Basic English Grammar with Exercises

Exercise 9

will category: [+F, –N, +V]

subcat: [verbal]

get category: [–F, –N, +V]


-grid: <beneficiary theme>

subcat: [nominal]

a category: [+F, +N, –V]

subcat: [nominal]

very category: [+N, +V]

subcat: [adjectival]

expensive category: [–F, +N, +V]


-grid: <theme>

subcat: [∆]

present category: [–F, +N, –V]


-grid: <(agent) (beneficiary)>

subcat: [prepositional]

for category: [+F, –N, –V]

subcat: [nominal]

his category: [+F, +N, –V]

subcat: [∆]

birthday category: [–F, +N, –V]


-grid: <∆>

subcat: [∆]

Exercise 9

exp = experiencer; prop = proposition;

exp prop exp theme

(1) [Jack] thought [that [he] knew [the right answer]].

prop prop

(2) [One of the big parties] 1 seems [to be unlikely [to be

prop agent theme

believed [e 1 to win [the elections]]]].

agent theme beneficiary

(3) [John] gave [three red roses] to [Jane].

agent prop agent theme

(4) [The teacher] wanted [[the students] to pass [the exam]].