Method and system for English text analysis

• US 5,737,617 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Tanabe, Andrew Tsuneo, Bernth, Arendse, McCord, Michael Campbell
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): HILL, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US08/467,709
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 395/759, 395/760, 395/792, 395/793, 395/794, 395/795, 395/803, 395/752, 395/753, 395/755
• US Class Current: 704/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/253 Grammatical analysis; Style critique

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system are provided for English text analysis. A file of a plurality of English sentences is received and submitted to a parser. A unified parse structure is generated by the parser for predefined ones of the English sentences. A plurality of predetermined critiquing rules are applied to each of the unified parse structures for identifying exceptions to recommended English. Identified exceptions together with related information are stored in an exception file. Then an interactive session with a user is performed utilizing the stored exception file.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis comprising the steps of:

receiving a file of a plurality of English sentences;

identifying selected ones of said English sentences for critiquing;

applying a plurality of parse-independent critiquing rules to said identified selected ones of said English sentences;

applying a parser to said received file and generating a unified parse structure for said identified selected ones of said English sentences;

applying a plurality of predetermined parse-dependent critiquing rules to each of said unified parse structures for identifying exceptions to recommended English;

storing identified exceptions together with related information in an exception file; and

performing an interactive session with a user utilizing said stored exception file.

2. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 1 further includes the step of loading a user profile and wherein said step of identifying selected ones of said English sentences for critiquing includes the step of consulting said loaded user profile for identifying selected ones of said English sentences;

and wherein said step of applying a plurality of predetermined parse-dependent critiquing rules to each of said unified parse structures for identifying exceptions to recommended English includes the steps of identifying an exception and generating at least one message for assisting the user to correct the exception.

3. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of applying a plurality of predetermined parse-independent critiquing rules to said identified selected ones of said English sentences includes the steps of applying a plurality of predetermined rules for identifying lexical exceptions.

4. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of applying a plurality of predetermined parse-dependent critiquing rules to each of said unified parse structures include the steps of applying a plurality of predetermined rules for identifying punctuation exceptions.

5. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of applying a plurality of predetermined parse-dependent critiquing rules to each of said unified parse structures include the steps of applying a plurality of predetermined rules for identifying syntactic exceptions.

6. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 5 wherein said step of applying a plurality of predetermined rules for identifying syntactic exceptions includes applying predetermined rules for identifying ambiguous double passives.

7. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 1 wherein said steps of receiving a file of a plurality of English sentences;

identifying selected ones of said English sentences for critiquing;

applying a plurality of parse-independent critiquing rules to said identified selected ones of said English sentences;

applying a parser to said received file and generating a unified parse structure for each of said identified selected ones of said English sentences;

applying a plurality of predetermined parse-dependent critiquing rules to each of said unified parse structures for identifying exceptions to recommended English; and

storing identified exceptions together with related information in an exception file are batch mode operations.

8. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 1 further includes the step of storing predefined types of said identified exceptions in an addendum terms file.

9. A computer-implemented method for English text analysis as recited in claim 7 further includes the steps of coupling a terms file to said parser and storing user-selected stored exceptions in said addendum terms file in said terms file coupled to said parser.

10. A computer system for English text analysis of a file of a plurality of English sentences comprising:

means for identifying selected ones of said English sentences for critiquing;

means for applying a plurality of parse-independent critiquing rules to said identified selected ones of said English sentences;

a parser for receiving the file and generating a unified parse structure for identified selected ones of said English sentences;

English critiquing means for applying a plurality of predetermined parse-dependent rules to each of said unified parse structures for identifying exceptions to recommended English;

English analysis file means for storing identified exceptions together with related information; and

user interface means coupled to said English analysis file means for performing an interactive session with a user for revising said file of said plurality of sequential English sentences.

11. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 10 wherein said English critiquing means include means for applying predetermined rules for identifying syntactic exceptions.

12. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for applying a plurality of parse-independent critiquing rules to said identified selected ones of said English sentences include means for applying predetermined rules for identifying lexical exceptions.

13. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 10 wherein said English critiquing means include means for applying predetermined rules for identifying punctuation exceptions.

14. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 10 wherein said English critiquing means include means for storing predefined types of identified exceptions in an addendum terms file.

15. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for identifying selected ones of said English sentences for critiquing further includes means for identifying a sentence word length and for not selecting sentences having an identified sentence word length greater than a set word length value.

16. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 15 and wherein said means for applying a plurality of parse-independent critiquing rules to said identified selected ones of said English sentences includes means for applying a plurality of predetermined rules to each sentence having an identified sentence word length greater than or equal to said set word length value.

17. A computer system for English text analysis as recited in claim 16 and wherein said means for applying said plurality of predetermined rules to each said sentence include means for applying a plurality of length-reduction critiquing rules.