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Nouns and Noun Phrases

49 questions

All types49Multiple choice25Matching13Fill in the blank11
Question 1Question →

Consider the sentence below:

'The university governing council declared the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor's ten-year strategic development plan a masterclass in sustainable administration during the press briefing.'

What is the exact syntactic function of the bolded noun phrase *'a masterclass in sustainable administration'* in this sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

The bolded noun phrase functions as an object complement.
The phrase 'a masterclass in sustainable administration' functions as an object complement because it follows the direct object ('the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor's ten-year strategic development plan') and completes the predicate after the complex transitive verb 'declared'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and its clause structure
The main verb is 'declared', which is a complex transitive verb requiring both a direct object and an object complement.
Complex transitive verbs (such as declare, consider, make, call) take a direct object followed by an element that describes or renames that object.
2
Identify the direct object of the verb
The noun phrase 'the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor's ten-year strategic development plan' receives the direct action of 'declared'.
This noun phrase is the entity being declared.
3
Analyze the role of the bolded noun phrase following the direct object
The noun phrase 'a masterclass in sustainable administration' completes the meaning of the direct object by expressing an essential property attributed to it.
A noun phrase that predicates a quality or identity of the direct object is an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases: Object Complement
Question 2Question →

Read the sentence below and answer the question that follows.

The university governing council unanimously declared Dr. Evelyn Olayemi [the principal architect of the new academic curriculum].

What is the syntactic function of the bracketed noun phrase in the sentence above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

Object complement
The correct answer is 'Object complement' because the noun phrase 'the principal architect of the new academic curriculum' follows the direct object ('Dr. Evelyn Olayemi') and completes the predicate of the complex-transitive verb 'declared' by supplying the official role assigned to that object.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clause structure and identify the main verb.
The main verb is 'declared', which is a complex-transitive verb requiring both a direct object and an object complement.
Complex-transitive verbs cannot stand with only a direct object without leaving the clause predicate incomplete.
2
Identify the noun phrase receiving the direct action of the verb.
'Dr. Evelyn Olayemi' is the direct object of the verb 'declared'.
She is the person being designated by the governing council.
3
Determine the grammatical relationship between the direct object and the bracketed noun phrase.
The bracketed phrase 'the principal architect of the new academic curriculum' defines and completes the role attributed to the direct object.
A noun phrase that renames or characterizes a direct object following verbs of declaring, appointing, or electing functions as an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases: Object Complement
Question 3Question →

In the sentence, 'The university senate considered the newly appointed registrar, a seasoned academic administrator with decades of public service, a formidable candidate for the position,' what is the syntactic function of the noun phrase 'a formidable candidate for the position'?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

Object complement
In complex transitive clause structures (verbs such as consider, appoint, elect, declare), the verb takes a direct object followed by an object complement. The noun phrase 'a formidable candidate for the position' defines the role attributed to the direct object 'the newly appointed registrar', making its syntactic function an object complement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main verb and sentence predicate structure
The main verb 'considered' is a complex transitive verb, which requires both a direct object and an object complement to complete its meaning.
Identifying the transitive nature of the verb dictates the structural roles available for subsequent noun phrases.
2
Differentiate between appositives and required complements
'The newly appointed registrar' is the direct object, followed immediately by the parenthetical appositive 'a seasoned academic administrator with decades of public service'.
Separating non-essential explanatory noun phrases isolates the core clause elements.
3
Evaluate the relationship between the target phrase and the direct object
The noun phrase 'a formidable candidate for the position' defines the property or state ascribed to the direct object by the senate.
A noun phrase that completes the sentence by describing or renaming the direct object functions specifically as an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases (Object Complement vs. Appositive)
Question 4Question →

Examine the noun phrase below:

'the international task force's latest recommendations concerning regional economic integration'

Which word functions as the primary head noun of this entire noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: recommendations

