296 GlossaryAttributive. Applies to an adjective or other pre-head internal modifier in NP
structure: a hot day illustrates attributive use of hot.
Auxiliary verb. A subclass of verb that prototypically marks tense, aspect, mood
or voice. In English, auxiliaries can invert with the subject in interrogatives
(Can you swim ?), and have special primary negation forms (She hasn't seen it).
Backshift. Prototypically, a shift from present tense to preterite in reported speech:
you ask Has she seen it? and I report your question by saying Yo u asked whether
she had seen it.
Bare coordinate. A coordinate not marked with a coordinator.
Bare infinitival clause. An infinitival clause lacking the marker to: you must do
your best.
Bare role NP. Singular NP like treasurer with no determiner, denoting a role or
office. Can be predicative complement (She became treasurer) but not subject
(*Treasurer resigned).
Base. One of the two main kinds of unit found in the structure of words; contrasts
with affix. In friendly the ·ly is an affix attached to the base friend, making
another base, friendly.
Base plural. Plural noun identical with the lexical base for the lexeme: sheep, cod,
barracks.
Canonical clause. Declarative, positive, non-coordinate, main clause not
belonging to any of the special information-packaging constructions (passive,
it-cleft, etc.). The syntactically most basic form of clause; e.g., We must get some
milk.
Case. An inflectional system of the noun with the primary use of marking various
syntactic functions, such as subject and object in clause structure or determiner
in NP structure. In English the main distinction is between genitive and plain
case (e.g. Kim 's vs Kim). A few pronouns have distinct nominative and accusa
tive cases (e.g. I vs me) instead of a plain case.
Catenative complement. A non-finite clause functioning as internal complement
of a verb (with a few exclusions, e.g., those where the clause is complement to be
in its ascriptive and specifying senses). Examples: Yo u seem to like her; I regret
doing it; We arranged/or them to meet; I believe it to be genuine.
Catenative verb. Verb with catenative complement: Yo u seem to like her; I regret
doing it.
Clause type. A classification of clauses into syntactic types, associated in main
clauses with different kinds of speech act. See: declarative, exclamative,
imperative, interrogative.
Closed interrogative. A sUbtype of interrogative clause characteristically used, in
main clauses, to ask a closed question. Marked in main clauses by
subject-auxiliary inversion (Is it raining?; Is he alive or dead?), and in subor
dinate clauses by whether or if (I wonder whether it's raining; I don 't know if
he's alive or dead).
Closed question. Question with a closed set of answers: Is it raining? (answers:
Ye s, No); Is he alive or dead? (answers: He 's alive, He 's dead).