Text Chapter 17
Text Chapter 19
Grammar Text Table of Contents

Before we begin our discussion, you need the formula

. . . and a bunch of disclaimers:

Note #1:   The last item in the formula, MV, stands for main verb which is, technically, a different constituent from the auxiliary. I include it in the formula for the sake of convenience and clarity.

Note #2:  Only two items in the formula are not in parentheses. Remember that parentheses in this kind of formula mean that the item is optional. Thus, since the MV is not part of AUX, the only component of AUX that is required in a finite clause is F (Finite Verb Phrase Marker).

Note #3:  The above formula is for finite clauses. For nonfinite VPs, omit F.

Note #4:  We are dealing here only with simple active-voice declarative sentences that occur in the forms of the unelaborated basic sentence patterns. Used in other sentences, slight differences occur in the formula which we will not go into at this time. Just as an example, the auxiliary verb "do" might be present.

Now, can we talk?

First, the outline of the basic components of the formula:

F (Finite Verb Phrase Marker).  A little history.   In early generative transformational theory, this was the T (tense) marker.   There were only two tenses recognized by the formula:  past and present.   The marker was (and still is) attached to the first verb in the verb phrase.   The problem with calling it a tense marker is that, in the thinking of most persons studying grammar, it reflects tense inaccurately or not at all.  When it is attached to HAVE, BE, or MV, it appears to indicate past or present.  Even in these cases, however, it does not reflect the tense of the entire sentence, a confusing problem indeed.  Thus, I make a smaller claim for the marker.  It is present in finite verb phrases and not (ordinarily) in nonfinite verb phrases.   Therefore, I refer to it as the finite verb phrase marker without reference to tense.  Verb tense in English is a complex matter involving semantics, morphology, pragmatics, and syntax.  It is worth a great deal of study, but not in a text dealing exclusively  with grammar (involving syntax and a small component of morphology).   Remember, whether we can detect it or not, F is attached to the first verb  in the finite VP. 

Example:  John had eaten.  (F is part of "had".  Note what happens if we insert a modal:  John would have eaten.  "Had" reverts to the base form "HAVE."  Even though we cannot see it, F has been taken over by the modal and is no longer on the "have.")  Watch how this works in the examples at the end of this chapter.  You don't really have to learn this.   You know it already.  You just need to be aware of it in order to consciously understand the form of the English verb.

Modal.  We have quite a list. Memorize it. Can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must.  There are other modals, but they are  not normally in the basic patterns.  The modal, if it occurs, is the first word in the AUX. Therefore, if it occurs, it carries F. 

Examples:

1) John leaves. (F + Main Verb.  The "s" on leaves is the F)

2) John can leave.  (F + Modal + MV.  The F is on the modal)

HAVE. Three forms exist: have, has, had. If there is no modal and there is a HAVE, it carries F.

3) John had eaten. (F + HAVE + MV + EN.  F is on HAVE making it "had."  See "EN" below.)

EN. This represents the morpheme that is always present on the next  verb after  HAVE  if  HAVE is present. Note that it is not attached to HAVE. It is placed by HAVE in the formula because it always goes in partnership with HAVE. Also, EN will not always be spelled –en. Sometimes it will be spelled –t or –ed or some other spelling. The language is not absolute in this regard.

4) John has bought the farm. (F + HAVE + MV + EN.  Note that EN stands for the "-t" ending in this case.

5) John and Jim have changed the oil. (F + HAVE + MV + EN.  This time EN stands for "-ed."

BE. Six variations occur: be, am, is, are, was, were.  Notice that been and being are not on the list.  That's because the -en on been refers back to HAVE as noted above.  The -ing on being will only be there if be is the main verb, if the sentence is in passive voice (see Chapter 19), or in some other construction that does not reflect a basic sentence pattern.  If there is no modal or HAVE, BE carries F.

6) John was leaving. (F + BE + MV + ING.  F is on BE making it "was."  See ING below.)

7) John is eating.   (F + BE + MV + ING.  F is on BE making it "is.")

8) John and Jim are leaving.  (F + BE + MV + ING.  F is on BE making it "are."  Notice the F also is involved in designating singular and plural forms. 

9) John and Jim might be leaving. (F + Modal + BE + MV + ING.  F is on the modal.  Notice that the plural form of BE has disappeared with the removal of F.  Modals have no plural form.) 

ING. Like the EN after HAVE, this ING is always attached to the next verb after BE. (See examples in the previous sentences.)

Important Note:  Remember that both "have" and "be" can serve as main verbs.   In that case, they are not part of AUX, and different rules apply, the same rules as other main verbs.  

10) Bart Simpson will have a cow. [F + modal (will) + MV (have)]

11) A calf will be a cow. [F + modal (will) + MV (be)] 

MV. I told you about this above.  If there is no other AUX, the MV carries F.

12) John left.  (F + MV.  In is a case, F marks  tense.)

Now, a set of  sample sentences. For now, we’ll use only Pattern #1 sentences. The other patterns are no more complicated and entail no additional learning, but we’ll avoid confusion for now by using only Pattern #1.  In brackets after the sentences, I have provided the parts of the verb formula that apply.  Also, I have put all of the parts, including EN and ING in the order of their occurrence in the sentences, not in the order of occurrence in the basic formula.  Finally, notice that there are no parentheses.  That is because in actual sentences, there are no optional items.   (Did I really need to insult you by saying that?  Sorry!  Teachers do such stuff.  What follows below is also repetitive of the above samples.  Teachers are into that, too.)

My cat eats. [F + MV]  (Notice that the -s on "eat" reflects F.   Without F, "eats" would be "eat.")

My cat ate. [F + MV] (This is that other form of F that is often referred to as "past tense."  Can you see why?)

My cat can eat. [F + Modal + MV]

My cat could eat. [F + Modal + MV]  (The claim was made in early GT grammar that modals ending in -d or -t are "past tense" while other modals are "present tense."  Can you see why this is problematic?  How about "will"?   "must"?

My cat could have eaten. [F + Modal + HAVE + MV + EN]

My cat had eaten. [F + HAVE + MV + EN]

My cat might have been eating. [F + Modal + HAVE + BE + EN + MV + ING]

My cat might be eating. [F + Modal + BE + MV + ING]

My cat was eating. [F + BE + MV + ING]

Have we covered all the bases?

Chapter 18 Homework: This stuff is important enough that I want each of you to construct a set of sentences like those above and submit them next class period or on the Homework thread so I know that everyone has it.

Text Chapter 19