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phrase structure

grammar
Also known as: constituent structure

Quick Summary

Phrase structure refers to the arrangement of words within a sentence. It's a fundamental concept in grammar, particularly in transformational-generative grammar, which views grammar as a system of rules that generate sentences.12

Key components include:
* Phrase-structure grammar: A system of rules that defines grammatical sentences and assigns them a structural description.2
* Noun phrase (NP): A phrase consisting of a noun and its modifiers.3
* Verb phrase (VP): A phrase typically containing a verb and its objects or complements.2

These structures are organized hierarchically, forming the basis for understanding how sentences are constructed and interpreted.2

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