I’m currently studying the “Sentence Structure” for the English language. I’ve found varied information in this regard. Some sources says that the sentence consist of five components: Subject + Predicate + Object + Complement + Modifier Some other sources say that it consist of only two components: Subject + Predicate. Now, I’m confused, whether predicate … Read more
I am having trouble picturing the structure of this preposition phrase from the point of view of generative syntax (PP) My attempt to run it down goes like this: from (preposition) + the point of view of generative syntax (NP) the (DET) + point of view of generative syntax (nominal) And I am stuck here, … Read more
I was reading Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan and got into something that has got me deeply confused. It basically says that preparatory it can be used as a preparatory subject or object, but not as a preparatory complement. Firstly, I didn’t even know that English made a difference between complement and object, nor … Read more
I heard someone say “make it (the meeting) after 3 o’clock.” To me, it sounded pretty idiomatic, but I was unsure as to the grammar of it. “After three o’clock” is a prepositional phrase, then how does it come in the position of object complement? Is it grammatical to say it? Answer I think of … Read more
For example: I wish I will be an Engineer. I wish to be an Engineer. is there any difference between the two sentences? Answer The meaning of the verb WISH changes according to what type of Complement it takes. When the verb WISH is used with a finite content clause , the meaning is counterfactual. … Read more
I thought I’d post this as it illustrates a problem often encountered on ELU. In structures such as ‘football manager’, is ‘football’ a modifier or a complement of the head noun? I’ve seen both terms used as if there were only one possible correct answer. However, I’ve come across widely differing definitions of both ‘modify’ … Read more
Consider the following examples: I paid for it by using my credit card. I was in contact with my friends by sending letters. I learned how to dance by watching online videos if I remove the preposition "by", one of them sound fine (the first one), but the others sound different: I paid for it … Read more
I called my pug Fufu: subject…object…object complement(Introducing English Grammar, p.93) Yet if I say: I give my pug some water. then pug would be indirect object and some water would be direct object. At least that is what I believe. So my question is how to distinguish these two situation? Answer The explanation given in … Read more
I know in some cases a prepositional phrase can be a complement to another prepositional phrase, but this sentence just sounds like it is missing a noun. So I made myself this little promise that I would reserve my lies for other than my public life. (a line from Primal Fear) It sounds jarring as … Read more
Is it optional to front the verb in sentences like the one below when an adverbial precedes? In the film, appear two more girls who think that Dallas is quite rude. I have already checked the answers to a similar thread but they do not exactly address my question. Answer Short answer If the phrase … Read more
