Questions tagged [syntax]
This tag is for questions regarding the rules for the formation of sentences.
330
questions
0
votes
2answers
18 views
wash the dishes ; a phrase?
I don't know either the following constructions are a phrase or a clause?
1) wash the dishes
2) do the laundry
3) take out the garbage
In my opinion, they are all phrases or verb phrases ...
0
votes
1answer
13 views
Is over here/ over there preposition?
I wonder if my knowledge is right regarding the following phrases being prepositions:
i) over here
ii) over there
Both having the same construction= over (preposition) + here/there (adverb)
...
-1
votes
1answer
28 views
Syntax of a clause in Wikipedia's entry on “Irish Bulls”
What's the syntax of the clause in bold?
Extensive use of Irish bulls are made of by American Jewish humorists,
from the period when large numbers of recent Jewish immigrants from
Germany or ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
What does “to shout over” mean, particularly as it has been used in a particular passage I’ve read with curious sytnax?
I don’t understand the meaning of shout over as it has been used
in the following passage
from Patricia Highsmith’s novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley:
A well-dressed Italian greeted ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
A question regarding the verb — would like+ to-infinitive
I appreciate if someone can help me in clarifying my doubt.
I(subj) + would (modal verb)+ like(verb) + to eat (main verb (to-infinitive))+ rice (obj)
Are the classes correct?
Thanks!
0
votes
1answer
38 views
The subject in “How much information is created daily?”
How much information is created daily?
If the subject is only implied in this sentence, why do we need the auxiliary verb (is) in this sentence?
0
votes
1answer
13 views
Which sentence structure is correct/better and why? Please explain
I have applied for admission to post-graduation course at a few universities.
I have applied at a few universities for admission in post-graduation course.
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Is it correct that we use “be” instead of “do” after “would”?
for example in the following sentence she can not do any useful thing.
She wouldn’t be any help, would she?
Is it true that we can not use "do" after "would"?
0
votes
1answer
39 views
Grammar of the Openings in Fairy Tales [duplicate]
Which is better in terms of grammar and why, I wonder?
Once upon a time lived King and Queen...
Once upon a time there lived King and Queen...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
to watch me play - what rules are here
Here is an excerpt from The Art of Learning:
More and more fans came to my tournaments to watch me play and get autographs.
My questions is should not it be:
either More and more fans came to my ...
3
votes
2answers
47 views
Not repeating the negation for the second clause
On world building meta I came across this sentence:
Now I truly believe that those that ask in this manner are not actually lazy and just expect us to do their work for them.
How is this sentence ...
0
votes
2answers
28 views
Syntax of “There they all were, talking about homework and Quidditch and who knew what other rubbish”
Hermione ripped open the newspaper and began to read the report inside while Harry looked around the Great Hall. He could not understand why his fellow students were not looking scared or at least ...
4
votes
1answer
151 views
The meaning of the “at the of”
In the following article by The Telegraph:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2387900/New-man-at-the-of-IMG.html
I stumbled upon the following phrase (in the title of the article):
"New man at the of ...
1
vote
1answer
15 views
Subject complement or prepositonal object
In this sentence:
" This is an adventure to me"
/an adventure to me/ is the subject complement.
I'd like to know the function of " to me" . Is it a post modifier of " adventure"? Or is it a prep. ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
What structure is that - “They are getting more and more applicants wanting to join them”
In this structure:
"They are getting more and more applicants wanting to join them".
What is that? Is it the participle? Is it the "get sb doing" clause?
0
votes
2answers
56 views
The grammar of “be buried”
What is the grammar of "be buried" in the following sentences?:
The graves have all been found under the houses, right under the
floors. And it may be this burial custom that explains why the ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
The relation between direct and indirect speech
‘Mary, I want to take you out to dinner,’ he had lied, to break the
frost.
I would like to know what is the syntactic relation between the direct and indirect speech - whether there is any kind of ...
0
votes
1answer
212 views
What is name of structure Being + v3
I went to the hospital and I saw a patient being treated last night.
What kind of sentence it is being treated in the above sentence.
2
votes
2answers
39 views
Have got usage question
Consider this:
We have got to go back
- Luke Skywalker in Star Wars V
I don't think it is actually present perfect usage but certainly used like that syntactically. It is more like simple ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
How can I formulate this sentences correctly?
How can I formulate this sentences correct?
Singular
We do have an employee which is call John Doe.
We do have an employee which is called John Doe.
Plural
We do have employees, ...
0
votes
0answers
36 views
What sentence pattern is this?
I like living in the country.
Is it Subject - Verb - Object - Adverbial of place OR Subject - Verb - Object - Postmodification of living realized by a prepositional phrase?
Thanks.
4
votes
2answers
50 views
The grammar of “struck dumb, sprouting feelers” in this sentence
Harry was pointing the wand directly at Dudley's heart. Harry could feel fourteen years’ hatred of Dudley pounding in his veins—what wouldn't he give to strike now, to jinx Dudley so thoroughly he'd ...
1
vote
3answers
73 views
What clause element is this please?
When she got into the car at five, ready for the fifteen-mile drive across London, it wouldn't start.
What does this stretch of language represent? Is it an adverbial?
1
vote
2answers
48 views
Can somebody explain the grammar of this sentence?
"Looking at the first and second stages of the process, there are three ways of collecting data."
I saw this sentence in an IELTS diagram report but im not sure of the grammar.
Do we have a reduced ...
4
votes
2answers
479 views
How to understand “…you like it the shape it is”
Fred and George looked at each other. Then Fred said abruptly, “I've told you before, Ron, keep your nose out if you like it the shape it is. Can't see why you would, but -”
I don't know how to ...
