Hela Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Form and function of "by far"
Dear teachers,
How should I analyse "They are by far the best"? The pattern of the sentence is SVC or SV(A)C? Should it have 3 elements or 4? i.e.
They + are + by far the best OR They + are + by far + the best?
by far the best:
Parts of speech:
by= preposition
far = adverb
the = article / determiner
best = superlative adjective
Form 1: "by far the best" = prepositional phrase or adjective phrase?
Function 1: "by far the best" = complement ?
(Can a prepositional phrase function as a complement, i.e., a predicate adjective?)
or
Form + Function 2: by far = prepositional phrase = optional adverbial / the best = adjective phrase = complement ?
Thank you for your help.
How should I analyse "They are by far the best"? The pattern of the sentence is SVC or SV(A)C? Should it have 3 elements or 4? i.e.
They + are + by far the best OR They + are + by far + the best?
by far the best:
Parts of speech:
by= preposition
far = adverb
the = article / determiner
best = superlative adjective
Form 1: "by far the best" = prepositional phrase or adjective phrase?
Function 1: "by far the best" = complement ?
(Can a prepositional phrase function as a complement, i.e., a predicate adjective?)
or
Form + Function 2: by far = prepositional phrase = optional adverbial / the best = adjective phrase = complement ?
Thank you for your help.
Top answer
I think a case can be made for both interpretations. Hela Form 1: "by far the best" = prepositional phrase or adjective phrase? Phrasal predicate adjective.
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I think a case can be made for both interpretations.
HelaForm 1: "by far the best" = prepositional phrase or adjective phrase?Phrasal predicate adjective.
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