Parse an English Sentence

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Brahman
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Parse an English Sentence

Post by Brahman »

I am learning to parse English sentences. Could someone tell me whether I have parsed the following sentence correctly?

"Taking time off from work can be a good idea for those who are stressed."

“Taking time off from work”, which is a gerundial phrase, serves as a noun and complete subject of this sentence. “can be a good idea for those who are stressed” is the complete predicate. “can be” is a complex verb phrase, and “good idea” is the predicative adjective complement. “for those who are stressed” is a prepositional phrase.
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Alan
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Re: Parse an English Sentence

Post by Alan »

Yes, except that 'a good idea' is a complemental NOUN phrase.

Incidentally, true parsing involves analyzing on a word-by-word basis. What you present here is a general phrasal analysis.
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