1
vote
1answer
20 views
Structure of “need something back”
What is the structure of the following sentence?
I need my history book back.
What is the grammatical role of the word "back"?
1
vote
1answer
29 views
What is the grammatical role of the word “either” in the following sentence?
What is the grammatical role of "either" in the following sentence:
Nevertheless, a goal is seldom destroyed by a delay, so don't destroy
your positive attitude, either.
0
votes
2answers
37 views
Should grammar be tweaked to fit in a fixed phrasing?
Problem 1
The same can be applied with larger units in the article, be it sentences or paragraphs.
Should the nouns after "be it" must be singular? Because the phrase is "it", then I guess they ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views
How to identify a matrix clause (a clause with an embedded subordinate clause)?
I am trying to understand matrix clauses. Today at the lecture, two sentences were discussed, of which one contains a matrix clause and one does not. I'm going to post them here:
He knew ...
0
votes
3answers
46 views
Repetition of a proper noun in journalism
In a recent article about a youtuber named Felix Kjellberg (also known as Pewdiepie), I came across this sentence:
In Kjellberg's most recent edition of Pew News, a semi-satirical series where ...
0
votes
2answers
47 views
“at least for” is considered under what syntactical feature? [closed]
It was love at first sight, at least for the wide-eyed young teen Elizabeth
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Do these three sentences have the same meaning?
"I didn't ask about this", "I didn't ask this question", "I didn't ask this" - do these three versions have the same meaning amd are correct in a situation when I want to say that it wasn't me who ...
0
votes
3answers
145 views
Any problem with 'Who did open the door?' Justify please
Anyone seeing any problem with:
Who did open the door?
vs.
Who opened the door?
Do both convey same message?
0
votes
2answers
32 views
When does the plural have to be used for words for numbers like “millions”?
For example, I understand in English I have to say 100 million persons. But the word "millions" also exist. In Spanish I would have to use the plural for million in the first sentence. Then when the ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Can I place a restrictive relative clause before a noun that it modifies?
Can I place a restrictive relative clause before a noun that it modifies?
For example, can I re-write the following sentence
This is an adverb that is usually emphasized by being placed at the
...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Does using two synonyms together always assert the meaning of the word?
Does using two synonyms together always assert the meaning of the word?
I come across this a lot while reading.
The skin was like faded parchment with an arrangement of puckers and
wrinkles ...
18
votes
5answers
3k views
Grammar behind “Whatever what is is is what I want.”
Here is the poem:
Prayer, by Galway Kinnell
Whatever happens. Whatever
what is is is what
I want. Only that. But that.
I came across this poem as an interesting example of English grammar ...
2
votes
1answer
111 views
Why can't we use “almost” and “quite” together? (My textbook says we can't)
I came to know that "almost" and "quite" are not used together. But I don't get the reason why these two words can't be together.
In my textbook, it's written that quite and almost both are adverbs ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
The Color Purple
Is 'the color purple' a syntactically sound sentence? Or would 'the purple color' be a more standard version. I'm basing this on the fact that adjective-noun order seems a more acceptable syntax.
4
votes
1answer
369 views
This is often vs This often is
Is it correct to write
This often is done for something.
rather than
This is often done for something.
1
vote
1answer
33 views
“Buffeted in squealing protest”
THE STAINS OF RUST SEEMED TO MAP BLOOD SEAS ON THE BLACK, pocked surface of Mock's Vane. A century old, it squatted on the point of an old pike that had been bolted to the outer top of the Hold's wall....
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Why so many verbs in this sentence in the published book?
There is a bird on the lawn that I think must be a nightingale come over on the Cunard or White Star Line.
(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, emphasis added)
Isn't it better to write "there ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
What do native speakers think of when they are speaking? [closed]
I know this question might seem somehow ridiculous to you or silly. You may ask me why don't answer these questions by thinking of what you do in your native language. The thing is that I didn't want ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
The usage of the “the”
Which of the following is grammatically correct:
"Other cell products may depend on concentrations of ... ?"
"Other cell products may depend on the concentrations of ... ?"
If both are, is there ...
0
votes
2answers
76 views
“According to information obtained by the website 'Syrian correspondent' that a meeting…”
According to information obtained by the website "Syrian correspondent" that a meeting chaired by the head of air force intelligence, Major General "Jameel al-Hassan" on Friday, July 27 and included ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
the Victorians believed characteristic of Catholicism
The Swallow's persistent evocation of Egypt and its exotic and imaginative landscape is also central to his link with Catholicism. His psychic connection to the warm climes of the Middle East seem to ...
3
votes
2answers
126 views
Is Master Yoda's english correct?
In the Star Wars film franchise, Master Yoda has a very peculiar english syntax. For example, instead of saying:
The mind of a child is truly wonderful.
You will not look as good when you ...
3
votes
1answer
575 views
Is it grammatically incorrect to say “I speak a bit German”?
Do they all mean the same?
I speak a bit German
I speak a little bit of German
I speak German a bit.
I speak some German.
I speak a little German.
I have been told 1 is incorrect.
I am trying to ...
1
vote
1answer
531 views
Can “too” be in the middle of the sentence?
I was told in the past, that "too" (=also) unlike "also", should be in the end of the sentence only ("I want too to go there." or "I too went there"). Today I read an article in which they put "too" ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
What type of construction is “In came I. I. Chundrigar…” where a preposition “in” is placed before the verb “came”?
In the red-marked line i.e.
In came I.I. Chundrigar, a Bombay barrister, to join the Mad Hatter's dance.
See preposition "In" is placed before verb "came".
What types of syntax is it and what is ...
