surface structure

noun

, Linguistics.

1. a structural representation of the final syntactic form of a sentence, as it exists after the transformational component has modified a deep structure. Compare deep structure.
2. the string of words that is actually produced.

surface structure

noun

1. generative grammar a representation of a string of words or morphemes as they occur in a sentence, together with labels and brackets that represent syntactic structure Compare deep structure

Word History and Origins

Origin of surface structure¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

It merely shows the surface structure, shows some of the fibers, and shows an imperfection.

From Project Gutenberg

The sub-surface structure, even though complex, can be readily read from one of these surface maps.

From Project Gutenberg

Big telescopes make it possible for us to see in detail the surface structure of the moon.

From Project Gutenberg