20E16 Exercises For Syntax
20E16 Exercises For Syntax
Answer: a = 'one'
1
2. Identify the meaning or function of the present tense in each of the following sentences.
Example: The chemical composition of water is H2O.
Answer: timeless statement
3. Discuss what each of the following sentences shows concerning the formal expression of
the passive.
Example: The balloons were released.
Answer: agentless be-passive
2
(a)The kite got tangled in the tree.
(b)The dried mud will brush off.
(c) Your shoes need polishing.
(d)You should brace yourself for the worst.
(e)That is being taken care of.
(f) The dog became confused by the loud noises.
4. Discuss what each of the following sentences shows concerning the formal expression of
the subjunctive.
Example: Heaven preserves us.
Answer: inflected subjunctive in main clause
(a)I suggest that she take another course.
-> Inflected subjunctive in dependent clauses (That-clause)
(b)If I were going, I could take you.
Inflected subjunctive in dependent clause (if-clause), modal auxiliary
(c) I was thinking of asking you to help.
Past tense used for polite request
(d)This might do the trick.
Modal auxiliary
(e)The news is probably bad.
-> Modal adverb
(f) You're right, I'm sure.
First-person parentheticals (Comment clause)
5. Identify the grammatical distinction exemplified by the underlined word or phrase and
explain its meaning.
Example: person: You never can tell.
Answer: 2nd person used for generic purposes
(a) case: genitive The building's collapse was impressive.
genitive case used for subjective purposes
(b) tense: present The moon circles the earth.
used for timeless statement
(c) aspect:perfect We have argued since we were children.
used for continuative purposes
(d) tense: future tense My parents are going to visit next weekend.
used for present intention
(e) definiteness: I wonder where the remote control is.
used for immediate context
(j) case: dative case You should have given Jack the opportunity to
answer.
dative case used for indirect object
(k) person: first She let me copy her class notes.
first person used as speaker
6. Identify the word class of up in each of the following.
( Your time is up. => adj
a
)
( She's in an up mood. => adj
b
)
( He upped the ante. => verb
c
)
( The balloons rose up into the sky. => adv
d
)
( The dog tore up the slipper. => prep- particle
e
)
( Life is full of ups and downs. => noun
f
)
( They live just up the street from us. => prep
g
)
7. Identify the word class of down in each of the following.
( Alex is feeling rather down today. => adj
a
)
( Would you write your address down for me?
b => particle
)
( On a dare, he downed the whole beer. =>
c verb
4
)
( That was a first down, wasn't it? => noun
d
)
( The computers are down today. => adj
e
)
( He ran down the stairs. => prep
f
)
( He looked down because he was
g embarrassed. => adv
)
5
Syntax 2: Phrases
1. Label the phrasal category of each underlined phrase. Then name its function.
Example: he gave the dog a hesitant, reassuring pat.
Answer: Category: NP: Function: iO
3. Determine the sentence pattern (clause structure/type) for each sentence given below.
7
1. The coach/ will offer/ free tennis lessons/ today at noon.
……S………V……………Od………………(Adv)……………………=> SVO
2. On Friday/ the judge/ gave/ the thief/ a five-year sentence.
…(Adv)………S………V……Oi……………Od……………… => SVOO
3. I / will be/ at the meeting/ tonight.
S…V…………Adv…………(Adv)………………………………=> SVA
4. Most women / consider/ Snodgrass / a handsome man.
……S……………V…………Od…………Co…………………=> SVOCo
5. Your approval/ would be/ nice.
……S……………V………Cs……………………………=> SVC
6. Masie and I/ talked/ on the telephone for four hours.
……S…………V…………(Adv)…………………………=> SV
7. The pie in the oven/ smells/ delicious.
…………S……………V………Adj……………=> SVC
8. Jackson/ was/ the most competent man/ in the company.
……S……V…………Cs…………………… => SVC
9. That young man/ will probably become/ a famous movie star.
………S…………………V…………………………Cs…………………=> SVC
10. Jim/ found/ your remarks/ outrageous.
S……V…………Od……………Co………………………=> SVOC
11. Ethan/ gives/ us/ piano lessons/ each Friday.
…S……V…..Oi………Od…………(Adverb)………………
SVOO……………………………………………………….
