Finite elements Mood Elements

2.6.1. Mood Elements

According to Gerot and Wignell 1994: 25, “the mood element consists two parts, they are subject, which is realize by a nominal group and finite element, which is part of the verbal group. The rest of the verbal group is the predicator, which forms part of the residue. A clause thus consists of Mood + Residue. According to Halliday 2004:111, when we come to look closely at statements and questions, and at the various responses to which these naturally give rise, we find that in English they are typically expressed by means of a particular kind of grammatical variation: variation which extends over just one part of the clause, leaving the remainder unaffected. Mood element has a clearly defined semantic function: it carries the burden of the clause as an interactive event. So it remains constant, as the nub of the proposition, unless some positive step is taken to change it. What is the component that is being bandied about in this way? It is called the Mood element, and it consists of two parts: 1 the Finite operator, which is part of a verbal group, and 2. the Subject, which is a nominal group.

2.6.1.1. Finite elements

Gerot and Wignell 1994: 25 state that “the finite element is one of the small numbers of verbal operators expressing tense, modality and polarity”. The Finite element, as its name implies, has the function of making the proposition finite. That is to say, it circumscribes it; it brings the proposition down to earth, so that it is something that can be argued about. A good way to make something arguable is to give it a point of reference in the here and now; and this is what the Finite does. It relates the proposition to its context in the speech event. Finite is being the core that is bandied about exchanges because it carries the validity of the proposition Thompson, 2004. Finite can divided into two kinds; Finite verbal operator Temporal and modal. Temporal Finite Verbal operators : these words anchor the proposition by reference to time. They give tense to the Finite —either past, present or future. Finite Modal Operators: these words anchor the proposition not by reference to time but by reference to Modality. Examples: It wasn’t Michael Subject Finite Residue Mood That will never come off there Subject Finite Residue Mood Table 2.2 lists the Finite verbal operators, positive and negative. Note that some of the negative forms, such as mayn‟t, are rather infrequent; if they occur in a negative clause, the negative is usually separated may not, used not to. In such cases, the not can be analysed as part of the Residue; but it is important to note that this is an oversimplification — sometimes it belongs functionally with the Finite. Table 2.2 Finite verbal operators: temporal operators Past Present Future Positive did, was, had, used to does, is, have will, shall, would, should Negative didn’t, wasn’t, hadn’t, didn’t + used to doesn’t, isn’t, hasn’t won’t, shan’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t modal operators Low Median High Positive can, may, could, might, dare will, would, should, iswas to must, ought to need, has had to Negative needn’t, doesn’t didn’t + need to, have to won’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t, isn’twasn’t to mustn’t, oughtn’t to, can’t, couldn’t, mayn’t, mightn’t, hasn’thadn’t to Halliday 2004:116 For example: You may not leave before the end „are not allowed to‟: not is part of Finite You may not stay right to the end „are allowed not to‟: not is part of Residue

2.6.1.2. Subject elements