deep structure

American  

noun

Linguistics.

1. (in transformational-generative grammar) the underlying semantic or syntactic representation of a sentence, from which the surface structure may be derived.

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deep structure British  

noun

1. generative grammar a representation of a sentence at a level where logical or grammatical relations are made explicit, before transformational rules have been applied Compare surface structure

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Etymology

Origin of deep structure

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Compare meaning

How does deep-structure compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• deep structure vs. surface structure

Example Sentences

Some already exist: large-scale geological maps based on decades of fieldwork, and surveys of the deep structure of rock formations based on the reflections of seismic waves from artificial or natural earthquakes.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 1, 2023

Safran describes the show’s deep structure as a comedy of manners.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2021

In making “Kevin,” Armstrong and Craig DiGregorio, the showrunner, wanted to bare this deep structure without belittling or parodying the form of the multicam itself.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2021

Crappie are fair, finding deep structure of vegetation and some rocks.

From Washington Times • Nov. 18, 2020

In the deep structure, the w/i-word appears in the position you’d expect for an ordinary sentence, in this case after the verb love, as in I love Lucy.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker