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#1
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| I'm studying how to analyse sentences in my grammar course at the university, and I was given a homework. I needed to analyse a whole text, and identify simple, compound and complex sentences. and then if it is complex I have to divide it into an adverb, adjective or noun clause. I analysed the text with no problem except for one sentence. Here it goes: "Only a little tired of myself", replied Estella, freeing her arm, and moving to the chimney piece, where she stood looking down at the fire. I'm really confused with this one. I hope you can help me !, Thanks ! |
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#2
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| Quote:
In my opinion this is a complex sentence. Complex sentences describe more than one thing or idea and have more than one verb. They are made up of more than one clause : an independent clause[it can stand by itself] and a subordinate clause[ which cannot stand by itself]. Let`s take your example: "Only a little tired of myself" - noun clause [ I am not sure] .........replied Estella,..-main clause freeing her arm - subordinate clause[ adverbial clause of manner] and moving to the...- subordinate clause[adverbial clause of manner] where she stood ..- subordinate clause of place If we take "while freeing her arm, and moving ....", then we have 2 subordinate clauses of time. I`d like to see some experts` advice. All the best. |
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#3
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| "Only a little tired of myself" is an adjectival clause. It describes how Estella is feeling. ~R |
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#4
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| Additionally, ellipsis is the key: Ex: (I am) only a little tired of myself, replied Estella, ...The speaker, Estella, has omitted (...) the subject-verb pair I am: “What!” said Miss Havisham, flashing her eyes upon her, “are you tired of me?” |
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#5
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| Thank you Casiopea and RonBee. I still have a question if you don`t mind : [I am ] Only a little tired of myself -is this sentence an independent one? can it be taken that way? The question word we can use here is : What did Estella reply? She replied , [she was] Only a little tired of herself. Is this sentence still an adjectival clause ? I don`t know how to ask the question by which I can state the subordinate clause Only a little tired of myself. Thank you. Last edited by Teia; 18-Aug-2007 at 20:54. |
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#6
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| "I am only a little tired of myself" can certainly be an independent clause (sentence). Did I answer your question? |
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#7
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| Quote:
Ex: She replied, "Only tired of myself." Quote:
#1 Adjectival: I am only tired of myself.Which meaning do you think Estella intended? |
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#8
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| Quote:
Thank you. Last edited by Teia; 19-Aug-2007 at 21:56. |
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#9
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| Yes, you did. Thank you very much RonBee. |
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