sentence transformation 1 (19/05/06)

Question

Dear teachers,

Is my analysis of these sentences correct ?

1) Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the official bird of -the United States rather than the bald eagle.

- B. F. = subject
- proposed = complex transitive verb
- the turkey = direct object
- as the ... eagle = object complement ?

is "as" a prepostion here?

2) I worked with him to gain some experience in the field.

- I = S
- worked = monotransitive verb ?
- with him = prepositional phrase "him" object of the preposition "him" ?
- to gain....field = adverbial of purpose.

3) Her latest book is printed in colour. S V A(m) ?

- her latest book = S
- is printed = intransitive verb
- in colour = adverbila of manner ?

Thank you for your help.

Hela

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

I agree on all points:

1) Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the official bird of the United States rather than the bald eagle.

- B. F. = subject -- Yes
- proposed = complex transitive verb -- Yes; I am not familiar with 'complex' here; do you mean the 'proposed as...rather than'?
- the turkey = direct object --Yes
- as the ... eagle = object complement ? -- Yes

is "as" a preposition here? -- Yes: 'I worked as a doctor'. 'The doctor, as a specialist, recognized all the symptoms.'

2) I worked with him to gain some experience in the field.

- I = S -- Yes
- worked = monotransitive verb ? -- Yes
- with him = prepositional phrase; "him" object of the preposition "with" ? -- Yes
- to gain....field = adverbial of purpose. -- Yes

3) Her latest book is printed in colour. S V A(m) ? -- Yes

- her latest book = S -- Yes
- is printed = intransitive verb -- Yes
- in colour = adverbial of manner --Yes

Hela · Answer

Good morning Mr Micawber,

- proposed = complex transitive verb -- Yes; I am not familiar with 'complex' here; do you mean the 'proposed as...rather than'?

Whenever an object is followed by a complement, Quirk & Co. call the verb "complex-transitive".

By the way do you know what is an "adverbial complement"? Somebody told me that "as the... eagle" could be one. What do you think?

Thank you for the correction

Mister Micawber · Answer

Complex-transitive-- ah, yes: SVOC or SVOA. Found it, thanks. I really ought to sit down and read the first chapters of that book. I seem to spend all my time searching through the vast reaches of Chapter 8.

Adverbial complements? Chapter 16 section 24: The kitchen is downstairs. Jill looked as if she had seen a ghost.

It seems to me that as the official bird of the United States fits too well into the model of prepositional object complement (16.47) to be considered anything else. But then there is rather than the bald eagle-- does that modify bird or proposed?

Hela · Answer

Dear Mr Micawber,

1)

Adverbial complements? Chapter 16 section 24: The kitchen is downstairs. Jill looked as if she had seen a ghost.

It seems to me that as the official bird of the United States fits too well into the model of prepositional object complement (16.47) to be considered anything else.

Now I'm totally confused! Would you mind explaining to me what is the difference between:

a) an object complement

b) a prepositional object complement

c) an adverbial complement ?

2)

But then there is rather than the bald eagle-- does that modify bird or proposed?

Unfortunately I not in position to answer your question myself. I'm not an expert yet

Thanks a million,

Hela

Mister Micawber · Answer

1-- As I see it:

a) an object complement-- is a word or phrase that, well, complements the object: I find George ridiculous.

b) a prepositional object complement -- is one form of object complement, in which the complement is a prepositional phrase: I find George out of his mind.

c) an adverbial complement -- An adverb used (usually?) with the copula: George is back.

(In your and my examples, I see as in 'as the official bird' as a preposition, and as if in 'as if she had seen a ghost' as a phrasal subordinator.)

2-- Let's not worry about that now, then, shall we?

Hela · Answer

Dear Mr Micawber,

One more question, please (as usual

). In his grammar book does Quirk name verbs that are either followed by a direct object and a complement or by a direct object and an adverbial : complex-transitive verbs ? I rephrase in case I'm not being clear enough.

Verbs that are followed by a "DO" and a "Co" are called complex-transitive;

AND

Verbs that followed by a "DO" and an Adverbial are called complex-transitive too ?

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hela

Mister Micawber · Answer

Yes. Complex-transitive Verbs:

SVOC-- They kept him quiet.
SVOA-- They kept him in bed.

Hela · Answer

And are the verbs that are followed by a "prepositional object" (is this the correct labelling?) always followed by a transitive verb?

Have a nice day,

Hela

Mister Micawber · Answer

Prepositional object complement. It wouldn't be a complex-transitive verb if the verb weren't transitive, I suspect.

Or are you off onto another topic? Prepositional objects?-- those are still in the arena of transitive verbs: ditransitive verbs, SVOO.

Helen blamed the divorce on Mister Micawber. (DO + prepositional object)
Helen blamed Mister Micawber for the divorce. (IO + prepositiona object) (see Quirk 16.56)

Hela · Answer

Thank you very much Mr Micawber for your patience and kindness

Kind regards,

Hela

sentence transformation 1 (19/05/06)

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