Chapter 2 The Skeleton of the Message (Explanatory material)

Unit 4 

• 2.4.1 Bracket the non-essential constituents in the following clauses.
• 2.4.1 (2) ! Brain-teaser: Why does English have dummy subjects?

Unit 5

• 2.5.1 Identify the constituent that realises Subject function in each of the following clauses.
• 2.5.2 Apply the tag-question test for Subject in each of the above sentences.
• 2.5.3 Identify the constituent that functions as Direct Object.
• 2.5.4 Using anticipatory ‘it’, recast each sentence so that the clausal Subject or Object are at the end. 
• 2.5.5 Identify the constituent that functions as Indirect Object.
• 2.5.6 Identify the function of the italicised unit and say whether it is necessary or optional, and why.

Unit 6

• 2.6.1 ! Brain-teaser: Why can’t we say ‘Pick up it’? (back)
• 2.6.1(2) Identify each of the following combinations as a phrasal verb or a prepositional verb.
• 2.6.2 Fill the blanks with a suitable preposition.
• 2.6.3 Give a non-stranded version of these and comment on the naturalness of them.