Identifying Grammatical Functions Flashcards

In 'There are three options available,' what grammatical function does 'There' serve?

Answer: Expletive (dummy subject)

'There' is an expletive that fills the subject position while the true subject 'three options' follows the verb.

Identify the function of 'whose argument was flawed' in 'The philosopher whose argument was flawed later revised it.'

Answer: Relative clause modifying 'philosopher'

'Whose argument was flawed' is a relative (adjective) clause modifying the antecedent 'philosopher.'

In 'She asked whether the report was ready,' what function does 'whether the report was ready' serve?

Answer: Noun clause as direct object

The noun clause 'whether the report was ready' is the direct object of the verb 'asked.'

What function does 'a celebrated architect' serve in 'Frank Lloyd Wright, a celebrated architect, changed American design'?

Answer: Appositive renaming 'Frank Lloyd Wright'

'A celebrated architect' is an appositive phrase that renames the proper noun 'Frank Lloyd Wright.'

In 'He studied hard, hoping to pass the exam,' what function does 'hoping to pass the exam' serve?

Answer: Participial phrase modifying 'He'

'Hoping to pass the exam' is a participial phrase that modifies the subject 'He,' indicating his state while studying.

Which sentence uses a noun clause as a subject complement (predicate nominative)?

Answer: The truth is that she lied.

In 'The truth is that she lied,' the noun clause 'that she lied' follows the linking verb 'is' and renames 'the truth.'

In 'They painted the walls white,' what grammatical function does 'white' serve?

Answer: Object complement describing 'walls'

'White' is an object complement that describes the result of the action on the direct object 'walls.'