A Problem With Exercise 1: Analysing Simple Groups

Martin, Matthiessen & Painter (2010: 213):

Exercise 1 Analysing simple groups

Analyse the verbal groups in the following clauses, noting in addition whether the clause is indicative or imperative:

1. I hate them.

2. Put that in the dream...

3. ... Sophie cried.

4. Get me back in your pocket quick...

5. Come on!

6. Let's hurry!

7. She stood up...

8. She sees a little girl...

Blogger Comments:

Here again the authors misrepresent the logical structure of the verbal group by including the Event as an element, and thereby mislead the reader to do likewise. Halliday & Matthiessen (2014: 411n):

A major point of difference between the verbal group and the nominal group is that the Event (unlike the Thing) is not the point of departure for the recursive modifying relationship. Hence it does not figure as an element in the notation.