Adjuncts and their Classification

Presented to: Prof. Nazir Ahmad MalikPresented by: Tahir Ghafoor M

Adjunct: DefinitionAn adjunct is part of a Sentence and modifies the Verb to show time, manner, place, frequency and degree. Eg: It is nearly done. ('Nearly' describes the

degree to which the action has been done.) Eg: I go there twice a week. ('Twice a week'

describes the frequency with which the action is done.)

Source: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/adjunct.html

Classes of Adverbials

Adjuncts Disjuncts Conjuncts

Adverbials may be integrated to some extent into the structure of the clause or they may be peripheral to it. If integrated, they are termed ADJUNCTS. If peripheral, they are termed DISJUNCTS and CONJUNCTS.

Adjuncts An adverbial is integrated to some

extent in clause structure if it is affected by such clausal processes as negation and interrogation.e.g., it is an adjunct if

1. It cannot appear initially in a negative declarative clause:

1. *Quickly they didn’t leave for home2. It can be the focus of a question or of

clause negation:1. Does he write to his parents because he

wants to (or does he write to them because he needs money)?

Disjuncts and Conjuncts

In contrast, a disjunct or a conjunct is not affected by either of these clausal processes.

e.g., the disjunct to my regret can appear initially in a negative declarative clause:To my regret, they didn’t leave for homeand cannot be the focus of a question or of clause negation:*Does he write to his parents, to my regret, (or does he write to them, to my relief)?

Multiple class membership

Items can belong to more than one class.

e.g., naturally is an adjunct inThey aren’t walking naturally (in a natural manner)

And a disjunct in Naturally, they are walking (of

course)

Subclassification of Adjuncts

1. Viewpoint2. Focusing (additive, limiter)

3. Intensifier (emphasizer, amplifier, downtoner)

4. Process (manner, means, instrument)

5. Subject (general, volitional, formulaic)

6. Place (postion, direction)

7. Time (when, duration, frequency, relationship)

8. Others (purpose, cause, reason, …)

1. Viewpoint Adjuncts

Viewpoint adjuncts can be roughly paraphrased by ‘if we consider what we saying from a [adjective phrase] point of view’ or ‘if we consider what we are saying from the point of view of [noun phrase]’. Viewpoint adjuncts are most commonly derived from adjectives by the addition of a –ly suffix:e.g., Geographically, ethnically, and linguistically, these islands are closer to the mainland than to their neighboring islands.

Viewpoint Adjuncts (some examples)

Many of these people have suffered, economically speaking, because of their political affiliations As far as mathematics is concerned, he was a complete failure Looked at politically, it was not an easy problem

2. Focusing Adjuncts

Focusing adjuncts indicate that what is being communicated is limited to a part that is focused – LIMITER ADJUNCTS – or that a focused part is an addition – ADDITIVE ADJUNCTS. Most focusing adjuncts are adverbs. Limiters (Exclusives and Particularizers) Additives

Limiters

(a)Exclusives restrict what is said to the part focused, e.g: alone, just, merely, only, purely, simply, etc.

You can get a B grade JUST for that answer

(b) Particularizers restrict what is said particularly or mainly to the part focused, e.g.: Chiefly, especially, mainly, mostly, in particular, etc.The workers, IN PARTICULAR, are dissatisfied with the government

Additives

The focusing adjuncts that indicate that a focused part is an addition, e.g.: Also, either, even, either, nor, too, in

addition, etc My father won’t give me the money.

He won’t EVEN lend it to me. They won’t help him, but they won’t

harm him EITHER.

3. Intensifiers

Intensifiers are not limited to indicating an increase in intensity; they indicate a point on the intensity scale which may be high or low. Intensifiers can be divided into three semantic classes: Emphasizers Amplifiers (maximizers, boosters) Downtoners (compromisers, diminishers,

minimizers, approximators)

Intensifiers

Emphasizers have a general heightening effect; amplifiers scale upwards from an assumed norm; downtoners have a lowering effect, usually scaling downwards from an assumed norm.

Emphasizers Common emphasizers include: (a) actually, certainly, clearly, definitely,

indeed, obviously, plainly, surely, etc (b) frankly, honestly, literally, simply, etc

While emphasizers in (a) seem to be free to co-occur with any verb or predication, those in (b) tend to be restricted. E.g., honestly tends to co-occur with verbs expressing attitude or cognition: They honestly admire her courage.

Some Examples: I honestly don’t know what she wants She actually sat next to him I just can’t understand it I simply don’t believe it

Amplifiers

Amplifiers are divided into: Maximizers, which can denote the upper

extreme of the scale, e.g. absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, etc I can perfectly see why you are anxious about it We absolutely refuse to listen to your grumbling

and Boosters, denote a high point on the scale,

e.g. badly, deeply, greatly, heartily, much, so, well, a great deal, etc. They like her very much I can well understand your problem

Downtoners

Downtoners have a lowering effect on the force of the verb. They can be divided into four groups: Compromisers have only a slight lowering

effect (kind of/sort of, quite/rather etc) Diminishers (partly, slightly, a little etc)

and Minimizers (a bit, barely, hardly, in the least, etc) scale downwards considerably

Approminators (almost, nearly, as good as, etc) serve to express an approximation to the force of the verb

Downtoners

Some Examples: I kind of like him. We know them slightly. I don’t enjoy it in the least. I almost resigned.

4. Process Adjuncts

Process adjuncts define in some way the process denoted by the verb. They can be divided into at least three semantic subclasses: Manner Means Instrument

Manner Adjuncts

Examples: They sprayed tear gas

indiscriminately on the protesters. She replied to questions with great

courtesy. He spoke in a way that reminded me

of his father

Means and Instrument Adjuncts

Examples of Means: He decided to treat the patient

surgically I go to school by car

Examples of Instruments: He examined the specimen

microscopically You can cut the bread with that knife

5. Subject Adjuncts

Subject adjuncts relate to the referent of the subject in an active clause (or the agent in a passive clause) as well as to the process or state denoted by the verb. All are either adverb or prepositional phrases. Three groups can be distinguished: general volitional formulaic

Subject Adjuncts

General subject adjuncts: Resentfully, the workers have stood by their

leaders (‘the workers have stood by their leaders and were resentful about it’)

Volitional subject adjuncts: He deliberately misled us (‘he was being

deliberate when he …)

Formulaic adjuncts: He kindly offered me a ride (‘he was kind

enough …’)

6. Place Adjuncts

Place adjuncts denote static position and also direction, movement, and passage, here brought together under the general term ‘direction’. Examples showing position: He lives in a small village They are not there She works a long way from here

Place Adjuncts

Examples showing direction: He ran past the sentry They followed him wherever he went I took the papers from the desk He threw it ten yards

Over to Furrakh