Modern Grammar - Assignment 14

James Madison University

Instructions: Find the answer to each of the questions below. You may decide for yourself whether or not to use the/syntax/">LLAMA-Syntax program. [The assignment will be marked only as an acceptable or unacceptable effort.]

  1. First, here's some more practice with noun phrases: What are the correct tree structures for the following noun phrases and what are the phrase structure rules needed to build these tree structures? (Make sure to keep an eye out for rules with quantifiers that you have on your list but haven't used yet.)

    1. my house by the shore
    2. both small problems
    3. several of the wonderful musicians
    4. much happiness
    5. himself
    6. angry bees
    7. all the pretty little horses
    8. the damaged corner on that portrait of their family


  2. Now, try to draw the correct tree structures for the following sentences, and list the phrase structure rules needed to build each tree. For sentences with verbs using VP rules you haven't seen before, the VP rule is provided.
    1. That amazing new novel is a bestseller. (VP --> V NP)
    2. Their friendly, old, adopted dog wagged its tail. (same VP rule as above)
    3. An enormous wave of relief washed over me.
    4. Your alibi seems shaky. (VP --> V AP)
    5. Many migrating birds from Canada landed.
    6. The zoo gave a stuffed armadillo to each child on the tour. (VP --> V NP PP)
    7. Aliens took us to their planet.(same VP rule as in the previous sentence)


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