CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

More beginner English learner having a hard time to make grammatical sentences. One of
them due to the inability to analyze the phrase structure or build phrases into sentence. The
study of the phrase structure rules will help them solve the problem.

1.2 Problem of study

Based on the background above the writer formulates problems of study as in the following :

1. What is the phrase structure rules ?

2. How do they help us to make sentences grammatically ?

1.3 Purposes of the study

1. To recognize the phrase structure rules.

2. Using the phrase structure rules to identify sentences.

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 CHAPTER II

DISCUSSION

2.1 Phrase structure (review)

1) Every word belongs to a lexical category

2) Lexical categories forms heads of phrases

3) How phrases are formed is governed by rules (= ‘phrase structure rules’)

• Rules that determine…

o …what goes into a phrase (‘constituents’)

o …how the constituents are ordered

• Constituent: a word or group of words that function as a unit and can make up larger
grammatical units

General schema:

X→Y Z

“X consists of Y followed by Z”

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Noun phrase (NP)

1. Silvanus N

2. the boy Det N

3. a little boy Det Adj N

4. a boy in a classroom Det N PP

Phrase structure rule for NPs:

NP → (Det) (Adj) N (PP)

(where ‘( )’ indicates optionality)

Phrase structure rules tree

NP NP NP

N Det N Det Adj N

John the boy a little boy

NP

Det N PP

a boy P NP

in Det N

a classroom

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Prepositional phrase (PP)
1. in P

2. from a boy in a classroom P NP

Phrase structure rule for PPs:

PP → P (NP)

Phrase structure trees

PP PP

P P NP

In from Det N PP

a boy P NP

in Det N

a classroom

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2.2 Recursion

Some phrasal categories may appear to the left or right of the arrow

NP → ( Det ) N ( PP )

PP → P ( NP )

Recursion: the property of language that allows for the embedding of categories (which can yield
infinitely long phrases.

NP The cat on the mat in the house on the street

Det N PP

P NP

The cat Det N PP

on P NP

the mat in Det N PP

The house P NP

on Det N

The street

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Verb phrase ( VP )

 sang V

 ate the cake V NP

 ate the cake hungrily V NP Adv

 sang a song in the shower V NP PP

 fell into the pond slowly V PP Adv

Phrase structure rule for VPs :

VP → V ( NP ) ( PP ) ( Adv )

VP VP

V V NP

sang ate Det N

the cake

VP

V NP PP Adv

sang Det N P NP badly

a song in Det N

the shower

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Structural ambiguity

Discuss [sex with Dr. Boyke] [discuss sex] with Dr. Boyke

VP VP

V NP V NP PP

Discuss N PP discuss sex P NP

Sex P NP with Dr.Boyke

With Dr. Boyke

Sentences

1. Must contain an NP and a VP

• The dog barked.

1) *The dog.

2) *Barked.

2. May contain an auxiliary verb

The dog will bark

S → NP ( Aux ) V

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 S

NP VP

Det N V NP

The dog ate Det N

the bone

S → NP VP

NP Aux VP

Det N will V NP

The dog ate Det N

the bone

S → NP Aux VP

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2.3 Conjunction

• Words and phrases of the same category can be combined using conjunctions ( and, but,
or )

 Cats and dogs make good pets.

 Eat, drink, or be merry.

 You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.

NP → NP conj NP

VP → VP conj VP => X → X conj X

S → S conj S

Conjoined phrases

NP NP → NP conj NP

NP Conj NP NP → Det NP

Det N Det N

The cat and the dog

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Conjoined sentence
I bought a book, but I retuned it.

S conj S

NP VP but NP VP

I V NP I V NP

Bought a book returned it

S → S conj S

S → NP VP

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 CHAPTER III

CLOSING

3.1 Conclusion

 Phrase structure rules is the rules that determine what goes into a phrase ( constituents )
and how the constituents are ordered

 The general schema is :

X→Y Z

“X consists of Y followed by Z”

S → NP VP

“ S consist of NP followed by VP “

 Phrase structure rule for NPs :

NP → (Det) (Adj) N (PP)

 Phrase structure rule for PPs :

PP → P (NP)

 Recursion ; the property of language that allows for the embedding of categories ( which
can yield infinetly long phrases )

 Phrase structure rule for VPs :

VP → V (NP) (PP) (Adv)

 S → NP (Aux) V

S → NP VP

S → NP Aux VP

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 REFERENCES

http://awinlanguage.blogspot.com/2012/05/phrase-structure-rules.html

The Study of Language, second edition, George Yule

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 INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTIC

“PHRASE STRUCTURE RULES”

PAPER

Present to:

Fullfill linguistic assignment lead by Munnawwir Hadi Wijaya M. Pd,

Written by :

Adrianus

Dwi Apriningrum

Kristiana Meldawati

Meryandi Kriswindarta

INSTITUTE OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

BUDI UTOMO MALANG
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITY EDUCATION
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
2012

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 PREFACE

Assalamualaikum wr.wb
By saying grace which to the God has given his blessing and of
guidance to us all, so this paper can be prepared in time.
With the completion of this paper, the authors also do not forget the
words to convey many thanks to all those who have assisted us in completing
this paper are as follows: Mr.Munawwir Hadi Wijaya, M.Pd as Lecturer
Introduction to Linguistic.
To Both Our Parents who never stopped giving and prayer support as
well as to our material needs. And all those who have not listed names that
have been supportive and helpful to the preparation of this paper can be
resolved.
The author realized that the papers is still not complete, and therefore
all critism and suggestions for the perfection of this paper.

Malang, April 2012

Sincerely,

Author

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface..............................................................................................................i
Table of Contents....................................................................................ii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of The Study ..............................................................................1
1.2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................1
1.3 The Purpose of The Study ..............................................................................1

CHAPTER II DISCUSSION

2.1 Phrase Structure Rule .....................................................................................2

2.2 Recursion.........................................................................................................5
2.3 Conjunction......................................................................................................9

CHAPTER III CLOSING

3.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................11

REFERENCES

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