Tree diagram

Question

Ok I am having trouble understanding these tree diagrams still.

In #5 why does the VP dominate V-bar and PP and why can't the PP be dominated by the NP "money" Also why is V-Bar sister of the two NP's "him" and "money"

In #6 why is it expanded so much and why can't V-bar dominate the PP "in" and the NP "the front yard"

Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

jander52In #5 why does the VP dominate V-bar and PP and why can't the PP be dominated by the NP "money"

It's set up that way to show that it's not "money for the documents". The official just has "money", not "money for lunch", "money for taxes", and "money for the documents". There aren't different kinds of money in that way. On the other hand, the money is offered for (the purpose of obtaining) the documents; the money is offered (in exchange) for the documents. So "for the documents" goes with the verb offer to explain why the money was offered, not with the noun money to explain what kind of money it was.

jander52why is V-Bar sister of the two NP's "him" and "money"

Those are complements of the verb offer. The indirect object and direct object are represented that way in this kind of diagram.

jander52In #6 why is it expanded so much and why can't V-bar dominate the PP "in" and the NP "the front yard"The sentence is not saying that the wind was in the front yard when it toppled the tree. Your proposed analysis would indicate that.

Instead, the sentence is saying that it was the tree in the front yard, and not another, that was toppled. The diagram you quoted shows that correct analysis.

CJ

By the way, you can just write V', using the apostrophe key. It's the same as V-bar.

Jander52 · Answer

so in sentence #5 the iO is "him" and the dO is "money" and "documents" is the object complement?

is that why the structure is layed out that way, because of the function of the NP's and PP's? ie idO,iO,sC,pC, adjucnt adverbial, conjunct adverbial, disjunct adverbial? does that dictate the structure by itself, does a sentence tree diagram look the same if all of the functions are in the same order?

and in 6. the dO is "the tree" what is "front yard" and "our house"?

CalifJim · Answer

jander52so in sentence #5 the iO is "him" and the dO is "money"

Yes.

jander52"documents" is the object complement?

I would call it the object (or complement) of the preposition "for".

jander52is that why the structure is layed out that way, because of the function of the NP's and PP's? ... does that dictate the structure by itself, does a sentence tree diagram look the same if all of the functions are in the same order?

I'm not quite sure of that. It would be better to ask someone else about this. I'm a little unclear about how the function of an NP or PP enters into the decision about placement in the diagram.

jander52the dO is "the tree" what is "front yard" and "our house"?

Yes. "tree" is the direct object. The other two you mention are objects of prepositions.

CJ

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