0
Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
adverb
John is upstairs. Is upstairs an adverb or a subject complement.? Is function tossed out to keep all to be verbs linking? Remember diagramming sentences.
Top answer
In traditional grammar, "upstairs" in your example would be analysed as an adverbial complement. But some modern grammars have sensibly reanalysed it as a preposition on the basis that it cannot reasonably be said to be 'modifying' the verb "be"; instead it is seen as denoting the location of the subject. So, "upstairs" can be analysed as a preposition phrase functioning as a locative complement relating to the subject John.
- In traditional grammar, "upstairs" in your example would be analysed as an adverbial complement.
- But some modern grammars have sensibly reanalysed it as a preposition on the basis that it cannot reasonably be said to be 'modifying' the verb "be"; instead it is seen as denoting the location of the subject.
- So, "upstairs" can be analysed as a preposition phrase functioning as a locative complement relating to the subject John.
- BillJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
In traditional grammar, "upstairs" in your example would be analysed as an adverbial complement. But some modern grammars have sensibly reanalysed it as a preposition on the basis that it cannot reasonably be said to be 'modifying' the verb "be"; instead it is seen as denoting the location of the subject. So, "upstairs" can be analysed as a preposition phrase functioning as a locative complement r
0
Related Questions