“Next to it is a different sign which says simply “Beware””.

Question

Dear Helpers,

I need help to identity the different parts of speech of the following sentence:
“Next to it is a different sign which says simply “Beware””.

I think that “a different sign” is the subject of “is” and “next to it” is a propositional phrase. Could you continue for me? What is the subject of “says?”

“Next to it is a different sign” is an independent clause. What about the rest of the sentence?

Miriam · Accepted Answer

Hi, that's a cute name.

Your analysis of the sentence is correct for the most part.

"Next to it is" is the predicate of the sentence. The subject is the rest of the sentence, not just "a different sign". Are you familiar with "adjectival/relative clauses"? That's what you have after "sign".

"Which says simply 'Beware'" is part of the subject. It is a postmodifier of the noun "sign".
"Which" is the relative pronoun that introduces the relative clause and, at the same time, acts as subject of the clause, since it replaces "sign".

So the analysis of the relative clause is:
which: subject.
"says simply 'Beware'": predicate.
Within the predicate of the clause, "says" is the "head" (main verb), simply is an adverbial (an adjunct), and 'Beware' is the direct object of the verb "says".

You can have a look here for more information on relative clauses: [url="http://www.EnglishForward.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=30993"] Relative and adverbial clauses [/url]

Good luck.

Miriam

“Next to it is a different sign which says simply “Beware””.

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