Syntax

Syntax

The parentheses () indicate optional items; the brackets {} indicate optional repeated items.

sentence ::= clause (clause_particle ";" clause) (sentence_particle) punctuation

clause ::= {verb_argument} {verb_modifier} verb

verbal_modifier ::= adverb | aspect_marker | mood_marker | tense_marker | etc.

verb_argument ::= expression case_particle

expression ::= noun_phrase | adjective_phrase

noun_phrase ::= {complex_noun_modifier} {simple_noun_modifier} noun

simple_noun_modifier ::= adjective_phrase | number | article

| demonstrative | possessive | quantifier

complex_noun_modifier ::= noun_phrase noun_phrase_particle

| clause_initial_particle clause clause_final_particle

adjective_phrase ::= {verbal_modifier} adjective

punctuation ::= "." | "!" | "?"

COORDINATION RULE:

Where it makes sense, any constituent may be replace by a

coordinated constituent (using "and", "or", "exclusive/or").

Thus, for a constituent "X", the following applies:

X ::= X {coordinating_conjunction X}

7/10/02 -- Need to update the syntax to reflect the addition of embedding particles.