SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES, CHAPTER 6

Word Class Exercise

Below are solutions to the exercise along with justification (form and co-occurrence evidence) for each
solution. If, after studying the evidence, you dont understand any of the solutions, be sure to ask.
plich: adverb

klirt: preposition

fesk: noun

borf: determiner

wusk: adjective

foft: verb

reest: pronoun

hirk: verb

Well start with the easier ones, and by identifying them, we make identifying some of the of the more
difficult ones easier (examples cited in the explanations are underlined in the story):
FOFT must be a verb because it is inflected for tense (see line 5 for an example)
HIRK must also be a verb for the same reason (see line 9 for an example)
WUSK must be an adjective because it is inflected for comparison, specifically the superlative (see line
10)
FESK must be a noun because it is inflected for number (see line 8 and note that this cant be a third
person singular verb form because the verb are is already there)
BORF must be a determiner because it always occurs before a noun and it cant be an adjective because
it appears before an adjective and a noun (see line 12)
KLIRT must be a preposition because it always appears shortly before a noun, but often with a
determiner in between (see line 4)
REEST must be a pronoun because it is frequently used as the subject of a verb (see lines 7 and 8, for
example), but we never see a number inflection for it
PLICH must be an adverb because it never changes its form and because it moves around so much
from sentence (between a pronoun and verb in line 7, and sentence initial in line 11)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

According to unnamed sources, borf fesk was caught in the act of soliciting a prostitute near his
home last night. Borf report hirks that at approximately 11:15 PM, borf fesk approached an undercover
officer and asked if reest could take her home. Borf officer immediately slapped borf fesk klirt a
citation and called for back-up. Borf officer hirks that while waiting for borf back-up, borf fesk fofted
her by plich calling her names and threatening her. Borf fesk, however, denied that he fofted borf
officer. Reest hirked that reest was wusk klirt borf way reest had been entrapped by borf officer. Borf
fesk denied any wrong-doing in borf incident. Reest hirked that reest plich speaks to people reest meets
and that sometimes this friendliness is misinterpreted. Reest added that fesks are bound by their duty to
borf country to serve, not exploit, people. Borf fesk then hirked that although borf arrest was
upsetting, reest was wuskest about borf fact that borf officer declined to use handcuffs, despite repeated
requests. Plich, such force is used, authorities hirk, but in this case, it was not warranted
Editors note: After borf arrest was made, borf brave officer that made the collar was rewarded by her
commanding officer.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 42

Word Class/Sentence Type Exercise

Using the abbreviations below, identify the word classes (parts of speech) in each of the sentences
below. Also determine the sentence type of each (simple, coordinate or complex).
aux = auxiliary
adv = adverb
N = noun
adj = adjective
V = verb
Q = quantifier
det = determiner (article/demonstrative/pronominal determiner)

P = preposition
pro = pronoun
cc = coord. conjunction
sc = subord. conjunction

det
N
V
det N
1. The player choked his coach. (simple)
det
2. My

adj
N
V det
N
cc pro
I
favorite athlete is a murderer, but

det N
3. The fans

V
sc
think that

V
love

pro
him. (coordinate)

det
N
V
N
their heroes are thugs. (complex)

de
N
V
det adj
N
adv
4. Our police caught the reckless driver quickly. (simple)
det
N
V
adv
P det
N
5. His account grew significantly after the verdict. (simple)
Q
N
V
sc
6. Some superstars think that
pro
V
sc
7. I
believe that
sc
8. If
det
9. The

pro
he

pro
he

aux
V
should take

det N
cc V
the money and run. (complex)

aux
V P N
sc pro
V
P N
should rot in jail unless he apologizes to PJ. (complex)

pro
V
N
pro
he wants sympathy, he

aux V
N
P
should go home to

det
N
his mother. (complex)

adj
N
adv
V
adj
apologetic player hardly looks sincere. (simple)

N
V
P
N
sc
N
V
pro
adv
10. Chads hang from ballots if voters punch them incompletely. (complex)
det
N
V
pro P adj
N
cc pro V pro P det N
11. The election exposed us to new words, but it bored us in the end. (coordinate)
Q
N
V
12. Some voters want

adj
special

N
P
consideration for

det
N
their handicaps. (simple)

