Function Words Quiz: Grammar!

A nominal can have a subject position because in a sentence, the subject is typically a noun or a pronoun. A nominal is a term used to refer to a noun or a word or phrase functioning as a noun. Therefore, it is possible for a nominal to occupy the subject position in a sentence.

An adjectival is a type of word that is typically found near a noun and is used to modify or describe that noun. Adjectives provide additional information about the noun, such as its size, color, or quality. By being in close proximity to the noun, adjectivals help to clarify and enhance the meaning of the noun in a sentence. Therefore, it is true that an adjectival is usually near a noun and modifies it.

The underlined phrase "after midnight" modifies the verb "went" by indicating the time when the action of going to sleep occurred. It provides information about when the action took place, making it an adverbial phrase.

The underlined phrase "After the show" modifies the verb "went" by indicating when the action of going skating occurred. It does not modify a noun or pronoun, so it is not nominal. It also does not modify a noun or pronoun by describing or giving more information about it, so it is not adjectival. It does not function as a verb, so it is not verbal. Therefore, the correct answer is adverbial.

The underlined word "troublesome" describes the noun "guy" by giving more information about his nature or characteristics. It modifies the noun and tells us what kind of guy she met. Therefore, the underlined word is adjectival.

The word "Nominal" refers to a type of word that functions as a noun or is related to a noun. In the given sentence, the underlined word "machines" is a noun that represents the subject of the sentence. It is not functioning as an adjective, adverb, or verb, which eliminates the other options. Therefore, the correct answer is "Nominal."

To identify the function of a word, one needs to perform a syntactical analysis. This involves analyzing the word in the context of the sentence and understanding its role and relationship with other words in the sentence. By examining the word's position, its grammatical role (such as subject, object, or modifier), and its agreement with other words, one can determine its function within the sentence. A syntactical analysis helps in understanding the overall structure and meaning of the sentence by examining the word's function in relation to the sentence's syntax.

The underlined word "practice" in the sentence functions as a noun, specifically a gerund. It is the object of the verb "do" and represents the action or activity of fasting. Therefore, the correct answer is "Nominal."

The underlined word "touching" describes the noun "story" by expressing an emotional quality. It modifies the noun by giving additional information about the story, indicating that it evokes strong feelings. Therefore, the underlined word is adjectival.

The underlined phrase "while I was trying to sleep" modifies the verb "barked" by indicating the time or circumstance in which the dog was barking. It functions as an adverbial phrase because it provides additional information about the action of the verb.

Not all words ending in -ly are adverbials. While many adverbs end in -ly, not all words with this ending function as adverbials. Some words ending in -ly can be adjectives, such as "friendly" or "likely." Therefore, the statement that all words ending in -ly are adverbials is incorrect.

The underlined word "sank" is the past tense form of the verb "sink," which describes the action of the fishing boat going underwater. However, the question is asking about the underlined word "ocean," which is an adjective modifying the noun "months." It describes where the fishing boat sank, indicating that it sank in the ocean. Therefore, the correct answer is "Adjectival."

Verbs, modals, and auxiliaries can all function as verbals. A verbal is a word that is derived from a verb but functions as a different part of speech. Verbs are the main action words in a sentence, while modals and auxiliaries help to express different aspects of the verb, such as possibility, necessity, or tense. Therefore, all three of these options can be considered verbals. Adjectives, nouns, and pronouns, on the other hand, do not have the same verb-like qualities and cannot function as verbals.

The underlined phrase "to get married more than once" functions as a noun in the sentence. It serves as the subject of the sentence, indicating what the common practice is. The phrase does not modify a verb, adjective, or adverb, making it a nominal phrase.

To find an adverbial, you can ask the questions "When", "Where", "How", "Why", and "How often". Adverbials provide additional information about the verb in a sentence, such as the time, place, manner, or reason of an action. By asking these questions, you can determine the adverbial in a sentence and identify the specific details it provides.

Adjectives can function as nominals when they are used as the subject or object of a sentence.
Noun phrases are already nominals as they consist of a noun and any accompanying words.
Verbs with -ing can function as nominals when used as the subject or object of a sentence.
Verbs with "to-" can also function as nominals when used as the subject or object of a sentence.
Nouns are already nominals as they are words that represent people, places, things, or ideas.

Words or phrases that can function as adjectives include nouns, verbs with -ing, adjectives, prepositional phrases, genitive case ('s), and verbs with -ed. These words or phrases can modify or describe nouns in a sentence. For example, in the sentence "The running water is refreshing," "running" is a verb with -ing that functions as an adjective to describe the noun "water." Similarly, in the sentence "She wore a red dress," "red" is an adjective that describes the noun "dress." Prepositional phrases, such as "in the park," can also function as adjectives to describe a noun, as in "The dog in the park is playful."