SYNTAX
Tutorial-10
Reanalysis
I. Phrasal verbs
Tests
Front together
Cleft together
Replace together
Question together
Adjunct insertion
Front NP
Cleft NP
Change order
Adjunct PP
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
PP in VPphrasal
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Bracket VPs in the following sentences and indicate their structure. Using the eight
tests in the table above, decide on the structure of the italicized strings. Which of the
following sentences contain phrasal verbs?
1. She picked up the newspaper.
2. The Vicar prayed for peace.
3. Mary Ann arrived after breakfast.
Use the verb gapping test to determine whether the following sentence contains a
phrasal verb.
1. Mary threw out her old books and Bill threw out his old records.
II. Phrasal and prepositional verbs
Tests
Front together
Cleft together
Replace together
Question together
Adjunct insertion
Front NP
Cleft NP
Change order
PP in VPprepositional
yes
yes
no
no
yes
yes
yes
no
PP in VPphrasal
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
Which of the sentences below contain phrasal verbs and which prepositional verbs?
1. No one can account for William’s extraordinary behavior.
2. Mrs. Carey put on her nicest dress.
3. You can always rely on Philip.
III. Phrasal-prepositional verbs, and prepositional idioms
Two passives are allowed:
a. Everyone took advantage of her goodness.
b. Advantage was taken of her goodness.
c. Her goodness was taken advantage of.
<active>
<passive>
<passive>
Three possible structures:
a. [VP [V took] [NP advantage] [PPof her goodness]]
b. [VP [V took advantage] [PPof her goodness]]
c. [VP [V took advantage of] [NPher goodness]]
Try to passivise the following sentences and identify prepositional idioms.
1. Her mother took care of the baby.
2. The conference took place in a large country house.