Basic English Grammar with Exercises

Test your knowledge

Exercise 3

Decide what the syntactic head of the following compounds is and where it is in the

structure. Comment on whether the meaning of the compounds may be composed of

the meanings of its elements.

(1) a passer-by f catwalk

b greenhouse g brother-in-law

c redneck h day job

d coffee table i double sheepshead knot

e attorney general j mousetrap

Exercise 4

Comment on how the Theta Criterion can account for the grammaticality or

ungrammaticality of the sentences below.

(1) a Peter drinks.

b *Peter Mary met John.

c *Peter met.

d *Peter gave Mary.

e *Peter gave flowers.

f *John put the book.

g *John put on the table.

h Peter wrote a letter to Mary.

i Peter wrote a letter.

j Mary washed.

k Mary wondered what the time was.

l That they stole the diamonds surprised the police.

Exercise 5

Compare the grammatical functions and theta roles of the DPs in the pairs of sentences

below. Comment on changes in either.

(1) a Peter gave Mary flowers.

b Peter gave flowers to Mary.

(2) a The postman delivered the letters.

b The letters were delivered.

(3) a That he left surprised us.

b It surprised us that he left.

(4) a Peter noticed the scar on her ankle.

b The scar on her ankle appeared small.

(5) a Mary is easy to please.

b Mary tries to please everybody.