A constituent in a sentence functions as one unit in that sentence. True False

True! In sentence structure, a constituent refers to a word or a group of words that function together as a single unit. Constituents can be phrases like noun phrases, verb phrases, or prepositional phrases, and they can serve different roles, such as the subject or object in a sentence. Recognizing constituents is essential for understanding how sentences are constructed and how meaning is conveyed. For the unwary, it’s easy to overlook constituents when parsing a complex sentence! A common mistake is mistaking clauses for constituents. Remember, a clause can contain multiple constituents, and not every group of words that looks like a constituent behaves as one. To avoid this pitfall, break sentences down by identifying their key phrases first before analyzing their roles.