Simple Sentence: Constituent Structure

The predicative connection realized through the finite verb is referred to as the ‘predicative line’ of the sentence. Depending on their predicative complexity, sentences can feature one predicative line or several predicative lines; in other words, sentences may be, respectively, ‘monopredicative’ and ‘polypredicative’. Using this distinction, we must say that the simple sentence is a sentence in which only one predicative line is expressed (Bob has never left the stadium.)

The nominative parts of the simple sentence are subject, predicate, object, adverbial, attribute, parenthetical enclosure, addressing enclosure; a special, semi-notional position is occupied by an interjectional enclosure. The parts are arranged in a hierarchy, wherein all of them perform some modifying role. The ultimate and highest object of this integral modification is the sentence as a whole, and through the sentence, the reflection of the situation (situational event).

The subject is a person-modifier of the predicate. The predicate is a process-modifier of the subject-person. The object is a substance-modifier of a processual part (actional or statal). The adverbial is a quality-modifier of a processual part or the whole of the sentence. The attribute is a quality-modifier of a substantive part. The parenthetical enclosure is a detached speaker-bound modifier of any sentence-part or the whole of the sentence. The addressing enclosure (address) is a substantive modifier of the destination of the sentence and hence a modifier of the sentence as a whole. The interjectional enclosure is a speaker-bound emotional modifier of the sentence.

All the said modifiers may be expressed either singly (single modifiers) or collectively, i.e. in a coordinative combination (co-modifiers, in particular, homogeneous ones).

The subject-group and the predicate-group of the sentence are its two constitutive members (axes/составы предложения). According as both members are present in the composition of the sentence or only one of them, sentences are classed into 1) two-member and 2) one-member ones.

All simple sentences of English should be divided into 1) two-axis constructions and 2) one-axis constructions.

In a two-axis sentence, the subject axis and the predicate axis are directly and explicitly expressed in the outer structure. This concerns all the three cardinal communicative types of sentences (The books come out of the experiences. What has been happening here? You better go back to bed).

In a one-axis sentence only one axis or its part is explicitly expressed, the other one being non-presented in the outer structure of the sentence (Who will meet us at the airport? – Mary.).

The cited example belongs to elliptical types of utterances as it possesses a zero-position capable of being supplied with the corresponding fillers implicit in the situational contexts (free one-axis sentences).

There are also one-axis sentences without a contextual implication of this kind; in other words, their absent axis cannot be restored with the same ease and semantic accuracy (...I'm quite miserable enough already. – Why? Because you're going away from Mrs Jennett? – No. – From me, then? – No answer for a long time. Dick dared not look at her. The one-axis sentence ‘No answer for a long time’ = There was no answer.../He received no answer for a long time/No answer was given for a long time etc).

Such constructions can be classed as fixed one-axis sentences.

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