12. An inner circle of politicians/ made/ Matthews/ treasurer of the campaign.
……………S……………………V………Oi…………………Co………………………………………….
13. Children/ are/ often/ good judges of character.
……S…V…(adv)……………Cs…………………………………………………………………………….
14. The farmer/ at the roadside stand /gave/ me/ an extra ear of corn.
……S………………………………..V…...Oi……………Od…………………
SVOO………………………….
15. We felt at home during our visit. we were at home. SVA
S V Adv (Adv). => SVCs
16. The child behaved horribly in the store.
……S………V………(Adv)………(Adv)……………………SV
7
17. On his last trip to Russia in the spring, Hilda finally felt comfortable.
…………(Adv)………………(Adv)……S……(Adv)…V……Cs………………………SVC…………….
18. In another life I must have been a dancer.
……Adv..……S……….V……………Cs…………………………………=> SVC…………………
19. Upon his return, the people elected Jasper king of the entire country.
………Adv……………S………V…….Od…………..…Co………………=> SVOC…………….
20. My brother showed me the stream behind the wooded area.
……S…………V…...Oi…….Od…………………………………………=>SVOO……………….
21. You are very quiet today.
S V………Cs……………………………………………………………………………………………….
22. The personality test found Jenkins unsuitable for the position.
……………S…………V………O………Co……………………………………………………………….
23. After much deliberation, Millie bought the biggest car on the lot. postmodifier of N
…………………………….S……V……….O……………… ………………………………………….
24. Later, Smithers /became/ the most important person in his life.
…………S…………V…………Cs………………………………………………………………………….
25. The poor sailor was at sea for a year.
……S……………V……A……………………………………………………………………………….
26. Under most circumstances, we would be happy with your work. pC of A OP
…………..…………………….S………V……Cs……………………………………………………….
27. The professor considered the student a genius at mathematics.
………S……………V…………O………………Co……………………………………………………….
28. Ulcers give people pain.
…S……V……O……O…………………………………………………………………………………….
29. He waited in the rain for an hour.
S……V………………………………
30. During my teen years, I grew tall.
…………………………S…V…Cs………………………………………………………………….
31. On the Fourth of July, people in my neighborhood meet at the park for a picnic.
………………………………………S………………….V
32. He bought me a large jade pin for my birthday this year.
.S……V…..O…………O……………………………………………………………………………….
33. The squadron found the enemy formidable.
………S…………V………O…………Co………………………………………………………………….
34. Since last August I have been a member of that club.
………(Adv)……S……V…………………C…………………………………………………………….
35. Out of everyone in the room, Susan is by far the laziest.
……(Adv)…………………………S……V…………C……………………=> SVC
8
36. The rescue workers called George a hero for his actions.
…S……………………V………O…………Co…………=>SVOC.
37. The young woman defiantly put her books on the table.
………S………………………V………O………A…=> SVOA
38. The cornbread /tasted/ like mush.
…………S………V…………C……………………………………………=> SVC
39. Until 3 p.m./ Uncle George/ will be/ at the bank.
……(Adv)…………S……………V………A………………………………=> SVA.
40. At graduation, /Joe/ will officially become/ a pilot.
………(Adv)……S……………V…………………Cs……………………………=>SVC
9
Syntax 3: Types of clauses
1. Identify the type and function of each nonfinite clause.
I plan to make some Mint
Example: Juleps.
Answer: to make some Mint Juleps
Type: to-infinitive
Function: dO
(a) There was still one last task for him to achieve. modifier of task
Type: for-to-infinitive
(b) Anderson and his son had often talked about hiking to Shoshone Lake. object of
Preposition
Type: ing-participle
(c) We've had to hire people to answer the phones. Mod of people
Type: to-infinitive
(d) My parents asked me where to eat lunch. dO
Type: wh-infinitive
(e) The patient had earlier denied having been bitten or scratched by a cat. dO
Type: ing-participle
(f) A bank employee loudly turned down her application to open an account. comp of
application (SCV)
Type: to-infinitive
(g) Worried about his future, he went to college. aA
Type: -en participle
(h) Judging from the online photos, the place looked adorable. dA
Type: ing-participle
(i) He asked her what made her think she could paint. oC
Type: bare-infinitive
(j) Yet he remained committed to Irish republicanism. sC
Type: en-participle
(k) We think that's not the best idea, to raffle off guns. comp of noun ‘idea’
Type: to-infinitive
10
The news that he was cheating was real . news = he was cheating (SVC) comp of
(l) Half the money spent on a political campaign is wasted. mod of money
Type: en-participlem
(m Having been founded by the Saracens in the ninth century, Nettuno still attracts
) tourists. mod of Nettuno
Type: ing-participle
(n) Consumed by a sudden curiosity, Buridan follows. aA (or mod of Buridan)
(c) For them to lose their son was a great tragedy. subject
(d) Do we have the money to buy that car? mod of N
(h) I will write the manager to get my money back. Adjunct adverbial
3. Bracket the that-clause in each of the following and identify its function (Su, sC,
dO, comp of A, comp of NP, or eSu).
(a The employee complaint (that triggered the investigation) was
) retracted. Comp of NP
(b (That he is gone) seems unnatural. Su
)
(c My guess is (that he has a plan). sC
)
(d It was apparent (that the waiters know the kitchen and the wine list).
) eSu
(e She is confident (that the Sioux will one day own the Black Hills
) again). comp of A
(f) We know (it's created a tremendous amount of fear). dO
(j) It was outrageous (that they e-mailed those things here). eSu
12
(h) His opinion is that you should take another course after you have completed this
one.
(i) Unfortunately, we can't have our picnic if it rains tomorrow.
(j) He said he knew before he had completed the deal that he would be cheated.
(k) It is obvious to everyone that he has been telling the prosecutors lies.
(l) Can the absurd rumor that he will resign be true?
(m) Did he tell the premier that he shouldn't be nervous about the disclosures?
(n) Could the professor have said that the essay by Swift was ironic?
(o) He was upset by the announcement that the plane would be delayed.
(p) I will explain it to him that honest politicians are a rarity.
(q) Sherrill spread the news around the department that Sarah likes tofu.
(r) The owner said that you should use extreme caution when approaching the dog.
5. Identify the non finite in each sentence and state the functions.
(j) New York City's budget crisis appeared to have been settled. sC
13
Syntax 4: Types of sentences
1. Some of the following word groups are fragments while others are simple sentences.
Revise any fragment to make a complete sentence. If the word group is a simple
sentence, write "correct". No capital letters or end punctuation marks have been used.
Use subject-predicate units and complete thoughts to determine your answers.
- Đạt (1-6)
- Nhung (7-12)
- Trang (13-18_
- Quỳnh Anh (19-24)
- Lan (25-30)
1. after the tornado struck the small town fragment
After the tornado struck the small town, nothing was left standing.
2. please read the chapter on sentence analysis correct
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. they would like to collect money for the charity correct
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. because you know that I dislike peanut butter fragment
You know that I dislike peanut butter.
5. the older man walking down the stairs fragment
The older man is walking down the stairs.
6. whether we go to the zoo on Sunday or not
whether we go to the zoo on Sunday or not is none of your business.
7. the new idea created a buzz of excitement correct
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
14
8. for example, the public's interest in reality television -> fragment
=> For example, the public's interest in reality television has increased dramatically
9. does that tree ever grow pinecones -> correct
2. The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more
dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The
choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause or adverb clause.
(Châu Giang 1-5) (Duy 6-10) (Tâm 11-15) (Ly 16-20) (M.Phương 21-25)
1. John went to school, but James remained at home because he had a sore throat.
2. If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure that Joe has learned his lesson, but only time
will tell.
3. Those clouds promise rain; we should hurry before we get caught in a flash flood.
4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.
5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don't you recall?
6. Since we had gone only a mile from camp, we could return before dark, and we would not
become lost.
7. After the tornado had hit, my house was gone, but my neighbor's house was not touched.
8. Mary heard the frightening noise again, and the sound was one that would frighten the bravest
of people.
9. The route can be changed, but I know several people who will not like the change.
10. Dr. Mathews did what could be done, but it simply was not enough to save his life.
11. We enlarged our house, and after we had finished the work, we moved to Hawaii and never
returned.
12. The vacation should be restful, but many people take vacations that are never restful.
13. James said that will be enough, and everyone agreed.
14. Dad went fishing, but Mom stayed home because she wanted to be there when Terri arrived.
15. Rulon steered the jeep down the muddy road to the camp site, and then he discovered that it
was the wrong road.
