Argument Structure

Definition

Argument structure refers to the way in which verbs and their associated arguments are organized to convey meaning in a sentence. It details how different elements like subjects, objects, and adjuncts interact with the verb to form coherent statements. Understanding argument structure is essential for analyzing how sentence meaning is constructed through the roles that various participants play within a given action or state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Argument structure includes core arguments, which are typically required for a verb's meaning, and optional adjuncts that add additional information but are not necessary for sentence completion.
2. Different verbs can have different argument structures, meaning some may require more arguments than others, influencing how sentences are formed.
3. Argument structure helps clarify relationships between participants in an event, such as who is doing what, who is receiving an action, and any additional circumstances.
4. The interaction between argument structure and syntax affects how sentences can be rearranged or transformed while still maintaining their intended meaning.
5. Understanding argument structure can aid in revealing ambiguities in language where one argument can have multiple interpretations depending on context.

Review Questions

• How do thematic roles contribute to understanding argument structure in sentences?
  • Thematic roles help define the specific functions that different entities serve within an event described by a verb. By identifying roles such as agent (the doer) and patient (the receiver), we can better understand how each argument fits into the overall argument structure of the sentence. This understanding reveals how the organization of these roles influences the meaning conveyed by the sentence.
• Discuss the relationship between valency and argument structure, providing examples of verbs with different valencies.
  • Valency refers to the number of arguments a verb can take, directly impacting its argument structure. For instance, intransitive verbs like 'sleep' have a valency of one and only require a subject (e.g., 'He sleeps'). Conversely, transitive verbs like 'give' have a valency of two, needing both a subject and an object (e.g., 'She gives him a book'). Understanding this relationship helps clarify how verbs dictate sentence formation.
• Evaluate the implications of argument structure on syntactic variations within sentences and their meanings.
  • Argument structure plays a crucial role in determining syntactic variations by influencing how arguments can be organized within sentences. For example, changing the order of elements can yield different interpretations or even lead to ungrammatical structures. This evaluation highlights that while syntax allows for flexibility in sentence construction, it must adhere to the inherent requirements set by a verb's argument structure to ensure that meaning remains clear and consistent.

Related terms

Thematic Roles: The functions that entities have in the context of an event described by a verb, such as agent, patient, or experiencer.

Valency: The capacity of a verb to take a certain number of arguments; it reflects how many participants are involved in the action or state expressed by the verb.

Syntactic Structure: The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, which is closely linked to the argument structure of the verbs within those sentences.