#1  
Old 04-Oct-2008, 12:09
ilikemilk
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Post Analysing sentences

Hello, I need help! This is my main sentence (analysed on the clause level):

It was claimed that only man could use language as a medium of communication.

So far I have this suggestion:

It - Anticipatory subject
was claimed - verb
that - direct object
only man - indirect object
could use - verb
language as a medium of communication - adverbial? subject predicative?

I am stuck. I suppose I am thrown by the length of the sentence.

And what happens if we put 'the' in the sentence?

It was claimed that only the man could use the language as a medium of communication.

I appreciate any help!
- Anja.
  #2  
Old 04-Oct-2008, 13:35
Soup's Avatar
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Default Re: Analysing sentences

With anticipatory constructs the true subject (also known as the notional subject) comes after the verb:
Ex: That only Man could use language as a medium of communication was claimed (by...).

Subject
Verb
It <subject>
was claimed <verb>
that ... <object; notional subject>
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