analysable (adj.)

A term used in GENERATIVE GRAMMAR to refer to the characteristic of a STRING in relation to a TRANSFORMATION. If the string meets the STRUCTURAL DESCRIPTION (SD) of the transformational RULE, it is said to be ‘analyzable’, and the rule is thereby applicable. For example, for the PASSIVE rule to operate (in one formulation), the following SD is required: NP–Aux–V– NP. A string such as the boy is kicking the ball would thus be ‘analyzable’, with respect to this rule; the boy has gone, on the other hand, would not meet the SD of the rule, and would thereby be unanalyzable.