Basic English Grammar with Exercises

Suggested Answers and Hints - Chapter 2

differences in how the structures can be passivised: in the double-object construction

only the indirect object can be passivised, if we want o passivise the direct object we

have to use the dative structure and express the goal argument in the form of a PP.

Q7 Substitution: if a constituent can be replaced with another constituent they

belong to the same constituent-type. E.g. pronouns are DPs and whatever pronouns can

substitute will also be DPs in the structure.

Coordination: only identical constituents (with the same function) can be

coordinated.

Movement: only constituents can undergo movement. E.g. the sentence *The

boy was seen with blue eyes by Mary is ungrammatical as the boy is not an

independent constituent in this sentence.

Exercise 1

S Æ DP VP

DP Æ D NP

NP Æ N S

VP Æ V VP

VP Æ V DP PP

PP Æ P DP

Exercise 2

a [S [DPthe postman] [VP lost [DP his key] [DP yesterday]]

b [S [DP the student [S [DP who] [VP has just passed [DP the exam]]]] [VP is [AP very

happy]]]

c [S [DP this theory [PP of [DP [DP language] acquisition]]] [VP is [AP easy [PP for [DP

students [S [DP who] [VP understand [DP mathematics]]]]]]]]

Exercise 3

a Only identical constituents can be coordinated. Here we have a DP coordinated

with a PP.

b Only constituents can undergo movement. Here whose is not a constituent, it

forms a constituent together with film, so they shouls move together.

c Pronouns, in spite of their name substitute full DPs, not only nouns. She in the

ungrammatical sentence could stand for the woman with long hair, it cannot be

understood as referring to woman only.

d Again, only constituents can undergo movement. The constituent that could be

moved in this sentence is the student of Physics.

e Identical constituents can be coordinated, but only if they have the same

function in the sentence. In this sentence the first PP is an instrument, the second

expresses manner.