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Derivative Functions in Syntax

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2026

Arthur Schwartz*
Affiliation:
University of California, Santa Barbara

Abstract

This study presents two main theses: (1) that distinguishing ‘primitive’ from ‘derivative’ forms and functions can be accomplished in a linguistic description by a base containing two types of rewrite rules, expansion and substitution; and (2) that adjuncts to a noun can, under certain conditions, dissociate from that noun and pass from ‘attributive’ to ‘adverbial’ function—in particular, that clausal modifiers to the nominative can so detach and become predicate appositives and absolutes. These two proposals suggest a number of corollaries—among them, that the major adverbial clause types (condition, concession, purpose etc.) are basically adjuncts to the subject noun.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Language , Volume 44 , Issue 4 , December 1968 , pp. 747 - 783
Copyright
Copyright © 1968 by Linguistic Society of America

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