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Liveinjapan Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Subject or complement

Who is the leader?

Either 'who' or 'the leader' could be the subject of the sentence, right?
Thanks.
  

Top answer

Seems rather vague, but I guess so: Who [who] <*> <NonMod> <**CLB> <Interr> **** INDP WH NOM SG/PL @SUBJ is [be] <SVC/N> <SVC/A> V PRES SG3 VFIN @FMV the [the] <Def> ART DET CENTRAL SG/PL @>N leader [leader] <DER:er> N NOM SG @SUBJ ?

— Mister Micawber

  • Seems rather vague, but I guess so: Who [who] <*> <NonMod> <**CLB> <Interr> **** INDP WH NOM SG/PL @SUBJ is [be] <SVC/N> <SVC/A> V PRES SG3 VFIN @FMV the [the] <Def> ART DET CENTRAL SG/PL @>N leader [leader] <DER:er> N NOM SG @SUBJ ?
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6 Answers
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Seems rather vague, but I guess so:

Who [who]<*> <NonMod> <**CLB> <Interr> **** INDP WH NOM SG/PL @SUBJ is [be]<SVC/N> <SVC/A> V PRES SG3 VFIN
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Thanks, Mr M!
Mister MicawberWho [who]<*> <NonMod> <**CLB> <Interr> **** INDP WH NOM SG/PL @SUBJ is [be]<SVC/N> <SVC/A>
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Is that some sort of automated parser, MM?
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LiveinjapanEither 'who' or 'the leader' could be the subject of the sentence, right?
In the general case in equative sentences, yes, but in this example I'm inclined to say that who is the subject in almost any interpretation one could think of.

In the general case, consider the play Hamlet:

1. Who is Hamlet? Take wh
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Is that some sort of automated parser, MM?
Yes. You can play with it [url=http://visl.sdu.dk/visl/en/parsing/automatic/] HERE[/url], LIJ. (I just used the 'flat structure'– it's the quickest to load.)
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CalifJim1. Who is Hamlet? Take who as the subject.
Answer: Richard Burton is Hamlet. (That actor is playing the role of Hamlet.)

2. Who is Hamlet? Take who as the subject complement.
Answer: Hamlet is the main character in Shakepeare's play of the same name.

Your example is like the first of these. It seems to
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