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 43

Q
13. Many

N
voters

V sc
pro V Q
N
P det
N
felt that they had no representation in the election. (complex)

det
N
aux
V
det
adj
N
P det
adj
N
14. The government might revise the electoral process after this absurd debacle. (simple)
det
N
P det
N
V det
N
P
Q
N
15. The population of the country rode the roller-coaster for several weeks. (simple)
pro V
det
N
cc pro V
P det
N
P det
N
16. I exercised my rights and I voted for the candidate of my choice. (coordinate)
N
V
adj
cc
V
N
P det N
17. Dubya remained confident and achieved victory in the end. (simple)
det
N
V
N cc det
N
V
P
N
18. The people preferred Al, but the election went to Dubya. (coordinate)
Q
19. Many

adj
N
V
N P
angry analysts accused Jeb of

pro
V sc det
N V P det
20. They say that the spoils go to the

adv
adj
very unscrupulous

N
acts. (simple)

N
cc pro V
P
winner and I agree with

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 44

pro
them. (complex/coord.)

Passivization

active:

[real life subj.]

We
can create

[real life object]

passive sentences

with great ease.

[real life object (NP)] [to be verb] [past participle] [by phrase]
be
created
by me with great ease.
passive: Passive sentences can
active: Every teacher should understand the concept of passive verbs.
passive: The concept of passive verbs should be understood by every teacher.
active: Elementary school textbooks use this concept with frequency.
passive: This concept is used with frequency by elementary school textbooks.
or
This concept is used by elementary school textbooks with frequency.
active: Writers should use passive constructions in certain situations.
passive: Passive constructions should be used by writers in certain situations.
or
Passive constructions should be used in certain situations by writers.
active: Many teachers of rhetoric have criticized overuse of passive constructions.
passive: Overuse of passive constructions has been criticized by many teachers of rhetoric.
active: No one can deny the usefulness of this particular construction.
passive: The usefulness of this particular construction can be denied by no one.
active: You should complete this exercise with great care.
passive: This exercise should be completed by you with great care.
or
This exercise should be completed with great care by you.
active: You will learn many important things from this exercise.
passive: Many important things will be learned by you from this exercise.
or
Many important things will be learned from this exercise by you.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 45

Beginning Syntax Trees

S
NP
PP

VP
NP
NP

det
The

N
proposition

P
on

det
the

N
ballot

V
confused

det
the

N
voters.

S
VP
NP
PP

PP
NP

det
The

N
team

P
from

NP

N
Timbuktu

V
loses

P
with

N
dignity.

S
VP
NP

NP
PP

PP
NP

N
Teachers

P
of

NP

N
Linguistics

V
love

N
examples

P
about

N
Timbuktu.

S
NP

VP
PP

PP
NP

det
The

N
mayor

P
of

det
this

NP
N
city

V
befuddled

det
the

N
jury

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 46

NP
P
with

det
her

N
evidence.

Advanced Syntax Trees

S
VP
EC
NP

S
PP

VP

NP
Q
All

NP

NP

NP

N
P
N
V
N
SC
det
N
V
pro
students in America love Linguistics because the subject amuses them.

S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP
PP
NP

NP

pro
We

V
believe

SC det
that this

NP

N
class

V
N
teaches topics

P
of

adj
N
great importance.

S
VP
EC
NP

S
PP

VP
NP

det
The

N
coach

P
with

det
the

N
injury

NP
V
cuts

det
N
his players

NP
SC Pro
if
they

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 47

NP
V
choke

Pro
him.

S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP
Q

NP
N

adj

sc pro

NP
aux

adj

NP
N

Some people feel happy if they can draw syntactic trees with no trouble.
S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP
Q

NP

adj

sc

pro

NP
V

adj

Other people become ebullient after they solve several phonological problems.
S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP
PP
NP
pro V

NP
sc

NP
V

NP
P

I think that Linguistics provides students with

many

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 48

hours

of happiness.

S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP

NP

N
Beans

V
cause

adj
painful

NP
N
gas

sc
if

pro
you

NP
V
eat

NP

pro
them

P
in

adj
large

N
quantities.

S
S
S

VP
NP
VP

NP
N
Tyson

PP
NP

V
has

Q
many

NP

N
supporters,

NP

cc pro
V det
but he has the

N
mind

P det
of an

N
imbecile.

S
VP
NP
PP
NP
det
N
V det
adj
The coach put the childish

PP
NP

N
player

P
det
with a

NP

adj
N
P det
N
bad attitude in his doghouse.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 49

S
VP
EC
S
NP

VP
PP
NP

NP

NP

NP

det

det

det

adj

SC

det

adj

The

chef

donned

the

hat

with

the

puffy

top

when

his

best

customer

det

requested

adj

tasty

S
NP

VP
PP

PP
NP

NP

det

adj

det

The

sinewy

governor

of

Minnesota

bodyslammed

the

adj

helpless

*interpretation A: in his office is where the bodyslamming took place

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 50

NP
N

det

lobbyist

in

his

office.

morsel.

S
VP
NP

NP
PP

PP
NP

NP

det

adj

det

The

sinewy

governor

of

Minnesota

bodyslammed

the

adj

helpless

det

lobbyist

in

his

office.

*interpretation B: the lobbyist who is currently in his office is the one he bodyslammed
S
VP
EC
S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP
N

Bart

NP
V

punched

Milhouse

NP
P

det

in

the

NP
N

face

SC

because

NP

pro

he

thought

SC

that

Lisa

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 51

NP
V

kissed

det

the

adj

nerdy

fellow.

Grammatical Relation Practice

NP
The proposition on the ballot
the ballot
the voters
The team from Timbuktu
Timbuktu
dignity
Teachers of Linguistics
Linguistics
examples about Timbuktu
Timbuktu
the mayor of this city
this city
the jury
her evidence
All students in America
America
Linguistics
the subject
them
We
this class
skills of great importance
great importance
The coach with the injury
the injury
his players
they
him
some people
syntactic trees
they
no trouble
other people
they
several phonological problems
I
Linguistics
students
happiness
many hours of happiness
Beans
painful gas
you
them
great quantities
Tyson
many supporters
he
the mind of an imbecile
an imbecile
The coach
the childish player with a bad attitude
a bad attitude
his doghouse
the chef
the hat with the puffy top
the puffy top
his best customer

grammatical relation
subject
object of a preposition
direct object
subject
object of a preposition
object of a preposition
subject
object of a preposition
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
object of a preposition
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
object of a preposition
direct object
subject
direct object
subject
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
object of a preposition
direct object
subject
direct object
subject
direct object
Subject
Object of a preposition
Subject
Subject
direct object
subject
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
object of a preposition
subject
direct object
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
direct object
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
object of a preposition
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 52

a tasty morsel
the sinewy governor of Minnesota
Minnesota
the helpless lobbyist
his office
the helpless lobbyist in his office
Bart
Milhouse
the face
he
Lisa
the nerdy fellow

Direct object
subject
object of a preposition
direct object (interpretation A)
object of a preposition
direct object (interpretation B)
subject
direct object
object of a preposition
subject
subject
direct object

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 53

Phrase Structure Practice

choices:

NP

VP

PP

EC

<none>

VP
S
NP
V

VP

VP

det adj

NP

EC

NP

sc
pro V det N
9. although he likes the class

1. tasted the juicy apple

NP

NP
det adj

2. an evil serpent

NP

det N

10. loves linguistics the man

PP

none

S
NP

P det

NP

NP

adj

PP

3. in the huge cavern

VP

N
V adj
11. homework is fun

PP
NP
V

NP

det N

4. wrote at home a letter

none

adj

NP

12. some smelly children

EC

PP
S

NP
VP

NP

NP

sc pro aux

PP

EC

V det N

P det

5. if I could write a book

PP

NP
N

13. for the love of linguistics

VP

S
NP
NP
det

VP

PP

adj

NP
V

6. this guy is strange

14. drinks large cans of beer

NP

NP
adj

adj

VP

7. utter foolishness

NP

det adj pro

none

15. a crazy it
EC

NP

S
NP

cc

det N

8. and this time

none

sc

det

VP
V

16. when the bell rings

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 54

EC

Even More Syntax Tree Practice

S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP
det adj

NP
N

det

NP
N

sc

NP

pro

det

NP

adj

pro

A sad man lost his girlfriend when she discovered the good life without him.

S
S
S

VP
VP

PP

NP

NP

det

This

man

det

NP

adj

became a jealous

cc

NP

pro

NP

pro

stalker and he trapped

P det

himself in

chimney.

S
S
S

VP
VP

NP
det

PP
NP

det

NP
N

cc

det

NP
N

det

NP
N

pro

The guy wanted his belongings but the chimney presented a problem for him.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 55

S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP

NP

PP
NP

pro

det

adj

det

He

gave

bogus

story

to

the

NP

police

sc

pro

when

they

NP
V

questioned

NP

pro

det

adj

him

about

his

bizarre

actions.

S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP

NP

det

His

girlfriend

requested

PP
NP

NP

NP

NP

det

adj

det

sc

pro

pro

protective

order

from

the

court

after

he

stalked

her

on

several

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 56

occasions.

S
VP
EC
NP

S
PP

PP
NP

det

det

VP

NP
N

det

NP
N

det

NP
N

sc

det

NP
N

pro

A reporter from the newsroom interviewed

the man in the jailhouse after the cops arrested him.
***This sentence is potentially ambiguous; I have interpreted it to mean that in the jailhouse is where he was interviewed.
S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP

NP
PP

PP

NP

NP

det

The

fool

aux

will

V det

get

sentence

of

many

NP
N

years

sc

unless

pro

he

NP
V

det

hires

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 57

lawyer

adj

with

exceptional

skills.

Subcategorization Exercise
Note that the data here represents just a few of the many possible sentences that could be used to arrive
at the same conclusions. I also acknowledge that there might be possible conclusions other than the
ones Ive come to. If you subcategorize any of the verbs differently, you may be right. Bring your
data with you to class and we can discuss it.
work
He works the late shift. I can work a backhoe. TRANSITIVE
He works at 7-11. I work in the morning. INTRANSITIVE
drop
Freddie dropped the ball. The network dropped the lame program. TRANSITIVE
The tests scores dropped. The temperature dropped to 27 degrees. INTRANSITIVE
give
I gave the idea to my students. I gave a gift to my teacher. DITRANSITIVE
Some people give blood regularly. TRANSITIVE
I give to many charities. I gave at the office. INTRANSITIVE? (direct object may be implied)
feel
I felt the texture of the wall. He felt the lump on his head. TRANSITIVE
I feel sick. He felt foolish for a minute. LINKING
communicate
He communicates his ideas effectively. TRANSITIVE
I will communicate your concerns to the manager. DITRANSITIVE
I can communicate with my vocal cords. INTRANSITIVE
speak
Dikembe speaks many languages. I speak English. TRANSITIVE
I will speak before you. Can I speak to the manager? INTRANSITIVE
open
He opened the wound. I opened the door. TRANSITIVE (in a strange way)
The flower opened. The store will open in a minute. INTRANSITIVE

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 58

Transformation Practice Exercise

Theme: Test #3
1. surface: What could our teacher ask us on this test?
deep: Our teacher could ask us what on this test. (wh- movement, subj/aux inversion)
2. surface: Should we study for this test which he will give to us?
deep: We should study for this test.....He will give this test to us.
(wh- movement, subj/aux inversion, relative clause)
3. surface: Will you know the questions that will be on the test?
deep: You will know the questions......The questions will be on the test.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause)
4. surface: Why will you disregard the test that we must take?
deep: You will disregard the test why......We must take the test.
(wh- movement, subj/aux inversion, relative clause)
5. surface: When should we buy the scantron sheets which the teacher requires?
deep: We should bring the scantron sheets when....The teacher requires the scantron sheets.
(wh- movement, subj/aux inversion, relative clause)
6. surface: Can we get a good grade if we produce an effort that is sub-par?
deep: We can get a good grade if we produce an effort.....An effort is sub-par.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause)
Theme: Hanging chads
These are tough ones (hint: beware the complex sentence....)
7. surface: What can a voter do when chads hang from the ballots that he submits?
deep: A voter can do what when chads hang from ballots....he submits ballots.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause, wh- movement)
8. surface: How should voters clear the dimples after they make them?
deep: Voters should clear the dimples how after they make them.
(subj/aux inversion, wh- movement)
9. surface: Where should voters file complaints if they have problems that are festering?
deep: Voters should file complaints where if they have problems....problems are festering.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause, wh- movement)

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 59

10. surface: What will the chads say when they face the voters whom they frustrated in November?
deep: The chads will say what when they face the voters....they frustrated the voters in November.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause, wh- movement)
11. surface: How can voters trust the ballots after they see the dimples that the ballots left them with?
deep: Voters can trust the ballots how after they see the dimples....the ballots left them with dimples.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause, wh- movement)
12. surface: What will Dubya do if the governor redesigns that ballot that the people had trouble with?
deep: Dubya will do what if the governor redesigns the ballot...people had trouble with the ballot.
(subj/aux inversion, relative clause, wh- movement)

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 60

That Exercise
A. Classifying that
NP
PP
NP
det
N
P
N
1. That class in Linguistics is my favorite class.
S
VP
NP

NP

pro V
det
adj N
2. I took that great class and I learned useful things.
word class: determiner
S
VP
NP

NP

pro V det adj

N
3. That is a great idea. [compare with *The that is a great idea]
S
VP
NP

NP

pro V
pro
4. I like that. [compare with *I like the that]
word class: pronoun

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 61

S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP

NP

NP

pro V
sc
N
V det adj
N
5. I think that Linguistics is a cool subject.
S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP

NP

NP

pro
V sc
Q
N
aux
V
N
6. We feel that every student should take Linguistics.
word class: subordinate conjunction
S
VP
NP ****non-canonical NP****
S
VP
NP

NP

NP

pro V
N
RP
V
pro
7. I like classes that challenge me.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 62

S
VP
NP ****non-canonical NP****
S ****non-canonical S****
VP
NP

NP

pro
V
det
8. I
aced the

N
class

NP

RP
that

det
my

N
counselor

V
recommended.

word class: Relative Pronoun

****Note that in these two sentences, there have been transformations; this is indicated by the noncanonical phrase structure. In the first sentence, there is a relative clause transformation; this is what has
caused a sentence to be embedded within an NP (hence, the non-canonical NP). In the second
sentence, we also see a relative clause transformation which has resulted in another non-canonical NP.
In this sentence, there has also been wh-movement of the relative pronoun that, which resulted in the
non-canonical sentence.
B. Tree practice using that
*Note that each asterisk (*) indicates a non-canonical structure
S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP*
S
VP
PP
NP
pro
V
I believe

NP
sc
that

NP

pro V det
N
RP
that is an issue that

NP

NP

V
N
P
N
causes problems for people.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 63

deep structure:
S
VP
EC
S
VP
NP

NP

NP

pro
V
I believe

sc pro V
that that is

det
an

N
issue.........

S
VP
PP
NP
det
...an

NP
N
issue

V
causes

NP

N
problems

P
for

N
people.

S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP*
S*
VP
NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

PP*

det
N
V
sc pro aux
V
P Q
N
RP pro V
pro
P
That student thinks that he can respond to any situation that he finds himself in.
Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 64

deep structure:
S
VP
EC
S
VP
PP
NP

NP

NP

det
N
V
sc pro aux
V
P
That student thinks that he can respond to

Q
N
any situation....

S
VP
PP
NP
pro
...he

NP
V
finds

pro
himself

NP
P
in

Q
any

N
situation.

Relevant Linguistics Practice Solutions 65