english syntax

[ningshasha]

hi, may i know how to analyze copulas in these sententces using syntax:

e.g. 1. The room is wet.

2. he is buying some fruit.

how to analyze "is wet" and "is buying"? is that modification construction or complementation construction? thx.

[Fredson]

hi, may i know how to analyze copulas in these sententces using syntax:

e.g. 1. The room is wet.

2. he is buying some fruit.

how to analyze "is wet" and "is buying"? is that modification construction or complementation construction? thx.

1) wet describes the situation, the condition of the room which makes the is a copula. like in: "Mary is ill." wet is therefore the subject complement to the subject he.

2) whereas here, "is buying" is a full verb in present progressive tense followed by a direct object.

hope that helps. I'm not a teacher but english student!