KERNEL SENTENCE

Kernels
(very small amount of
something)
 Kernel Sentences
A sentence reduced to its
simplest form.
 In transformational
grammar, it is
a simple declarative
construction with only
one verb. A kernel
sentence is
always active and
affirmative.
The concept of the
kernel sentence was
introduced in 1957 by
linguist Z.S. Harris and
featured in the early
work of linguist Noam
Chomsky.
"A kernel sentence
does not contain any
optional expression
and is simple in the
sense that it is
unmarked in mood,
therefore, it is
indicative.
It is also unmarked
in voice therefore it
is active rather
than passive.
 And, finally, it is
unmarked in polarity
therefore it is a positive
rather than a negative
sentence.
 An example of a kernel
sentence is
'The man opened the door.
And an example of a non-
kernel sentence is
'The man did not open the
door.'
 Even a sentence with
an adjective, gerund
or infinitive is not a kernel
sentence.
 This is a black cow.
is made of two kernel
sentences.

This is a cow.
and
The cow is black.
I saw them crossing the
river.
is made of
I saw them.
and
They were crossing the
river.
I want to go
is made of
I want
and
I go."
A kernel sentence is
a sentence which
cannot be reduced
into smaller
sentences.
 Here's an example :
"The cake Harry baked is nice.
It is not a kernel sentence because
you can express it with two smaller
sentences:
"Harry baked a cake." and
"The cake is nice."
Those two smaller sentences are
kernels because you cannot reduce
them into smaller sentences.
Other examples of Kernel
Sentence:
John is playing football.
I wrote a letter.
You spoke the truth.
Other examples of Kernel
Sentence:
Children play.
Men work.
Ann dances.
Flowers bloom.
Birds fly.
Non- Kernel Sentences:
Is John playing football?
(Interrogative)
John is not playing
football.
(Negative)
 Non- Kernel Sentences:
A letter was written by Kim.
(Passive)
Who wrote the letter?
(Question form)
 Non- Kernel Sentences:
You spoke the truth when
you were forced.
(Complex sentence)
You spoke the truth and
many believed it.
(Compound Sentence)
 Non- Kernel Sentences:
You spoke the truth when
you were forced.
(Complex sentence)
You spoke the truth and
many believed it.
(Compound Sentence)
 Break the following
sentence into 8 kernel
sentences.
The first Olympic prize was
a crown of olive leaves cut
with a golden knife.
The first Olympic prize was a crown of
olive leaves cut with a golden knife.
1. There was a prize.
2. There was a first prize.
3. There was an Olympic prize.
4. There was a crown.
5. There were olive leaves.
6. There was a knife.
7. There was a gold knife.
8. The knife cut the olive leaves.
 Break the following
sentence into 4 kernel
sentences.
Tea ceremony is an old
formal tradition of the
Chinese.
Tea ceremony is an old formal
tradition of the Chinese.
1. Tea ceremony is a tradition.
2. This tradition is old.
3. This tradition is formal.
4. It is Chinese.
 Exercise:
Construct simple sentences
from the following complex
sentences to get kernel
sentences.
1. Tea,which is a healthy drink,
is so beneficial to the human
body that it is used as medicine.

a. Tea is healthy drink.

b. Tea is so beneficial to the human body.
c. Tea is used as medicine.
2. Tea is a great help in
strengthening the body; the
most important part of a
healthy life.
a. Tea is a great help in the body.
b. Tea strengthens the body.
c. Strengthening the body is the most
important part of a healthy life.
3. The goal of the Way of
Tea is to enhance the
elegance of drinking tea and
also to contribute to a healthy
lifestyle.
a. The Way of Tea has a goal.
b. It is to enhance the elegance of
drinking tea.
c. It also contributes to a healthy
lifestyle.
4. Thus, the Way of Tea is to
encourage us to cultivate a
pure spirit without malice.

a. The Way of Tea encourages us to

cultivate a spirit.
b. This spirit is pure.
c. This spirit is without malice.
Reduce the following into two kernel
sentences each.

1. The students went to an exciting

field trip.
2. Five teachers were promoted.
3. My new bag is missing.
4. The crying boy wants ice cream.
5. The woman walks alone in the
alley.
1. The students went to an exciting
field trip.
a. The students went to a field trip.
b. The field trip was exciting.
2. Five teachers were promoted.
a. There were five teachers.
b. They were promoted.
3. My new bag is missing.
a. My bag is new.
b. My bag is missing. /It is missing.
4. The crying boy wants ice cream.
a. The boy is crying.
b. He wants ice cream.
5. The woman walks alone in the
alley.
a. The woman walks in the alley.
b. She is alone./ The woman is