5. Phrasal Units
Self-study Worksheet
1.Indicate the category of each word in the
following sentences.
a) That glass suddenly broke.
b) A jogger ran towards the end of the lane.
c) These dead trees might block the road.
a)
Det
N
Adv
V
That glass suddenly broke.
b)
Det
N
V
P
Det N
P Det N
A jogger ran towards the end of the lane.
c)
Det
A
N
Infl
V
Det
N
These dead trees might block the road
2. Each of the following phrases consists of a
specifier and a head. Draw the appropriate tree
structure for each example.
a) so bad
b) this house
c) quite cheap
d) never surrender
e) those books
a)
AP
Deg
A
so
bad
b)
NP
Det
N
this
house
c)
AP
Deg
A
quite
cheap
d)
VP
Qual
V
never
surrender
e)
NP
Det
N
those
books
3.The following phrases include a head, a
complement, and (in some cases) a specifier.
Draw the appropriate tree structure for each
example.
a) up the stairs
b) read a book
c) excited about the trip
d) in love with Lucy
e) perhaps earn the money
f) that argument with Owen
a)
PP
NP
P
Det
N
up
the stairs
b)
VP
NP
V
Det
N
read
a
book
c)
AP
PP
NP
A
P
Det
N
excited
about
the
trip
d)
PP
NP
PP
NP
P
N
in
love
P
with
N
Lucy
e)
VP
NP
Qual
V
Det
N
perhaps
earn
the
money
f)
NP
PP
NP
Det
that
N
argument
P
N
with
Owen
6. For each of the following words two potential
complement options are given. For each word,
determine which option is correct.
Verbs
expire
observe
a. 
b. NP NP
a. NP
b. PPto PPabout
discuss
a. NP
b. 
clean
a. NP PPfor
b. NP NP
Nouns
hammer
a. 
b. PPwith PPabout
success
a. PPof PPto
b. PPof
argument a. 
b. PPwith PPabout
Adjectives
sick
a. NP
knowledgeable a. PPto
small
a. PPof
b. PPof
b. PPabout
b. 
6.Identify the phrasal units in the following
phrases.
a message to the troops
S H
Comp.
worked for the party energetically
H
Comp.
Mod.
slept quietly by the window
Mod.
Mod.
H
stubborn about going abroad
Comp.
H
negotiates the proposal directly with the government
H
Comp.
Mod.
Comp.
Thank You!