Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
To-infinitive/Full-infinitive as subject/object...
Hi,
How would I grammatically deconstruct the following sentence?
Melinda wanted to know how long the trip would take.
I may be WAAAAY off the mark but this is my attempt:
A) Melinda is the subject.
B) wanted is the main (transitive) verb.
C) to know is the object, even though it is actually a (full-infinitive) verb.
D) how long the trip would take is the "object of the object" and is an indirect question [Object, Subject, Verb]. In a direct question form it would be the trip would take how long [Subject, Verb, Object], take being a transitive verb for which how long functions as a pronoun, e.g., for 30 minutes.
If the above analysis is correct, what would you call D) the "object of the object"?
Thanks in advance to the linguistic geniuses out there.
X.
How would I grammatically deconstruct the following sentence?
Melinda wanted to know how long the trip would take.
I may be WAAAAY off the mark but this is my attempt:
A) Melinda is the subject.
B) wanted is the main (transitive) verb.
C) to know is the object, even though it is actually a (full-infinitive) verb.
D) how long the trip would take is the "object of the object" and is an indirect question [Object, Subject, Verb]. In a direct question form it would be the trip would take how long [Subject, Verb, Object], take being a transitive verb for which how long functions as a pronoun, e.g., for 30 minutes.
If the above analysis is correct, what would you call D) the "object of the object"?
Thanks in advance to the linguistic geniuses out there.
X.
Top answer
Offhand, I think your analysis is about right. How long the trip would take is usually called a verb complement. How long is not a pronoun, but an adverb of degree.
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Offhand, I think your analysis is about right. How long the trip would take is usually called a verb complement. How long is not a pronoun, but an adverb of degree.
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hello!
Can you explain me.
What is Finite and Non Finite verb Phrase & Tell me the of F.V and N.F.V Phrase?
Oh!
I you one more question.
What is Finte Verb?
Can you explain me.
What is Finite and Non Finite verb Phrase & Tell me the of F.V and N.F.V Phrase?
Oh!
I you one more question.
What is Finte Verb?
00
A finite verb is a verb that sets the action somewhere in time (past, present or future). A non-finite verb's action cannot be located in time (without reference to a finite verb somewhere in the context).
A verb phrase is a verb containing several verb pieces.
Finite verb phrase: I have been dancing all night.
Nonfinite verb phrase: Having danced a
A verb phrase is a verb containing several verb pieces.
Finite verb phrase: I have been dancing all night.
Nonfinite verb phrase: Having danced a
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