Questions tagged [syntax]
This tag is for questions regarding the rules for the formation of sentences.
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2answers
38 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
29 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
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1answer
40 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
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2answers
34 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 ...
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0answers
27 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
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0answers
27 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
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2answers
35 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
56 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
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2answers
41 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
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2answers
466 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
18 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
21 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.
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2answers
31 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
53 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
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3answers
38 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 ...
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2answers
39 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
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1answer
27 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 ...
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3answers
62 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
30 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
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1answer
19 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
59 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
47 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
51 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.
2
votes
1answer
52 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
26 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....
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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
71 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
13 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
54 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
53 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
98 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
176 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 ...
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0answers
58 views
Identifying clauses in “It's hard to get what it takes”
I'm not sure if I'm getting this right..
It's hard to get what it takes
what it takes: an interrogative content clause functioning as the object of the verb "to get"
To get: a verb phrase (or ...
1
vote
1answer
231 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
79 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 ...
1
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2answers
136 views
“Bring me the phone” instated of saying “Bring the phone to me”
What's more natural for the native English speakers ear?
"Bring me the phone please"
"Bring the phone to me please"
My doubt with the first sentence (bring me...) which can sounds a little ...
0
votes
2answers
23 views
To solve a complex problem, there is always a simple way which everyone can understand
The sentence is:
To solve a complex problem, there is always a simple way which everyone can understand.
Do you think that this sentence is grammatically OK?
Why I am asking it is because I would ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
some money to use for poor people [closed]
I have some money in my bank account to use for poor people.
That's my sentence. The part at the end (to use for poor people) is intended to refer back to "some money".
The intended meaning is:
...
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4answers
1k views
What is difference between “be known as” and “be known to”?
What is difference between "be known as" and "be known to"?
I think the meanings are same.
is there any difference in usage or syntax..?
0
votes
1answer
65 views
My English professors' opinions about infinitive clauses(to do smt..)
My English teachers(Canadian and British) said:
"We usually use infinitive clauses in order to define nouns, however,
it doesn't mean that they can never be separated from each other.
...
0
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0answers
19 views
Some opportunities to get a better education exist
My English teachers said that changing the position of an infinitive may not change anything.
Example,
Some opportunities to get a better education exist.
Some opportunities exist to get a better ...
2
votes
3answers
40 views
omitting “ourselves”
This sentence is from TOEFL.
We all tended to take these places for granted, but I do not know what we would have done to entertain ourselves without them.
(for the context, these places refers ...
1
vote
1answer
271 views
please not VS please don't VS please not to [closed]
Please not tell me.
Please don't tell me.
Please not to tell me.
Are they all proper English,
which should be preferred?
0
votes
2answers
97 views
The wallet (which was) stolen is mine
Are any of these grammatically incorrect?
‡The wallet which was stolen is mine.
‡The stolen wallet is mine.
‡‡The wallet stolen is mine.
the one I quoted with ‡‡ is the sentence that my university ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Is it okay to drop “as” in the following constructions?
(As) a sixth grader, I didn't want to step on any of the bigger kids' toes.
(As someone who was) known for being unforgiving and imposing, she didn't seem to have it in her to back down from the ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
How to understand the statement “Edited that in.”
From the post's comment
A: OP’s question is about void main() and void main(void) rather than int main() and int main(void).
B: oh, I totally missed that, thanks. Edited that in.
I guess "...
0
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0answers
18 views
In the sentence, Jon started his team two players short against Eric
Jon started his team two players short against Eric.
This is my analysis of the above sentence.
Jon (Subject), started (Verb), his team (Object), two players short (Objective Complement), against ...
0
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1answer
34 views
Does non-restrictive relative clause modify only obeject
https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/164712/35099 ,@djna taught me about non-restrictive relative clause. Now I meet a more complex one:
Spark acquires executors on nodes in the cluster, which are ...
0
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1answer
37 views
judge which phrase the clause refer to
I read the sentence
The driver process runs your main()
function, sits on a node in the cluster, and is responsible for
three things:...
I am not sure
sits on a node in the cluster
...
