2. Predicative Relations of the Kernel Sentence

The predicative derivation realizes the formation of predicatively different units without affecting the constructional volume of the sen­tence base; in other words, it is responsible for the expression of the predicative syntactic semantics of the sentence.

The predicative syntactic semantics of the sentence is very intricate, butvbeing oppositional by nature, it can be described in terms of "lower" and "higher" predicative functions expressed by primary sentence pat-ternsi The lower functions express the morphological categories of tens­es and aspects and have the so-called "factual" semantics. The higher functions are "evaluative" because they immediately express the rela­tionship of the nominative content of the sentence to reality.

The main predicative functions expressed by syntactic categorial oppositions can be described on the oppositional lines, e.g.: "ques­tion - statement", "unreality - reality", "phase of action - fact", etc.

3. The Notion of the "Predicative Load" of the Sentence

The notion of the "predicative load" of the sentence is used to de­scribe the total volume of the strong members of predicative opposi­tions actually represented in the analyzed sentence. So, from the point of view of the comparative volume of the predicative meanings actual­ly expressed, the sentence may be predicatively "loaded" or "unload­ed". If the sentence is predicatively unloaded, it means that in opposi­tional terms its predicative semantics will be characterized as "negative", i.e. "weak". If the sentence is predicatively loaded, it means that it ex­presses, at least, one "positive", i.e. "strong", predicative meaning.

References

1. Blokh M.Y. A Course in Theoretical English Grammar. – M., 2000. – p.229-236, 261-272

2. Долинина И.Б. Системный анализ предложения. – М., 1977

3. Смирницкйи А.И. Синтаксис английского языка. – М., 1957.

Theme 14. Composite sentence.

1. Classification of Sentences According to the Number of Predicative Lines

2. Compound Sentence

3. Complex Sentence

4. Semi-Composite Sentence and Its Types

Terms: composite, compound, complex, semi-compound, semi-complex, coordination, subordination, parallel subordination, consecutive subordination

1. Classification of Sentences According to the Number of Predicative Lines

According to the number of predicative lines sentences are classi­fied into simple, composite and semi-composite. The simple sentence is built up by one predicative line, while the composite sentence is built up by two or more predicative lines. As a polypredicative con­struction, the composite sentence, from the referential point of view, reflects a few elementary situations as a unity.

2. Compound Sentence

The compound sentence is based on parataxis, i.e. coordination. By coordination the clauses in the composite sentence are arranged as units of syntactically equal rank. The position of the coordinate

clause is always rigidly fixed and it serves as one of the differential features of coordination as such.

It is usual to single out the following types of semantic relations between coordinative clauses: copulative, adversative, disjunctive, causal, consequential, and resultative.

Coordinating connectors are divided into proper and semi-func­tional, the latter revealing adverbial features.