Basic English Grammar with Exercises

Test your knowledge

Exercise 4

Give the X-bar structure of the following sentences and explain how the DPs receive

thematic roles and Case.

(1) a John’s message arrived.

b David made the ball roll to the wall.

c David rolled the ball to the wall.

d John sank Jim’s boat.

e Jim’s boat sank.

f Jim’s boat was sunk.

g Bill caught a bird.

h The bird was caught.

i Sam coughed.

j John sent a message to Mary.

k Mary was sent a message.

l Jim took his shoes off.

m Jim took off his shoes.

n John thinks that Jim knows that Mary gave his book to Jane.