Answer

The primary head noun of the noun phrase is 'recommendations'.
The word 'recommendations' is the primary head noun because it forms the structural core of the entire noun phrase. The pre-modifying possessive phrase ('the international task force's') and adjective ('latest') modify 'recommendations', while the post-modifying phrase ('concerning regional economic integration') complements it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the full boundary of the noun phrase and its internal components
The phrase is 'the international task force's latest recommendations concerning regional economic integration'.
Analyzing phrase structure requires isolating pre-modifiers, the central core, and post-modifiers.
2
Separate pre-modifiers from the central noun element
'the international task force's' is a possessive noun phrase acting as a determiner, and 'latest' is an adjective pre-modifier.
Determiners and adjectives modify the head noun that follows them.
3
Separate post-modifiers from the central noun element
'concerning regional economic integration' is a participial prepositional phrase post-modifying the central noun.
Post-modifiers provide restrictive or descriptive details about the head noun.
4
Determine which noun receives the pre- and post-modifications
The word 'recommendations' is modified both by who issued them ('the task force's') and what they pertain to ('concerning regional economic integration').
The head noun is the core element that can substitute for the entire noun phrase in a clause.

Key Concept

Head Noun Identification in Complex Noun Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 5Question →

The investigative panel submitted a comprehensive report containing several valuable ______ regarding the breach of security protocols at the international airport.

Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: pieces of advice

Answer

pieces of advice
The term 'advice' is an uncountable noun in English grammar. It cannot take the plural inflectional suffix '-s' nor can it be directly modified by the indefinite article 'an'. To indicate plurality or multiple instances with a quantifier like 'several', English requires a plural partitive noun structure such as 'pieces of advice'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the noun category of the word required in the blank.
The target word 'advice' is a non-count (uncountable) mass noun in Standard English.
Uncountable nouns cannot be directly pluralized with an '-s' suffix nor preceded by the indefinite article 'a' or 'an'.
2
Evaluate the determiners and quantifiers modifying the blank.
The word preceding the blank is 'several', requiring a plural countable structure.
Because 'several' requires a plural noun count structure, a partitive noun phrase like 'pieces of' is needed to quantify the mass noun.
3
Select the option that maintains the base form of the uncountable noun while providing plural partitive quantification.
'pieces of advice' correctly uses the plural partitive 'pieces of' while keeping 'advice' uninflected.
This complies strictly with standard English noun morphology rules.

Key Concept

Countability and Partitive Noun Quantification
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 6Question →

Consider the following sentence:

*'The newly installed solar-powered water purification plants in the remote border communities have significantly reduced waterborne diseases.'*

Which word functions as the structural head of the subject noun phrase in this sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: plants

Answer

The word 'plants' is the structural head of the subject noun phrase.
In the complex subject noun phrase 'The newly installed solar-powered water purification plants in the remote border communities', the noun 'plants' is the principal element (head noun). All preceding words ('newly installed', 'solar-powered', 'water purification') act as pre-modifiers, while the prepositional phrase 'in the remote border communities' acts as a post-modifier. Removing the modifiers leaves 'The plants... have significantly reduced waterborne diseases', showing that 'plants' controls the plural verb 'have'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate the complete subject noun phrase of the sentence.
The subject noun phrase is 'The newly installed solar-powered water purification plants in the remote border communities'.
Everything preceding the auxiliary verb 'have' forms the complete subject noun phrase.
2
Analyze the structural modifiers within the subject noun phrase.
'The newly installed solar-powered' is a complex adjective modifier, 'water purification' consists of noun adjuncts (pre-modifiers), and 'in the remote border communities' is a prepositional phrase (post-modifier).
Distinguishing pre-modifiers and post-modifiers isolates the central element being described.
3
Identify the primary element that dictates subject-verb concord.
The plural noun 'plants' governs the plural auxiliary verb 'have'.
The structural head noun is the essential noun that carries the syntactic weight and determines grammatical agreement with the main verb.

Key Concept

Identification of the head noun in multi-modified noun phrases
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 7Question →

In the sentence, 'The board of directors named the lead researcher the most outstanding innovator of the decade for her groundbreaking work in renewable energy,' what is the syntactic function of the bolded noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

