Constituent: "a syntactic unit that functions as part of a larger unit within a sentence" (Finegan and Besnier: 525) . The word grammar also denotes the study of these abstract features or a book presenting these rules. Example sentences with the word constituent. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

In order to become a constituent who can vote for the president, I must be a U.S. citizen. At first glance, a sentence simply consists of a string of words arranged in a single dimension---that of linear order.

(A constituent is any word or construction that enters into some larger construction.) Single words are constituents. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. 2. constituent example sentences. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Not all of them, however, are its immediate constituents. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. a person who votes in an election or on a particular proposal. are usually constituents of a clause, but clauses may also be embedded into a bigger structure. The analysis of constituent structure is associated mainly with phrase structure grammars, although dependency grammars also allow sentence structure to be broken down into constituent parts. •This isn’t foolproof, but it usually works if you try to keep the meaning as close as possible. Constituent (linguistics) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Any sequence of words which can be functionally replaced by a single word must be a constituent. than linear order---the dimension of constituent structure. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... …as constituents but also as immediate constituents of “poor John.” Similarly, the phrase “lost his watch” is composed of three word forms—“lost,” “his,” and “watch”—all of which may be described as constituents of the construction. Phrases (noun phrases, verbal phrases, etc.) 1. In syntactic analysis, a constituent is a word or a group of words that functions as a single unit within a hierarchical structure. In the sentence “The old man ran away,” the first division into immediate constituents would be between “the old man” and “ran away.” The immediate constituents of “the old man” are “the” and “old man.” At the next level “old man” is divided into “old” and “man.” The term was introduced by the United States linguist Leonard Bloomfield in 1933, though the underlying principle is common both to the traditional practice of parsing and to many modern systems of grammatical analysis. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Definition of Constituent. Read more about Constituent (linguistics):  Constituency Tests, Constituency Tests and Disambiguation, Competing Theories. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications - Immediate Constituent Analysis. How to use constituent in a sentence. Get kids back-to-school ready with Expedition: Learn!

The analysis of constituent structure is associated mainly with phrase structure grammars, although dependency grammars also allow sentence structure to be broken down into constituent parts. The constituent structure of sentences is identified using constituency tests. These tests manipulate some portion of a sentence and based on the result, clues are delivered about the immediate constituent structure of the sentence. In a restricted sense, the term refers only to the study of…. Immediate constituent analysis, also called Ic Analysis, in linguistics, a system of grammatical analysis that divides sentences into successive layers, or constituents, until, in the final layer, each constituent consists of only a word or meaningful part of a word. The functions of language include communication, the expression of identity, play, imaginative expression,…, Grammar, rules of a language governing the sounds, words, sentences, and other elements, as well as their combination and interpretation. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.

(exceptions: certain contractions, certain possessives) Complete sentences are constituents.

•A group of words that forms a phrase in a sentence –Constituent Structure •A particular grouping of words –A sequence of words which form a constituent in one environment, need not in another •The students wondered how simple textbooks could be obtained. In syntactic analysis, a constituent is a word or a group of words that functions as a single unit within a hierarchical structure. In syntactic analysis, a constituent is a word or a group of words that functions as a single unit within a hierarchical structure. The forms “his” and “watch” combine…, Language, a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture, express themselves. However, in Chapter 1, we presented some initial evidence for a second syntactic dimension that is less obvious (though no less real!) (A constituent is any word or construction that enters into some larger construction.) Constituent (linguistics) In syntactic analysis, a constituent is a word or a group of words that functions as a single unit within a hierarchical structure. The analysis of constituent structure is associated mainly with phrase structure grammars, although dependency grammars also allow sentence structure to be broken down into constituent parts. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. •A constituent is a group of words which function as a unit. •The students wondered how simple textbooks could be. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Immediate constituent analysis, also called Ic Analysis, in linguistics, a system of grammatical analysis that divides sentences into successive layers, or constituents, until, in the final layer, each constituent consists of only a word or meaningful part of a word. The religious constituent was angry when his favorite politician voted in favor of aid for abortion clinics. If you can replace part of the sentence with another constituent (the smallest constituent being a single word), this tells us that the replaced section of the sentence is a constituent. Examples of Constituent in a sentence. Jump to: navigation, search .