English Language Discussion Forums


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Quick Links
Sites for Teachers



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-Oct-2008, 11:09
ilikemilk
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
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.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2  
Old 04-Oct-2008, 12:35
Soup's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Country: Canada
Posts: 5,548
Current Location: Shanghai, China
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Soup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond reputeSoup has a reputation beyond repute
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>
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
clause, sentence analyses

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Example Sentences for English Words sonicstaars General Language Discussions 7 05-Oct-2009 17:30
The sentences above/below are correct user_gary Ask a Teacher 7 07-Jun-2009 07:12
Analysing Sentences edwinghansen Ask a Teacher 2 11-Jan-2008 08:51
analysing sentences adri Ask a Teacher 1 26-Jun-2005 04:22
What are loose sentences? Periodic sentences? RonBee General Language Discussions 6 01-Dec-2003 00:13


All times are GMT. The time now is 06:23.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2009 UsingEnglish.com