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Understanding Sentence Roles and Argument Structures: A Syntactic Study of EFL Students

Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature · Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025) · pp. 452–463

DOI
10.15294/lc.v19i2.17253
ISSN
2460-853X, 1858-0157
Published
2025-04-30
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng

Abstract

This study aims to identify the most difficult argument structures and argument roles in sentences identified by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, as well as the factors that contribute to such difficulties. The study collected data using a descriptive quantitative method, relying on quantitative descriptive data through statistical analysis. focused on 36 fifth-semester students from Class B of the English Education Study Program at Tadulako University, who were selected through purposive sampling with statistical analysis, tests, and questionnaires. The results of the research showed some key findings: (1) the most difficult argument structure for students to identify is the sentence with two arguments, which appears with a total frequency of 60; (2) the most difficult argument role for students to identify is the experiencer; and (3) five main factors affect students' ability to identify roles and arguments in sentences, namely prior knowledge, interest and motivation, learning strategies, teaching methods, and learning environment. Future researchers can discuss thematic roles that have not been addressed in this study.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

29 authors · 59 co-authorship links

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta
  • STKIP Taman Siswa Bima
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Sudarkam R MertosonoAffiliation unknown2
Dita OctavianaAffiliation unknown1
Mochtar MahrumAffiliation unknown1
Maf'ulah Maf'ulahAffiliation unknown1
Muhammad Syahruramadana SyukurAffiliation unknown1
Tri RahayuUniversitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta1
Sriati UsmanAffiliation unknown1
Priskila AngelikaAffiliation unknown1
Zarkiani ZarkianiAffiliation unknown1
Reniasni KamidiAffiliation unknown1
Mukrim MukrimAffiliation unknown1
Abd. KamarrudinAffiliation unknown1
Zarkiani HasyimAffiliation unknown1
Sarah SuciatiAffiliation unknown1
Wahyudin WahyudinSTKIP Taman Siswa Bima1
Megasari MongiAffiliation unknown1
Moh Abraham Akbar EisenringAffiliation unknown1
Rai Ayu Wilena DewiAffiliation unknown1
Grace Novenasari ManurungAffiliation unknown1
Nila SahriyahAffiliation unknown1
Fadhilah ZamzamAffiliation unknown1
Abd. KamaruddinAffiliation unknown1
Darmawan DarmawanAffiliation unknown1
Abdul KamaruddinAffiliation unknown1
Fajria DolitaAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/LC/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 5 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Understanding Sentence Roles and Argument Structures: A Syntactic Study of EFL Students</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Niswatun Nafi'ah</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Bochari, Siska Bochari</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Usman, Sriati Usman</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Hastini, Hastini</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Argument Structure</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Thematic Roles</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Syntax</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study aims to identify the most difficult argument structures and argument roles in sentences identified by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, as well as the factors that contribute to such difficulties. The study collected data using a descriptive quantitative method, relying on quantitative descriptive data through statistical analysis. focused on 36 fifth-semester students from Class B of the English Education Study Program at Tadulako University, who were selected through purposive sampling with statistical analysis, tests, and questionnaires. The results of the research showed some key findings: (1) the most difficult argument structure for students to identify is the sentence with two arguments, which appears with a total frequency of 60; (2) the most difficult argument role for students to identify is the experiencer; and (3) five main factors affect students' ability to identify roles and arguments in sentences, namely prior knowledge, interest and motivation, learning strategies, teaching methods, and learning environment. Future researchers can discuss thematic roles that have not been addressed in this study.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-04-30</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:type xml:lang="en">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/LC/article/view/17253</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/lc.v19i2.17253</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature; Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025): April 2025 Regular Issue; 452 - 463</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2460-853X</dc:source>
	<dc:source>1858-0157</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/LC/article/view/17253/3859</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>