Modern Grammar - Assignment 16 James Madison University

Instructions: This is practice with basic phrase structure rules for single clause sentences. It will be graded only as an acceptable or unacceptable effort.

1. Diagram each of the sentences below:
   
   1. The most difficult part of the puzzle was the middle.
   2. Children love clowns with red noses.
   3. Those two plants droop in dry weather.
   4. She handed the bomb to the police very carefully.
   5. The customers at the end of the line did not seem satisfied.
   6. Dozens of cheerful, multicolored ribbons were covering the ugly walls.
   7. The popular singer became overly confident about his musical talent.
   8. We have been sending you messages for hours!
   9. Unfortunately, finals are in three weeks.
   10. That famous actor grew up in Harrisonburg.
   11. In Mary's opinion, a woman's home is her castle.
   12. He might send flowers to his grandmother on Tuesday after class.
2. (Re-)read the discussion of "Trees and Ambiguity" on pages 217-218 in your text and then attempt to answer this question: Which one of the following ambiguous sentences is syntactically (aka structurally) ambiguous?
   1. They fed the ducks near the pond.
   2. Kids make nutritious snacks.
   3. Suzette took Clara to her doctor.