Object complement
The option specifying 'Object complement' is correct because the verb 'named' is a complex transitive verb that takes 'the lead researcher' as its direct object and 'the most outstanding innovator of the decade' as an object complement that renames and completes the sense of the direct object.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure and primary verb of the sentence.
The subject is 'The board of directors', the verb is 'named', and the direct object receiving the action is 'the lead researcher'.
Determining the core grammatical elements establishes how subsequent constituents function relative to the verb and object.
2
Analyze the relationship between the verb, the direct object, and the target bolded noun phrase.
The verb 'named' is a complex transitive verb that requires both a direct object ('the lead researcher') and a secondary phrase to define or complete the title/identity assigned to that object.
Complex transitive verbs (such as name, call, elect, consider, make, appoint) take an object complement to complete their meaning.
3
Classify the syntactic role of the bolded noun phrase.
The phrase 'the most outstanding innovator of the decade' characterizes and completes the direct object, functioning specifically as an object complement.
A noun phrase that follows a direct object and renames or modifies that object under the governing verb is syntactically an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic functions of noun phrases: Object complementation
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 8Question →

In the sentence, 'The environmental agency designated the newly reclaimed wetland a protected sanctuary for migratory birds', what is the grammatical function of the bolded noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

The bolded noun phrase functions as an object complement because it completes the meaning of the direct object 'the newly reclaimed wetland' following the complex transitive verb 'designated'.
In English grammar, verbs such as 'designate', 'appoint', 'elect', and 'consider' take a direct object followed by an object complement. Here, 'the newly reclaimed wetland' is the direct object, and 'a protected sanctuary for migratory birds' is the noun phrase functioning as the object complement that describes what the wetland has become.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and its basic argument structure
The verb is 'designated', which is a complex transitive verb requiring both a direct object and an element that renames or defines that object.
Determining verb transitivity reveals what structural components must follow.
2
Identify the direct object of the sentence
The noun phrase 'the newly reclaimed wetland' functions as the direct object.
This is the entity receiving the action of being designated.
3
Analyze the relationship between the direct object and the bolded noun phrase
The phrase 'a protected sanctuary for migratory birds' renames the direct object and completes the clause predicate.
A noun phrase that renames or describes a direct object after a complex transitive verb functions syntactically as an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases: Object Complement
Question 9Question →

The board members designated Mrs. Adeleke the managing director during yesterday's meeting. What is the syntactic function of the bolded noun phrase in the sentence above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement of the verb 'designated'

Answer

Object complement of the verb 'designated'
In English grammar, complex transitive verbs such as 'appoint', 'elect', 'make', and 'designate' take a direct object followed by an object complement. In this sentence, 'Mrs. Adeleke' is the direct object and 'the managing director' functions as the object complement because it renames and describes the post assigned to the direct object.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core verb and direct object in the sentence.
The verb is 'designated' (a complex transitive verb) and the direct object is 'Mrs. Adeleke'.
Determining the verb type helps establish how surrounding noun phrases interact grammatically.
2
Analyze the relationship between 'Mrs. Adeleke' and the bolded phrase 'the managing director'.
'the managing director' provides necessary information identifying the attribute/role assigned to the direct object 'Mrs. Adeleke'.
A noun phrase following a direct object that describes or renames that object performs the syntactic function of an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases: Object Complement
Estimated Time:45s
Question 10Question →

In the sentence below, what syntactic function does the bolded noun phrase perform?

"The board of directors declared the company's chief financial officer a visionary leader following the successful restructuring."

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

The bolded noun phrase functions as an object complement.
The phrase 'a visionary leader' functions as an object complement because it follows the complex transitive verb 'declared' and completes the predicate by describing the new status assigned to the direct object ('the company's chief financial officer').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the clause structure and main verb
The main verb is 'declared', which is a complex transitive verb requiring both a direct object and an element that completes the meaning of that object.
Determining verb transitivity reveals what structural elements must follow.
2
Identify the direct object
The direct object receiving the action of the verb is 'the company's chief financial officer'.
The object complement specifically modifies or completes the direct object.
3
Determine the relationship between the direct object and the bolded phrase
'A visionary leader' specifies the identity/status conferred upon 'the chief financial officer' by the verb 'declared'. Therefore, it functions as an object complement.
Noun phrases that predicate a property or identity onto a direct object serve syntactically as object complements.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases (Object Complement)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 11Question →

Consider the following sentence: 'The recently published reports on environmental degradation in the coastal region caused widespread alarm among local community members.' Which word serves as the head noun of the subject noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: reports

