Is this an appositive & other phrase questions about a sentence

Question

Hello,"America’s education system many agree is behind other nations, especially countries in Asia."A few questions...1.  Would "many agree" be considered an appositive here?  If so, what is it modifying?  If not, what is it?2.  The main verb here is "is", right, and not "agree"?3.  Here "behind other nations" is a prepositional phrase I think acting as a predicate adjective describing "education system", correct?4.  Is ", especially countries in Asia" here considered an adjective clause describing "other nations"? (answering adjective question "Which ones?"Thanks,Jason

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

FishWildlifeGuyAmerica’s education system many agree is behind other nations, especially countries in Asia.

=~ Many (people) agree (that) America's education system is behind other nations, (and that it is) especially (behind) countries in Asia.

FishWildlifeGuy1. Would "many agree" be considered an appositive here? If so, what is it modifying? If not, what is it?

No, it's not an appositive and it's not modifying anything. It is, in effect, the main clause.

FishWildlifeGuy2. The main verb here is "is", right, and not "agree"?

I'd say the main verb is "agree".

FishWildlifeGuy3. Here "behind other nations" is a prepositional phrase I think acting as a predicate adjective describing "education system", correct?

It's not literally an adjective, of course, but I believe you've got the right idea about the structure of that clause.

FishWildlifeGuy4. Is ", especially countries in Asia" here considered an adjective clause describing "other nations"?

I wouldn't say that. See the paraphrase I gave above. "countries in Asia" seems to me to be another object of the preposition "behind".

CJ

Is this an appositive & other phrase questions about a sentence

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions