Structural classification of phraseological units by a.I. Smirnitsky

Prof. A.I. Smirnitsky worked out structural classification of phraseological units in which they are grouped according to the number and semantic principles. He points out one-summit units which have one meaningful constituent (to give up, to make out), and two-summit and multi-summit units which have two and more meaningful constituent

Among one-summit units he points out three structural types;

a) units of the type «to give up» (verb + postposition type), e.g. to art up, to back up, to drop out, to nose out, to buy into, to sandwich in etc.;

b) units of the type «to be tired» .

c) prepositional-substantive phraseological units. These units are equivalents of unchangeable words: prepositions, conjunctions, adverbs, e.g. on the doorstep (quite near), in time, on the point of etc.

Among two-summit units A.I. Smirnitsky points out the following structural types:

a) attributive-substantive equivalent to nouns such as: grey matter, a millstone round one’s neck.

b) verb-nominal phraseological units equivalent to verbs: e.g. to read between the lines, to sweep under the carpet etc.

c) adverbial multi-summit phraseological. Such units can be built on antonyms, e.g. ups and downs , back and forth. These units are equivalents of adverbs or adjectives and have no grammar centre. They can also be partly or perfectly idiomatic, e.g. cool as a cucumber (partly), bread and butter (perfectly).

A.V. Koonin’s classification of phraseological units

A.V. Koonin’s classification of phraseological units is based on structural-semantic principle and on the functions units fulfill in speech. According to the function in communication A.V. Koonin classifies phraseological units into:

• nominative phraseological units are represented by word-groups, including the ones with one meaningful word, and coordinative phrases of the type (wear and tear, a bull in a china shop)

• interjectional (a pretty kettle of fish!)

• nominative-communicative – verbal word-groups which are transformed into a sentence when the verb is used in the Passive voice (to break the ice – the ice is broken)

• communicative – proverbs and sayings (spare a rod and spoil a child)

According to the structure A.V. Koonin classifies phraseological units into changeable and unchangeable.

Within the first group he distinguishes phraseological units which:

1. may have synonyms (to lift a figure – not to have a figure);

2. with a variable pronoun (to pull one’s leg);

3. with both types of variability (to give smb a piece/a bit of mind)

Classification of phraseological units according to their origin

According to their origin all phraseological units may be divided into two big groups: native and borrowed. The main sources of native phraseological units are:

1) terminological and professional lexics, e.g. physics: center of gravity (центр тяжіння), specific weight (питома вага); military sphere: fall into line (стати в шеренгу) – 'conform with others';

2) British literature, e.g. the green-eyed monster – 'jealousy" (W. Shakespeare); fall on evil days – 'live in poverty after having enjoyed better times' (J.Milton);

3) British traditions and customs, e.g. baker's dozen – 'a group of thirteen'. In the past British merchants of bread received from bakers thirteen loaves instead of twelve and the thirteenth loaf was merchants' profit.

4) superstitions and legends, e.g. a black sheep – 'a less successful or more immoral person in a family or a group'.

5) historical facts and events, personalities, e.g. as well be hanged {or hung) for a sheep as a lamb – 'something that you say when you are going to be punished for something so you decide to do something worse because your punishment will not be any more severe'.

6) phenomena and facts of everyday life, e.g. carry coals to Newcastle – 'to take something to a place where there is plenty of it available'.