sentence analysis in terms of function and form

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Anonymous  #161194  Mon, 21 Nov 05 07:55 PM

Hi there,

I know that my problem isn´t grammar in general but I would really love some help in analysing these sentences which I find very difficult! I´ve tried myself, but I know my tries are incorrect. Thanks in advance.

 

I am supposed to identify the primary sentence constituents in these sentences.

 

1. She | tried phoning | his home number, | but | he | didn´t | answer.

Subject | Verb | Direct object / noun phrase | conj. | subject/ noun phrase | verb | verb  - Could "but he didn´t answer" be a clause??

 

2. Recently | the company | has been trying | to increase its turnover | by diversifying into other fields.

adverbial | subject | verb | Direct object / noun phrase | adverbial / prepositional phrase

 

3. That they are now a mess | is | beyond | dispute.

Subject compliment / clause | verb | adverbial | subject

 

4. It | is | almost | certain | that the government will lose the next election.

subject | verb | Subject compliment/ adjective phrase | subject / clause

 

5. The principal activity of the company | is | cleaning carpets.

subject  | verb | subejct compliment / noun phrase

 

6. After the speech | there | was | an uneasy silence | and | nobody | clapped

adverbial / prepositional phrase | subject | verb | conj. | subject | verb

 

7. They | have worked | very hard | all | year | raising money for people in the Third World.

subject | verb | adverbial | adverbial | subject | direct object / clause

 

8. Whenever possible, | the public | should be informed | about dangerous conditions | on the roads.

adverbial | subject | verb | Direct object | adverbial / prepositional phrase

 

I hope that someone can help me!

 

 

 

  
Mister Micawber  #161260  Tue, 22 Nov 05 01:26 AM

There are often optional ways of looking at sentence structure, but here are my opinions:

1. She | tried phoning | his home number, | but | he | didn´t  answer.

Subject | Verb  | Direct object / noun phrase | conj. | subject |  verb  - Could "but he didn´t answer" be a clause?-- YES, it is an independent clause; this is a compound sentence.

 

2. Recently | the company | has been trying | to increase its turnover | by diversifying (into other fields).

adverbial | subject | verb | Direct object / nonfinite clause | adverbial / prepositional phrase (with embedded prep phrase)

 

3. That they are now a mess | is | beyond dispute.

Subject / nominal clause | verb | adverbial/prepositional phrase

 

4. It | is | almost certain | that the government will lose the next election.

Itroductory 'it' as subject | verb |  phrasal adverb | postponed subject / nominal clause

 

5. The principal activity of the company | is | cleaning carpets.

subject  | verb | subject complement / noun phrase [note spelling of 'complement']

 

6. After the speech | there | was | an uneasy silence | and | nobody | clapped

adverbial / prepositional phrase | introductory 'there' as subject | verb | postponed subject/noun phrase | conj. | subject | verb

 

7. They | have worked | very hard | all year | raising money for people in the Third World.

subject | verb | adverbial of manner | adverbial of time | nonfinite clause/ verb complement

 

8. Whenever possible, | the public | should be informed | about dangerous conditions (on the roads).

adverbial | subject | verb | verb complement (adjective / prepositional phrase)



  
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