23) The status of verbals in modern English.

Verbs can be divided into finite and non-finite according to the nature of predication.

The function of non-finite verbs is limited to secondary and potential predication

(fallen leaves – potential, for him to come - secondary), while the function of finite

verbs is that of expressing primary predication in the sentence. Other differential

features of non-finite verbs are: - they are devoid of any indication of person-number,

their paradigms are defective (they are formed by special morphemic elements which

do not express either grammatical time or mood); can be combined with verbs

performing non-verbal functions in the sentence. Practically, finites and non-finites

are different classes bound together on the basis of grammatical categories and on the

basis of predicativity.

Place of verbals:

1.Constitute a separate part of speech (‘cause they are different in semantic

meaning (the processual meaning is exposed by them in a substantive or adjectival-

adverbial interpretation), in paradigmatic properties, functions, combinability)

2.Separate sub-class of verbs (common fundamental grammatical meaning of

process, have the same morphological categories, according to the ‘field’ theory they

find themselves in the periphery of the verb)

3.Forms of the verb, that means we should differentiate the category of finitude.

(*Bloch distinguishes the morphological category of finitude, manifested in the

opposition of finite vs. non-finite verbs. Common feature – expression of verbal

predication in the sentence. expression of verbal time and mood. The syntactic

content – the expression of verbal predication. The strong member is the finite verb,

marked in their tense and mood forms, primary predication. The weak (unmarked)

member is the non-finite verb. Still, some linguists consider this category to

be syntactic (eg, Смирницкий))

24) Grammatical semantics of Participle II.

Blokh:The PARTICIPLE II is the non-finite form of the verb which combines the

properties of the verb with those of the adjective, serving as the qualifying-processual

name. The PII is a single form, having no paradigm of its own (it conveys implicitly

the categorial meaning of the perfect and the passive). The main self-positional

functions of the PII in the sentence are those of the attribute and the predicative.

In the attributive use, the PII meanings of the perfect and the passive are expressed in

dynamic correlation with the aspective lexico-grammatical character of the verb à

the attributive PII of limitive verbs in a neutral content expresses priority, while the

PII of unlimitive verbs expresses simultaneity: A tree broken by the storm blocked

the narrow passage between the cliffs and the water (priority in the passive).

I saw that the picture admired by the general public hardly had a fair chance with the

judges (simultaneity in the passive). The PII is capable of making up semi-predicative

constructions of complex object, complex subject, as well as of absolute complex.

The absolute PII complex as a rule expresses priority in the correlation of 2 events:

e.g. The preliminary talks completed, it became possible to concentrate on the

central point of the agenda.