are constantly created, making a complete inventory impos
Question: Why is defining an open-class item different from defining a closed-class item?
Answer: Because open-class items are semantically related to many similar items (e.g., room ↔ chamber, hall), you can’t define them simply by saying what they
Question: What caution is advised about the distinction between open and closed word classes?
Answer: Don’t exaggerate how easily new words are created, nor assume closed classes are completely closed—new complex prepositions and other members can stil
Question: Why are traditional word-class labels considered deceptive or problematic?
Answer: Because categories are heterogeneous and borderline; subclassifications exist and there is disagreement about where to group subcategories into larger
Question: How has the traditional category of 'article' been reclassified in the discussed taxonomy?
Answer: Articles (the, a/an) are subsumed under the broader category of determiners, which also includes demonstratives like this and that.
Question: How has the traditional category of 'verb' been reclassified in the discussed taxonomy?
Answer: The traditional verb category is divided into three: two closed classes (primary and modal verbs) and one open class (full verbs).
Question: What issue arises with the class of adverbs in the taxonomy?
Answer: Adverbs are heterogeneous; they can be split into an open class (adverbs with adjectival base, e.g., completely) and a closed class (here, there, now)
Question: What two subclasses can conjunctions be split into, and how do they differ?
Answer: Subordinators, which link a subordinate clause to a superordinate clause, and coordinators, which link coordinate constructions.