16. I've just learned that our vacation plans must be changed; as a result, we'll leave later in the
month.
17. Older television sets had tubes; the newest models, which take less space, are digital
televisions.
16
18. My Uncle Al drove a snow-removal truck, and when there was a big snow storm, he would be
called to work at any time.
19. If you are an election judge, you distribute the ballots, and you count them after the polls close.
20. Many monuments are found around the White House, and foreign leaders who come to
Washington often visit them.
21. The doctor told us how we could revive a heart-attack victim, and she demonstrated it on a
dummy, me.
22. Jeff tried the new dance steps that had been demonstrated, and he mastered them quickly.
23. The bola is a rope which is used to catch animals; it has weights on the end of it.
24. Since he was entrusted with the secret, Fred became very serious, and he was no longer a
practical joker.
25. People need to be able to share their fears, frustrations, and joys, so it's important for
us to develop a network of people we can share our feelings with.
3. The following sentences are either a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex
sentence or a compound/complex sentence. Identify the sentences telling what kind
each is.
Nhóm 3
1-5: Mai Phương
1. Jim and his friend Ryan had planned to return to Canada. complex sentence
2. Although he searched everywhere, Curtis could find no trace of his shoes. complex sentence
3. Alaina wrote an original poem, and her mother corrected her spelling. compound sentence
4. The real story is that he was injured while he was hiking. complex sentence
5. None of the other jurors asked me to change my mind. complex sentence
6-10: Thu Uyên
6. Barbara and Jeanne whispered and giggled all night. simple sentence
7. That he is my cousin cannot be denied. complex sentence
8. The boy who is speaking is my brother, and he will be staying with us. compound-
complex sentence
9. I know you don't like him, but that doesn't matter. Compound-Complex sentence
10. The training rooms of these college athletes smell of grease and gasoline. simple
sentence
11-15: Hoa
11. Their tools are screwdrivers and spanners rather than basketballs and footballs.
simple sentence
12. This new brand of college athlete is involved in the sport of auto racing.
simple sentence
13. Most of the students are engineering majors, and they devote every minute of their
spare time to their sport.
17
compound sentence
14. Although the sport is new, it has already attracted six collegiate teams in the
Southeast.
complex sentence
15. The students work on special cars designed for their sport.
complex sentence
16-20: Hạnh
16. The cars are called Legends cars, models of Fords and Chevys from 1932 to 1934,
and they are refitted by the students with 1200 cc motorcycle engines. Compound
sentence
17. Although their usual speed ranges from 50 to 90 miles an hour, Legends cars can
move up to 100 miles an hour on a straightaway. Complex sentence
18. The Saturday morning races of the competing teams have attracted as many as 3,500
fans, but the students concede they are no threat to the nation's fastest growing sport
