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Jayatee Bhattacharya, Lovely Professional University Unit 1: Functional Grammar: Phrase, Clause

Unit 1: Functional Grammar: Phrase, Clause Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
1.1 Phrase
1.2 Clause
1.3 Functions of Dependent Clauses

1.4 Structures of Dependent Clauses
1.5 Summary
1.6 Keywords
1.7 Review Questions
1.8 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

• Know about functional grammar
• Understand the uses of phases and clauses
• Explain the functions and structures of dependent and independent clauses.

Introduction

Functional Grammar (FG), as developed by Simon Dik and others, is a general theory of the
organization of natural language. FG seeks to be a theory which is ‘functional’ in at least three
different, though interrelated senses:
Functional grammar has a number of features which make it suitable for studying language
variation.
• Firstly, it is based on the notion of choice—it models grammar as a set of options (a
repertoire or resource). This means that it presents grammar to teachers and students as
a set of tools they can use rather than a set of rules about what not to do.
• Secondly, functional grammar looks at the way in which grammar is used to construct
texts in their context of use—it is concerned in other words with real language not just
with the made up examples of language that can be found in many language tests,
exercises, work sheets or traditional grammar books. Its application is not restricted to
the analysis of isolated sentences—it explains the way in which sentences are structured
to construct whole texts such as stories, essays and reports which students learn to read
and write in primary and seconday school.

• Thirdly, functional grammar is concerned with the way in which grammar is organised
to make meaning. Because it is concerned with meaning, it can be related directly to the
concerns of teachers and students in all subject areas.

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