I am confused on my homework which is to name the function and the form in the sentence, the part in parenthesis. Do I have these right or wrong?
1)Biking is also a good reason for (visiting Oregon).
Form-gerund phrase
Function-direct object
2)I think that being (a doctor) would be exciting.
Form-noun phrase
Function-a subject
3)(To get into a good medical school) is not easy.
Form-infinitive phrase
Function-subject
#1 gerund is correct, the usage is incorrect.
2. noun clause not phrase, and it is not the subject.
#3 is correct.
Is this correct?
1. Function-subject complement
2. Function-appositive
1. No. Its function is as object of the preposition "for."
2. Are you sure only "a doctor" was the intended segment of the sentence you must analyze?
2. Yes, (a doctor) is the only part in parenthesis.
You have correctly identified the form and function for the first two sentences, but the third sentence needs some clarification. Let's go through each sentence and determine whether your answers are correct.
1) "Biking is also a good reason for (visiting Oregon)."
Form: Gerund phrase
Function: Object of the preposition "for"
Correct! In this sentence, "visiting Oregon" is a gerund phrase because it is a verb form (-ing form) that functions as a noun. It is the object of the preposition "for," indicating the purpose or reason for biking.
2) "I think that being (a doctor) would be exciting."
Form: Noun phrase
Function: Subject
Correct! In this sentence, "being a doctor" is a noun phrase because it consists of a noun ("doctor") along with its modifiers ("a"). It functions as the subject of the sentence, indicating what the speaker thinks would be exciting.
3) "(To get into a good medical school) is not easy."
Form: Infinitive phrase
Function: Subject
Your answer is partly correct, but the function needs correction. In this sentence, "(To get into a good medical school)" is indeed an infinitive phrase because it begins with the infinitive marker "to" and contains the verb "get." However, its function in the sentence is not the subject. Instead, it functions as the subject complement, explaining what "is not easy." The subject of the sentence is actually implied, which is "it," referring to the general idea or situation being discussed.
So, to summarize:
- Sentence 1: You got it correct.
- Sentence 2: You got it correct.
- Sentence 3: The form is correct, but the function is subject complement, not subject.