CHAPTER4EXERCISE12MYERS

Chapter 4 Exercise 12

Using one or more of the constituency tests (i.e., stand alone, move as a unit, replacement by a pronoun) discussed in the chapter, determine which of the boldfaced portions in the sentences are constituents. Provide the grammatical category of the constituents.

a. Martha found a lovely pillow for the couch.

Stand alone, If asked what Martha found the response would be, “A lovely pillow”

b. The light in this room is terrible.

Move as a unit, “It is terrible light in this room.”

c. I wonder if Bonnie has finished packing her books.

Move as a unit, “Has Bonnie finished packing her books, I wonder.”

d. Melissa slept in her class.

Stand alone, If asked where Melissa slept the response would be “In her class.”

e. Pete and Max are fighting over the bone.

Replacement by a pronoun, “The dogs are fighting over the bone.”

f. I gave a bone to Pete and to Max yesterday.

Not a constituent.

g. I gave a bone to Pete and to Max yesterday.

Move as a unit, “Yesterday, Pete and Max were given a bone.”