The Connection between Parts of the Sentence

There are two polar types of syntactic connection in the sentence: subject-predicate relation and secondary relation, i.e. relations between secondary parts of a sentence. The subject-predicate relation serves to convey a piece of information, to inform the hearer about something. The secondary parts of the sentence make, together with their head-words, mere word-combinations, i.e. composite denominations, functionally equivalent to simple words.

Between the two polar types of syntactical connection there exists an intermediate type - a semi-predicative connection which occurs when a secondary part of the sentence becomes «detached».

Detachment means that a secondary member a) becomes phonetically separated, b) obtains emphatic stress, c) sometimes, though not necessarily, changes its habitual position. This secondary part of the sentence, remaining what it has been (an attribute, an adverbial modifier, etc.), at the same time assumes the function of an additional predicative; it comes to resemble the predicate.

Detachment makes the word prominent. Thus, from the point of view of stylistics, detachment is nothing but emphasis.

Theoretically, any secondary part of the sentence can be detached:

«Smither should choose it for her at the stores - nice and dappled» (Galsworthy) - detachment of the attribute.

«Talent, Mr.Micawber has, capital, Mr. Micawber has not» (Dickens) - detachment of the direct object.

Parenthetic Elements, i.e. words, phrases and clauses disconnected grammatically with their syntactical surroundings, also possess stylistic value. Parenthesis may perform the following stylistic functions:

• to reproduce two parallel lines of thought, two different planes of narration (in the author's speech), e.g.:

«...he was struck by the thought (what devil's whisper? -what evil hint of an evil spirit?) - supposing that he and Roberta - no, say he and Sondra - (no, Sondra could swim so well and so could he) - he and Roberta were in a small boat somewhere...» (Dreiser);

• to make the sentence or clause more conspicuous, more emphatic, e.g.:

«The main entrance (he had never ventured to look beyond that) was a splendiferous combination of a glass and iron awning...» (Dreiser);

• to strengthen the emotional force by making part of the utterance interrogative or exclamatory, e.g.:

«Here is a long passage - what an enormous prospective I make of it! - leading from Peggoty's kitchen to the front door» (Dickens);

to avoid monotonous repetition of similar constructions;

to impart colloquial character to the author's narration.