Chapter 02-05: Phrases I – Analyzing Examples – ALIC

chapter 2: analyzing examples

The English language is messy, and many times analyzing for grammatical elements is not always as obvious as the simple examples that we use on the content pages. So to assist your ability to analyze all the different texts you may encounter as you read, we want to offer a few more sample analyses of more difficult texts.

For these more complicated examples, we review some or all of the key features discussed in Chapter 2. Please review these examples closely, trying to understand the choices made for the analysis. As always, if you have any questions, please ask your instructor or start a conversation in your work group.

Analyzing for Noun Phrases and MVPs – Example #1

Adapted from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

In the evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room. The loo-table, however, did not appear. Mr. Darcy was writing, and Miss Bingley, seated near him, was watching the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister.

For this example, we’ll analyze NPs and MVPs in the passage. Remember to pay attention to context, to who the words are “hanging out with”:

Noun Phrases

the evening – definite article + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition IN
Elizabeth – proper noun – nominal slot = subject (with JOINED)
their party – possessive determiner + noun – nominal slot = direct object of JOINED
the drawing-room – definite article + verb functioning adjectivally + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition IN
The loo-table – definite article + noun functioning adjectivally + noun – nominal slot = subject (with DID NOT APPEAR)
Mr. Darcy – proper noun – nominal slot = subject (with WAS WRITING)
Miss Bingley – proper noun – nominal slot = subject (with WAS WATCHING)
him – pronoun – nominal slot = object of the preposition NEAR
the progress – definite article + noun – nominal slot = direct object of WAS WATCHING
his letter – possessive determiner + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition OF
his attention – possessive determiner + noun – nominal slot = direct object of [WAS] CALLING OFF
messages – noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition BY
his sister – possessive determiner + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition TO

Main Verb Phrases

joined – past + JOIN = simple past
did . . . appear – present + modal (DID) + APPEAR = simple present
NOT can be included when listing the main verb phrase, but should not be considered as part of the analysis
was writing – past + BE + [-ing] + WRITE = past progressive
was watching – past + BE + [-ing] + WATCH = past progressive
[was] calling off – past + BE + [-ing] + CALL OFF = past progressive
The coordinating conjunction AND signals that this is a compound MVP with a common auxiliary (WAS), so should be identified as a past progressive.

Note on Other Verbs

drawing – This is NOT part of a main verb phrase. While it has the [-ing] inflection, it is not preceded by a BE auxiliary. More importantly, it is between a definite article and a noun, so is part of the noun phrase.
seated – The paired commas signal that this is not action, so this is a past participle, not a main verb. This past participle phrase is functioning adjectivally to modify MISS BINGLEY.

Analyzing for Noun Phrases and MVPs – Example #2

Adapted from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

I had talked with him a few times in the past month and found, to my disappointment, that he had little to say. So my first impression, that he was a person of some undefined consequence, had gradually faded and he had become simply the proprietor of an elaborate roadhouse next door.

For this example, we’ll analyze NPs and MVPs in the passage. Remember to pay attention to context, to who the words are “hanging out with”:

Noun Phrases

I – pronoun – nominal slot = subject (with HAD TALKED)
him – pronoun – nominal slot = object of the preposition WITH
a few times – indefinite article + indefinite determiner + noun – nominal slot = direct object of HAD TALKED
the past month – definite article + adjective + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition IN
my disappointment – possessive determiner + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition TO
he – pronoun – nominal slot = subject (with HAD)
my first impression – possessive determiner + ordinal determiner + noun – nominal slot = subject (with HAD GRADUALLY FADED)
he – pronoun – nominal slot = subject (with WAS)
a person – indefinite article + noun – nominal slot = subject complement

This noun phrase seems to rename the subject, so is best identified as a subject complement; however, BECOME also indicates an action whereby A PERSON could also be identified as the direct object of HAD BECOME
some undefined consequence – indefinite determiner + verb functioning adjectivally + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition OF
he – pronoun – nominal slot = subject (with HAD BECOME)
the proprietor – definite article + noun – nominal slot = subject complement
an elaborate roadhouse – indefinite article + adjective + noun – nominal slot = object of the preposition OF
next door – adjective + noun – nominal slot = appositive

Main Verb Phrases

had talked – past + HAVE + [-ed] + TALK = past perfect
found – past + FIND = simple past
had – past + HAVE = simple past

Remember, HAVE can also be a main verb.
was – past + BE = simple past

Remember, BE can also be a main verb.
had . . . faded – past + HAVE + [-ed] + FADE = past perfect
had become – past + HAVE + [-en] + BECOME = past perfect

BECOME can function as a linking verb or a transitive verb.

Note on Other Verbs

undefined – This is NOT part of a main verb phrase. Notice, in particular, that it is between an indefinite determiner and a noun, and that it is modifying the noun, so this is part of the noun phrase.

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