of stock car racing. Compound-Complex sentence
19. The house was destroyed in the fire, but the whole family was saved. Compound
sentence
20. Walking through the wood, he saw a fox that was following him. Complex sentence
21-25: Thảo
21. If I do not get this job, I will start a business. complex sentence
22. He said that he was so disappointed that he would not try again. complex sentence
23. The men who rule the world with their pens are mightier than those who rule the world
with their swords. complex sentence
24. The evil that men do lives after them. complex sentence
25. All that glitters is not gold. complex sentence
Nhóm 4
26 - 30: Hà Uyên
26. Neither the color nor the design of this cloth appeals to me. Simple sentence
27. Although we know the benefits of exercise, most of us don't know that a brisk after-
dinner stroll can help with digestion. complex sentence
28. Whereas learning about nutrition is not difficult, having the discipline to make wise
food choices is often a problem. complex sentence
29. Even though you can't always control your time, it will help you to set priorities and
make a daily To Do list. complex sentence
30. Unless you are willing to let others control your time, you must learn to politely
say no to other people's requests. complex sentence
30 - 34: Chi
18
31. Change your negative inner dialogue whenever you realize you are being too hard on
yourself complex sentence
32. So that you feel less stress and enjoy life more, develop your sense of humor.
complex sentence
33. Sit down with a piece of paper and create a plan for solving the problem when you find
yourself worrying over one.complex sentence
34. While there are many relaxation techniques, sitting quietly with your eyes closed and
taking a few deep breaths will quickly calm you.complex sentence
35. Cultivate a positive attitude, because it enables you to enjoy life more.complex
sentence
35 - 39: Thảo
36. I made an airplane out of stone. Simple sentence
37. I put a piece of cantaloupe underneath the microscope. Simple sentence
38. While fishing in the blue lagoon, I caught a lovely silver fish. Complex sentence
39. They say if you step on a crack, you will break your mother's back. Complex sentence
40. They just had a contest for scariest mask, and I was the wild and daring one who won
the contest for scariest mask. Compound- complex sentence
40 - 43: Nghĩa
41. My voice was raspy, rough, and cracked. simple sentence
42. I opened my eyes and looked up at the rain, and it dripped in my head and flowed into
my brain. compound sentence
43. They say that once in Zanzibar a boy stuck out his tongue so far that it reached the
heavens and touched a star, which burned him rather badly. complex sentence
44. I joke with the bats and have intimate chats with the cooties who crawl through my hair.
complex sentence
44-50: Bùi Huyền
45. The animals snarled and screeched and growled and whinnied and whimpered and
hooted and howled and gobbled up the whole ice cream stand. => simple sentence.
46. The antlers of a standing moose, as everybody knows, are just the perfect place to
hang your wet and drippy clothes. => complex sentence.
47. We'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, and we'll go where the chalk-white
arrows go. => compound-complex sentence.
48. I am writing these poems from inside a lion, and it's rather dark in here.
compound sentence
49. A piece of sky broke off and fell through the crack in the ceiling right into my soup.
simple sentence
50. The traffic light simply would not turn green, so the people stopped to wait as the traffic
rolled and the wind blew cold, and the hour grew dark and late. compound-
complex sentence
19
4. Identify each of the following sentences as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or
exclamatory.
Thùy Linh
1. "How beautiful a street is in winter!" exclamatory (How + adj / adv + S + V!: câu cảm
thán)
2. "Have the skillet hot and keep it well greased." imperative (câu mệnh lệnh trực tiếp
không có chủ ngữ)
3. "We boarded our train with feelings of unbounded relief." declarative
4. "Each cell measured about ten feet by ten and was quite bare within except for a plank
bed and a pot of drinking water." declarative
5. "Where were the blackbirds?" interrogative (câu hỏi trực tiếp, kết thúc bằng dấu
hỏi)
6. "Always obey your parents, when they are present." imperative (câu mệnh lệnh trực
tiếp không có chủ ngữ)
May
7. "The house was so big that there was always a room to hide in, and I had a red pony
and a garden where I could wander." Declarative
8. "Why does a funeral always sharpen one's sense of humor and rouse one's spirits?"
Interrogative
9. "How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company?" Exclamatory
10. "He was exceedingly poor, wearing only a ragged shirt and trousers." Exclamatory
11. "Quietly go in, sit down, look at your man until you have seen him enough, and then
go." Imperative
12. "I looked tired, but my complexion was good." Declarative
Hồ Quỳnh Anh
13. "She carried her spectacles on a gold chain hung around her neck." => declarative
14. "What was the connection between reading and learning?" => interrogative
15. "Is that all you want?" => interrogative
16. "Summer people move into the houses that had stood empty, unseen, and unnoticed
all winter." => declarative
17. "Have you ever considered leaving New York?" => interrogative
18. "The shacks were built of one thickness of pine planking covered with tarpaper." =>
declarative
Hiền Linh
19. "She had backed just halfway out of the garage when the engine died." =>
declarative
20
20. "Don't ask him the time." => imperative
21. "The old lady had already risen and placed a saucepan on the fire to prepare the
morning milk." => declarative
22. "I stopped on a rise and looked back at the valley, which was vanishing in purple
haze." => declarative
23. "Would I, filled with bookish notions, act in a manner that would make the whites dislike
me?" => interrogative
24. "I visited the spring often in those first years, and had friends there--a frog, a
woodcock, and an eel which had churned its way all the way up through the pasture
creek to enjoy the luxury of pure water." => declarative
25. "If we object to corporal punishment, and I assume we do, on what grounds is this
objection based?" => interrogative
21