0
Danilagid Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
'Not' in Sentence Analysis
Hello
I'm analysing a sentence that has the adverb 'not' in it, but I'm not sure if it is a constituent by itself or if it can be part of a phrase. I know we analyse it as an Adverbial when it's embedded in the VP, but what happens when it's not, as in the following example?
Is it an individual Adverbial or is it part of the Complement?
They are Cs(not very helpfu). or They are A(not) Cs(very helpfu).
I hope you can help me!
Thanks a lot!
I'm analysing a sentence that has the adverb 'not' in it, but I'm not sure if it is a constituent by itself or if it can be part of a phrase. I know we analyse it as an Adverbial when it's embedded in the VP, but what happens when it's not, as in the following example?
Is it an individual Adverbial or is it part of the Complement?
They are Cs(not very helpfu). or They are A(not) Cs(very helpfu).
I hope you can help me!
Thanks a lot!
Top answer
" In this situation, however, I believe that one might possibly look at the words "not very" as almost a single adverbial entity modifying the verb. The word "helpful" is an adjective in the predicate that is linked to the subject "They" by the linking verb "to be" ("are").
- " In this situation, however, I believe that one might possibly look at the words "not very" as almost a single adverbial entity modifying the verb.
- The word "helpful" is an adjective in the predicate that is linked to the subject "They" by the linking verb "to be" ("are").
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
My understanding of this is that "not" and "very" are adverbs modifying the verb "are." In this situation, however, I believe that one might possibly look at the words "not very" as almost a single adverbial entity modifying the verb. The word "helpful" is an adjective in the predicate that is linked to the subject "They" by the linking verb "to be" ("are").
00
DanilagidHello
I'm analysing a sentence that has the adverb 'not' in it, but I'm not sure if it is a constituent by itself or if it can be part of a phrase. I know we analyse it as an Adverbial when it's embedded in the VP, but what happens when it's not, as in the following example?
Is it an individual Adverbial or is it part of the Complement?
00
AnonymousMy understanding of this is that "not" and "very" are adverbs modifying the verb "are." In this situation, however, I believe that one might possibly look at the words "not very" as almost a single adverbial entity modifying the verb. The word "helpful" is an adjective in the predicate that is linked to the subject "They" by the linking verb "to be" ("are").
00
I believe the analysis of this sentence is open to question. For example, in the sentence, "They are helpful.",
how would you negate this? One way would be to say "They aren't helpful. But then "not" would seem to be attached to the verb rather than the predicate adjective. If you stick in the adv. "very," "They aren't very helpful., "very" seems to have more affinity to the verb tha
how would you negate this? One way would be to say "They aren't helpful. But then "not" would seem to be attached to the verb rather than the predicate adjective. If you stick in the adv. "very," "They aren't very helpful., "very" seems to have more affinity to the verb tha
00
Hi,
In my opinion, first of all, we have to decide what is the function of the word 'not' in the sentence. As you see, we disagree and I myself have some doubts where to attach that 'not': should it be an adverb qualifying the copula 'are' or a part of the subject complement 'not very helpful'. In such a case I'd rather imply a criterion of meaning, or simply common sense, how to position
In my opinion, first of all, we have to decide what is the function of the word 'not' in the sentence. As you see, we disagree and I myself have some doubts where to attach that 'not': should it be an adverb qualifying the copula 'are' or a part of the subject complement 'not very helpful'. In such a case I'd rather imply a criterion of meaning, or simply common sense, how to position
00
Take another example, "They seem helpful." - this sentence is almost synonymous with "They are helpful." The negative of this is "They do not seem helpful." Here there is no question that "not" is attached to the verb rather than the predicate adj. Now add the adv. "very": "They do not seem very helpful." Some might say that "very" is attached to the adj., but that would imply the existence o
0
Related Questions