Standardized Word-Combinations or Phraseological Combinations

They are motivated but they are made up of words possessing specific lexical valency, which accounts for a certain degree of stability in such word-groups.

e.g. “bear a grudge” may be changed into “bear malice”, but not into “bear a fancy or liking”. We can say “take a liking” but not “take hatred”.

These habitual colloquations tend to become “kind of clichés, where the meaning of member-words is to some extent dominated by the meaning of the whole group”.

It should be noted that phraseological combinations differ from phraseological unities by the fact that one component in them is used in its direct meaning.

e.g. to break a promise (rule, agreement)

to strike a blow

Another word may be used figuratively:

e.g. to meet a demand, requirement, need

The stability of such expressions is based on the limited collocability of words. We say: “to set free” and “to set at liberty”, but we can’t say “to set at freedom”. The same “to make a mistake”, but “to do an exercise”.

e.g. (phraseological combinations) to draw a conclusion, to break silence,

to keep company with, to make money, to pay attention.

Classification of Phraseological Units According to their Grammar Structure

Set expressions functioning in speech are equivalents to definite classes of words. Therefore we can distinguish set expressions that are:

 nominal phrases: the root of the trouble;

 verbal phrases: to take to smb., to take the bull by the horns;

 adjectival phrases: as good as gold;

 adverbial phrases: from head to heels;

 prepositional phrases: in the course of;

 conjunctional phrases: as long as, as bad as;

 interjectional phrases: well, I never!

This classification takes into consideration not only the component parts, but also functioning of the whole. Thus “tooth and nail” is not a nominal but an adverbial unit because it serves to modify the verb (to fight tooth and nail).

Within each of these classes a further subdivision is necessary:

1. Set expressions functioning like nouns present the following models:

N + N maiden name

brains trust – a committee of experts

N’s + N barber’s cat – трепач

Hobston’s choice – when there is no choice at all

(Th. Hobston, 17-th c., London owner of stables, made every person hire a horse, take the next in order)

Ns’ + N ladies’ man – дамский угодник

N + prp + N the arm of the law – сила закона

N + and + N lord and master (husband)

rank and file

A + N green room (general reception room of a theatre)

high tea

2. Set expressions functioning like verbs:

V + N o take an advantage

V + postpreposition to give up

V + and + V to pick and choose

V + (one’s) + N + prep. to snap one’s fingers at

V + one + N to give one the bird

3. Set expressions functioning like adverbs:

N + N tooth and nail

Prep. + N by heart, of course

Adv. + Prep. + N once in a blue moon

Prep. + N + or + N by book or by crook

Conj. + clause before one can say Jack Robinson

4. Set expressions functioning like prepositions:

Prep. + N + Prep. in consequence of

by reason of

on account of

5. Set expressions functioning like interjections:

Bless my soul! God bless me! Hang it all!