Answer

The word 'reports' is the head noun of the subject noun phrase.
The term 'reports' is the head noun of the subject noun phrase 'The recently published reports on environmental degradation in the coastal region'. It receives pre-modification from the participle phrase 'recently published' and post-modification from the prepositional phrase 'on environmental degradation in the coastal region'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate the complete subject noun phrase
The subject phrase is 'The recently published reports on environmental degradation in the coastal region'.
Everything preceding the main verb 'caused' forms the complete subject of the sentence.
2
Analyze the modifiers within the subject noun phrase
'The recently published' acts as a pre-modifier, while 'on environmental degradation in the coastal region' is a post-modifying prepositional phrase.
Identifying modifiers helps isolate the core element that cannot be omitted without changing the core syntactic identity of the phrase.
3
Identify the primary noun (headword) that governs the phrase
The core noun being modified is 'reports'.
The noun 'reports' dictates plural concord and carries the primary syntactic weight of the subject.

Key Concept

Identification of the Head Noun in Complex Noun Phrases
Question 12Question →

In the sentence, 'The heavy rainstorm severely damaged the newly renovated roof of the community center yesterday afternoon,' which word functions as the head noun of the bolded noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: roof

Answer

The word 'roof' is the correct head noun of the specified noun phrase.
The noun 'roof' serves as the head noun (headword) of the noun phrase. The words preceding it ('the newly renovated') function as pre-modifiers, while the prepositional phrase following it ('of the community center') acts as a post-modifier identifying which roof was damaged.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structure of the bolded noun phrase: 'the newly renovated roof of the community center'.
Identify pre-modifiers ('the newly renovated') and post-modifiers ('of the community center').
Determining the modifier boundaries isolates the central noun being described.
2
Identify the primary element that carries the core syntactic meaning of the noun phrase.
The core noun is 'roof', as the entire phrase refers to a specific roof.
The head noun dictates the fundamental meaning and syntactic status of the phrase within the main clause.

Key Concept

Identifying the head noun in complex noun phrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 13Question →

In the sentence, 'The newly appointed director gave the dedicated staff some valuable advice,' what is the grammatical function of the noun phrase 'some valuable advice'?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Direct object

Answer

Direct object
In the clause structure 'subject + verb + indirect object + direct object', the noun phrase 'some valuable advice' answers the question 'gave what?' and thus functions as the direct object of the verb 'gave'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the verb and its clause structure.
The sentence contains the ditransitive verb 'gave', which takes two object positions: a recipient and an entity transferred.
Understanding the verb type determines what noun phrase functions are present in the predicate.
2
Analyze the roles of the post-verbal noun phrases.
'The dedicated staff' is the indirect object (to whom advice was given), while 'some valuable advice' is the direct object (what was given).
The direct object undergoes or represents the primary entity affected by the action of giving.

Key Concept

Grammatical Functions of Noun Phrases (Direct Object in Ditransitive Structures)
Question 14Question →

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blanks with the correct grammatical forms of the specified nouns (information, criterion).

Fill in the blanks below

The investigative board discovered that several vital pieces of were missing from the report, and that the single primary used for the candidate's evaluation was invalid.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires 'information' (an uncountable mass noun) and the second blank requires 'criterion' (the singular form of the Greek loan noun).
The noun 'information' is non-count and does not accept plural inflection even after partitive quantifiers like 'pieces of'. The word 'criterion' is the singular form required by the singular modifier 'single primary' ('criteria' being plural).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the correct grammatical form of the noun for the first blank.
The noun 'information' is uncountable (mass noun) in standard English. It cannot be pluralized with an '-s' suffix (*informations). Partitive structures such as 'pieces of' quantify mass nouns without altering their base singular form.
Uncountable nouns remain in their base singular form regardless of plural partitive modifiers.
2
Determine the correct grammatical form of the noun for the second blank.
The modifier phrase 'the single primary' specifies a singular noun headword. In Greek-derived English nouns, 'criterion' is the singular form, whereas 'criteria' is the plural form.
The singular quantifier 'single' requires the singular noun form 'criterion'.

Key Concept

Mass noun countability constraints and foreign loan word singular/plural inflections.
Question 15Question →

Read the sentence below carefully:

'The governing council appointed Dr. Adeleke the new vice-chancellor of the university.'

