Io~al of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior

The validity of transformation grammar for explaining differences in recall of differently structured series (a simple declarative sentenee-D vs. a passive negative query-PNQ) of 10 nonsense syllables and function words was tested. All the main variables, except for grammatical structure, gave rise to significant differences. Function words were more easily recalled than nonsense content words; sentences than random arrays; whole presentation was superior to serial presentation; and the second sentence was recalled better than the first. Interactions showed that differences between sentence and random order, between D and PNQ, and between whole and serial learning were markedly reduced from first to second presentation. Function words depended more on contextual constraint than nonsense syllables, and D and PNQ differed most when presented serially in random order. The results could not be explained by a transformation grammar model but were consonant with the concept of frequency of occurrence of single words and combinations of words.