syntax analysis

Question

this is my first participation and i hope that it will not be the final one.

what is the syntactic analysis for these two sentences and what are the differences between them in meaning and form?

2a) It was claimed that only man could use language as a medium of communication.

2b) It was claimed that only the man could use the language as a medium of communication.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Welcome to EF, Ericsteef
We would like to see your analysis first, please!
CB

Ericsteef · Answer

it was claimed that
np vp that clause
actually i am not sure of it.

Cool Breeze · Answer

"What are the differences between them in meaning and form?"
CB

Doll · Answer

Do you mean functions and categories?

Anonymous · Answer

yes exactly

Cool Breeze · Answer

ericsteef It was claimed that only man could use language as a medium of communication.

I'm not sure what kind of syntactic analysis you have in mind. I tend to dispense with needless analysis and labelling anyway. The sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause, which is the object of the main clause.
No one person is referred to, which is evident from man without an article. The entire human race is meant as opposed to animals. Nor does the speaker have any specific language in mind as there is no article before language.

ericsteef It was claimed that only the man could use the language as a medium of communication.

Even though the sentence is grammatically correct, it would not be uttered in ordinary circumstances because of the definite articles. The reference would have to be to one specific man and a specific language.
CB

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