What is the grammatical function of the underlined noun phrase?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement

Answer

The underlined noun phrase functions as an object complement.
In English grammar, complex transitive verbs such as 'appoint', 'elect', 'make', 'consider', and 'declare' take a direct object followed by an object complement. In the given sentence, 'Dr. Adeleke' is the direct object, and the underlined noun phrase 'the new vice-chancellor of the university' completes the predicate by describing the capacity or role in which Dr. Adeleke is appointed. Therefore, its grammatical function is an object complement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main verb and sentence structure
The verb 'appointed' is a complex transitive verb that requires both a direct object and an element that completes the object's meaning.
Identifying verb subcategorization helps determine whether subsequent noun phrases function as objects or complements.
2
Identify the direct object
'Dr. Adeleke' is the direct object receiving the action of the verb.
The entity directly affected by the appointment is the person being appointed.
3
Determine the relationship between 'Dr. Adeleke' and 'the new vice-chancellor of the university'
The phrase 'the new vice-chancellor of the university' renames and defines the status assigned to 'Dr. Adeleke'.
A noun phrase that renames or describes a direct object following a complex transitive verb serves as an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic functions of noun phrases: Object Complement
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 16Question →

In the sentence below, what is the grammatical function of the underlined noun phrase?

*The university Senate appointed Professor Danjuma the dean of the new faculty.*

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Object complement of the verb "appointed"

Answer

Object complement of the verb "appointed"
The noun phrase 'the dean of the new faculty' functions as an object complement because it follows the direct object 'Professor Danjuma' and completes the predicate structure of the complex-transitive verb 'appointed'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause structure and identify the verb and its direct object.
The subject is 'The university Senate', the main verb is 'appointed', and the direct object receiving the action is 'Professor Danjuma'.
Determining the direct object establishes the syntactic target of the subsequent noun phrase.
2
Determine the syntactic relationship between 'Professor Danjuma' and 'the dean of the new faculty'.
The noun phrase 'the dean of the new faculty' completes the predication by describing the new status assigned to the direct object.
A noun phrase that renames or describes a direct object to complete the sense of a complex-transitive verb functions as an object complement.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases (Object Complement)
Question 17Question →

Match each bolded noun phrase in the sentences on the left with its exact syntactic function listed on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

The committee elected Dr. Arinze the chief technical consultant for the infrastructure project.
The lead investigator gave the parliamentary panel a comprehensive report on the security breach.
A prominent maritime attorney, Barrister Florence spoke eloquently against the port deregulation bill.
The sudden departure of the finance executive rendered all ongoing budget negotiations completely void.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

1. 'the chief technical consultant' matches with Object complement modifying the direct object; 2. 'the parliamentary panel' matches with Indirect object of the transitive verb; 3. 'Barrister Florence' matches with Appositive renaming the subject noun phrase; 4. 'all ongoing budget negotiations' matches with Direct object of the transitive verb.
Each noun phrase performs a distinct syntactic role based on clause structure: object complementation following complex-transitive verbs, indirect object recipient marking in ditransitive structures, appositive renaming of adjacent subject elements, and direct object placement after monotransitive verbs.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the verb structure and complementation pattern in sentence 1.
The verb 'elected' takes a direct object ('Dr. Arinze') followed by a secondary noun phrase ('the chief technical consultant') describing the role assigned to the direct object, making it an object complement.
Complex-transitive verbs require an object complement to complete the meaning of the direct object.
2
Examine the ditransitive verb structure in sentence 2.
The verb 'gave' transfers the direct object ('a comprehensive report') to the recipient noun phrase ('the parliamentary panel'), identifying it as an indirect object.
In ditransitive clauses (V + IO + DO), the indirect object precedes the direct object and identifies the recipient.
3
Identify non-restrictive nominal modification in sentence 3.
'Barrister Florence' immediately renames the preceding subject noun phrase 'A prominent maritime attorney', functioning as an appositive.
An appositive noun phrase defines or renames an adjacent noun phrase in the sentence structure.
4
Determine the syntactic recipient of the verb's action in sentence 4.
The noun phrase 'all ongoing budget negotiations' serves as the primary entity affected by the transitive verb 'rendered', functioning as the direct object.
A direct object directly receives the action of a transitive verb.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases
Question 18Question →

Match each highlighted noun phrase in the sentences below to its correct syntactic function.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

The committee appointed Dr. Amina the head of research.
The management offered the outstanding candidate a full scholarship.
The sudden collapse of the bridge disrupted the local transport network.
Her main desire, a peaceful retirement in the village, kept her motivated.

