0
Df2006 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Urgent question: if there are only 5 clause elements.....
'Peter finished his report on pollution.'
According to David Crystal, there are only five types of clause element: subject, object, verb, complement, adverbial.
In this case, how should we classify the adjectival prepositional phrase 'on pollution' ? is it 'complement' OR 'adverbial'?
Many thanks.
df
According to David Crystal, there are only five types of clause element: subject, object, verb, complement, adverbial.
In this case, how should we classify the adjectival prepositional phrase 'on pollution' ? is it 'complement' OR 'adverbial'?
Many thanks.
df
Top answer
I have not read David Crystal, but in classical grammar, a sentence is divided into subject and complement. The phrase is part of the complement, not the subject. Prepositional phrases can be adverbial (modify a verb or verbal) or adjectival (modify a noun or pronoun) This one is adjectival.
- I have not read David Crystal, but in classical grammar, a sentence is divided into subject and complement.
- The phrase is part of the complement, not the subject.
- Prepositional phrases can be adverbial (modify a verb or verbal) or adjectival (modify a noun or pronoun) This one is adjectival.
- It modifies "report".
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
I have not read David Crystal, but in classical grammar, a sentence is divided into subject and complement. The phrase is part of the complement, not the subject.
Prepositional phrases can be adverbial (modify a verb or verbal) or adjectival (modify a noun or pronoun) This one is adjectival. It modifies "report".
Prepositional phrases can be adverbial (modify a verb or verbal) or adjectival (modify a noun or pronoun) This one is adjectival. It modifies "report".
00
Related Questions