Identifying Grammatical Functions Flashcards

In 'The news that she had won surprised everyone,' what function does the clause 'that she had won' serve?

Answer: Appositive clause modifying 'news'

The clause 'that she had won' is an appositive clause that explains or identifies 'the news.'

Which underlined word is functioning as a predicate adjective? A) 'She is a doctor.' B) 'He looks tired.' C) 'They bought groceries.' D) 'We ran fast.'

Answer: tired in B

'Tired' follows the linking verb 'looks' and describes the subject 'He,' making it a predicate adjective.

In 'Whoever finishes first will receive a prize,' what function does 'Whoever finishes first' serve?

Answer: Noun clause as subject

The noun clause 'Whoever finishes first' serves as the subject of the main verb 'will receive.'

What grammatical function does 'the championship game' serve in 'Winning the championship game was their goal'?

Answer: Direct object of 'Winning'

'The championship game' is the direct object of the gerund 'Winning' within the gerund phrase.

In 'The boy standing near the door is my brother,' what function does 'standing near the door' serve?

Answer: Participial phrase modifying 'boy'

The participial phrase 'standing near the door' modifies the noun 'boy.'

Identify the function of 'his ambition' in 'His ambition, to become an astronaut, drove every decision.'

Answer: Appositive renaming 'ambition'

The infinitive phrase 'to become an astronaut' is an appositive that renames and explains 'His ambition.'

In 'She works hard so that she can retire early,' what function does 'so that she can retire early' serve?

Answer: Adverb clause of purpose

'So that she can retire early' is an adverb clause indicating the purpose of her hard work.