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

1. 'The committee appointed Dr. Amina the head of research' matches Object complement. 2. 'The management offered the outstanding candidate a full scholarship' matches Indirect object. 3. 'The sudden collapse of the bridge disrupted the local transport network' matches Direct object. 4. 'Her main desire, a peaceful retirement in the village, kept her motivated' matches Appositive.
Each noun phrase correctly pairs with its grammatical function based on its structural relationship within the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the syntactic role of 'the head of research' following the direct object 'Dr. Amina'.
The phrase defines and completes the meaning of the direct object, identifying its syntactic role as an object complement.
Verbs of naming or appointing take a direct object followed by an object complement.
2
Analyze the syntactic role of 'the outstanding candidate' preceding 'a full scholarship'.
The phrase identifies the beneficiary/recipient of the direct object, making it an indirect object.
In ditransitive verb patterns (Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object), the entity receiving the direct object is the indirect object.
3
Analyze the syntactic role of 'the local transport network' after the transitive verb 'disrupted'.
The phrase receives the action of the verb directly, functioning as the direct object.
Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their clause structure.
4
Analyze the syntactic role of 'a peaceful retirement in the village' placed next to 'Her main desire'.
The phrase restates and renames the subject noun phrase, functioning as an appositive.
A noun phrase set off by commas adjacent to another noun phrase to provide clarification or identity is an appositive.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Nouns and Noun Phrases
Question 19Question →

Match each italicized noun phrase in the sentences on the left with its precise syntactic function on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"Dr. Arinze, *a renowned authority on constitutional law*, addressed the national symposium."
"Throughout the turbulent crisis, the lead negotiator remained *a beacon of calm for the diplomats*."
"The judicial panel proceeded with the inquiry despite *unrelenting political pressure*."
"The board of directors meticulously reviewed *the forensic audit's detailed findings* before voting."

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Each italicized noun phrase accurately matches its syntactic role: 'a renowned authority on constitutional law' is an appositive modifying the subject; 'a beacon of calm for the diplomats' is a subject complement following a linking verb; 'unrelenting political pressure' is a prepositional complement following 'despite'; and 'the forensic audit's detailed findings' is the direct object of 'reviewed'.
Each noun phrase is paired with its exact grammatical function based on syntactic position and relationship to surrounding verbals and prepositions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural position of 'a renowned authority on constitutional law' relative to 'Dr. Arinze'.
It sits adjacent to the head noun 'Dr. Arinze' between commas and redefines the same entity.
Noun phrases that immediately follow another noun to rename or describe it function appositively.
2
Examine the verb 'remained' in the second sentence.
The verb 'remained' acts as a copular (linking) verb connecting the subject 'the lead negotiator' to its post-verbal attribute.
Noun phrases following linking verbs that describe or identify the subject serve as subject complements.
3
Identify the word preceding 'unrelenting political pressure' in the third sentence.
The word 'despite' is a preposition governing the noun phrase that follows.
A noun phrase governed by and immediately following a preposition functions as a prepositional complement.
4
Determine the relationship between the transitive verb 'reviewed' and 'the forensic audit's detailed findings'.
The noun phrase directly undergoes the action expressed by the verb 'reviewed'.
The entity receiving the direct action of a transitive verb is the direct object.

Key Concept

Syntactic Functions of Noun Phrases
Question 20Question →

Complete the sentence below by entering the correct plural form of the compound noun in the blank provided.

Fill in the blanks below

During the joint security summit, all the state delivered speeches on strengthening inter-agency intelligence coordination.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

inspectors-general of police
The correct response pluralizes the principal noun 'inspector' to form 'inspectors-general of police', adhering to standard English rules for compound titles modified by post-positional elements.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the principal noun (headword) within the hyphenated compound noun phrase.
The headword of the compound noun 'inspector-general of police' is 'inspector'.
In complex compound nouns comprising a principal noun followed by an adjective or prepositional modifier, pluralization attaches to the head noun rather than the post-modifying elements.
2
Apply the rule of pluralization to the identified head noun.
'inspector' becomes 'inspectors', yielding 'inspectors-general of police'.
'General' functions as a post-modifying adjective here, and 'of police' is a prepositional complement; neither takes the plural suffix.

Key Concept

Pluralization of Compound Nouns with Post-modifiers
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