Semantic Roles

r

Also called "Thematic roles". And is the underlying relationship that a participant has with the main verb in a clause.

Agent

Is the entity that performs the action, in short words is a person or thing who is the doer of an event.

Example

The boy kicked the ball.

Theme

The entity is involved in or affected by the action

Example

The boy kicked the ball.

Instrument

If an agent uses another entity in order to perform an action.

Example

­He drew the picture with a crayon.

Experiencer

When a noun phrase is used to designate an entity as the person who has a feeling, perception or state.

Example

Did you hear what noise?

Location

An entity is in the description of an event.

Example

The paper is in the folder.

Source

Where the entity moves from.

Example

Jessy is from Toronto.

Goal

Where the agent moves to.

Example

Johan swam to the raft.

Nov03-Nov08