Diagramming Longfellow

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Frank Antonson

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The news that mentioned earlier to Kondorosi is that there is now an American website dedicated to diagramming. Elizabeth O'Brien administers it.
Since it's based in the USA, I thought I would go to an American poet, Longfellow. (I think the English appreciate him, however, because I am quite sure that there is a bust of him (or at least a plaque) in Westminster Abbey's poet's corner.
Here's the website:
forum.english-grammar-revolution.com • View forum - Sentence Diagramming
 

Kondorosi

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You agree with the "as fast as an ostrich" sentence click here?

I prefer mine better:

fastas.gif


The first 'as' is an adverb modifying 'fast'; the second 'as' is a conjunction.
 

Frank Antonson

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No, I say that "as...as" is a correlative conjunction and both belong on the same line modifying "fast".
 

Kondorosi

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:hi:

Correlative conjunctions always join grammatically equal elements (e.g., noun & noun, adjective & adjective, phrase & phrase, clause & clause, etc.

He can run as [fast] as [an ostrich]

fast = adj.
an ostrich = noun

adj. ≠ noun --> as ... as ≠ correlative conjunction

:argue:
 

Frank Antonson

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"As fast as an ostrich can run fast". Two clauses are being joined.
 

Kondorosi

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1. He can run as [fast] as [an ostrich can run].
2. As [he can run fast] as [an ostrich can run].
3. As [fast he can run] as [an ostrich can run].

I think the first 'as' is solely attached to 'fast'.

This is what you like, right?

89671359.gif
 

Frank Antonson

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No, I would attach the first "as" to fast.
Let me diagram it. Give me a minute.
 

Kondorosi

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:hi:

Again. What are the comparative constituents in the sentence? (adv. & adv.)

[He can run fast] and [an ostrich can run fast]

Is the first fast "bigger" or the second? as ... as --> same.

asasasas.gif


Your as ... as, Frank, does not appear to be a correlative conjunction, because in your diagram it connects an adverb (fast) to the understood verb (x x) in the subordinate clause. In all modesty, my diagram is superb.
 

Frank Antonson

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Yes, once again, you are right, you superb diagrammer.

The line should have been connected to the second understood "fast" (as you did it). You may not believe this, but I wondered if you would catch that. (Though I did not make the mistake intentionally -- I just thought of it later. )
 

Frank Antonson

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By the way, I looked into whether or not there is an acknowledged thing called a "correlative adverb". I am still not sure. There is not doubt that "as...as" is correlative, and there is no doubt that it is joining, but is it not acting as an adverb? Frankly, I don't know.
 

Frank Antonson

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Also, I would not only call your diagram superb; I would call it "superber" than mine. And, what modesty??
 

Kondorosi

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By the way, I looked into whether or not there is an acknowledged thing called a "correlative adverb". I am still not sure. There is not doubt that "as...as" is correlative, and there is no doubt that it is joining, but is it not acting as an adverb? Frankly, I don't know.

:hi:

1. He can run as fast as he.
2. It is far from Swe to USA.

I call these correlative structures. Correlative adverbs, correlative prepositions. Correlative means they have a structurally parallel relationship and neither of the correlated parts can exist alone.

Diagram the second sentence. ;-)
 

Frank Antonson

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Kondorosi

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Thanks, Frank. I agree. The correlation is denoted by the broken line joining the prep. phrases together under the base line. :up: There is an element of cohesion between these prepositions. They can't live their lives alone because distances have a starting point and an end point.

EDIT: What does that x on the slanted line stand for?
 

Frank Antonson

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"the" modifying "distance"

I think you have discovered "correlative prepositions". House and Harman make no mention of them.
 

Kondorosi

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"the" modifying "distance"

I think you have discovered "correlative prepositions". House and Harman make no mention of them.

Or make mention of them otherwise. :multi:

House and Harman puts me in mind of Harman /Kardon. :) I had a Harman/Kardon home cinema amplifier once (not a Mark Levinson quality).

No532_3-4.jpg


Mark Levinson -- more expensive than an Enzo Ferrari. :)
 

Frank Antonson

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You have just used language that I do not understand. But it sounded impressive -- an accurate.
 
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