The Attribute

The Attribute is a secondary part of a sentence that define the quality of a subject and answers the questions what? what kind of? whose? which? how much? how many?. It can be expressed by:

1. an adjective (I received an important letter yesterday.)

2. an adverb (He bought some illustrated magazines. The rising sun was hidden by the clouds.)

3. participle construction (The student speaking to the teacher is my brother. They sent us a list of goods sold at the auction.)

4. a numeral (Two thousand tons of sugar were loaded on the S.S. “Minsk” yesterday.)

5. a pronoun (Some magazines are lying on the table. This is my book.)

6. a noun in the common case (The town library is closed on Sundays.)

7. a noun in the possessive case (The teacher corrected the student’s mistakes.)

8. a noun with a preposition (The leg of the table is broken.)

9. an infinitive (He had a great desire to travel.)

10. a gerund with a preposition (They discussed different methods of teaching foreign languages.)

Adverbial Modifiers

The Adverbial Modifier is a secondary part of a sentence that defines how and in what circumstances an action takes place. The Adverbial Modifier can be:

1. Adverbial Modifier of Time (She will come soon).

2. Adverbial Modifier of Place (I found him in the garden).

3. Adverbial Modifier of Manner and comparison (He spoke slowly).

4. Adverbial Modifier of Cause (I came back because of the rain).

5. Adverbial Modifier of Purpose (I have come to discuss the matter).

6. Adverbial Modifier of Result (I haven’t smiled at his joke, it is too rude to be funny).

7. Adverbial Modifier of Attendant circumstances (He sat at the table reading a newspaper).

8. Adverbial Modifier of Concession (No matter how late he comes I will wait for him).

9. Adverbial Modifier of Condition (If it isn’t our meeting, I’ll never learn about their marriage).

The Adverbial Modifier can be expressed by:

1. an adverb (The meeting was held yesterday. He quickly opened the door and ran out of the room.)

2. a noun with a preposition (He spent his vacation in the South. He was in the Soviet Army during the war.)

3. a participle I (He stood on the deck counting the cases. While reading the book I came across a number of interesting expressions.)

4. an infinitive (He is clever enough to understand it.)

5. a gerund with a preposition (He locked the door before leaving the office.)

Test questions:

1. What are the main and secondary parts of the sentence?

2. What is the subject? What are its types? What is it expressed by? Examples.

3. What is the predicate? What are its types? Examples.

4. What is the simple predicate and what is it expressed by? Examples.

5. What is the compound nominal predicate and what is it expressed by? Examples.

6. What is the compound verbal predicate and what is it expressed by? Examples.

7. What is the object? What are its types? What is it expressed by? Examples.

8. What is the attribute? What is it expressed by? Examples.

9. What is the adverbial modifier? What are its types? What are they expressed by? Examples.

Exercise 1. Point out the subject in the following sentences and state what it is expressed by. Translate into Russian.

1. You couldn’t define it more precisely! 2. It never rains, but it pours! 3. Two plus two makes four. 4. There was a tall lamp-post beside the packing house. 5. What is the meaning of all this? 6. A few more of these is all that is needed. 7. People don’t easily recognize their faults. 8. Dark blue is not your colour for a costume. 9. Who will be the second in command? 10. Which of them is the President? 11. To be or not to be, that is the question. 12. Smoking is not allowed. 13. One can’t be too sure. 14. How much do they offer? 15. They say it’s about ten miles from here. 16. The third may be not taken into account. 17. Your “i” must be dotted. 18. Will half of the sum be enough? 19. The brave won’t lay down their arms. 20. Never is a long time. 21. Here is a brighter torch for Jim.

Exercise 2. Distinguish definite personal, indefinite personal and impersonal sentences as expressed by the pronominal subjects. Translate into Russian.

1. Things were going on smoothly. 2. You cannot eat your cake and have it. 3. Can you give me a light? 4. People generally don’t like being ordered about. 5. It was getting darker and darker. 6. We were too tired to enjoy the show properly. 7. They don’t like cowards in the mountains. 8. What are we normally supposed to do in a situation like that? 9. Some don’t like light music, others don’t like classical music. 10. How can one account for his refusal? 11. There was no one on the stairs. 12. It was broad daylight when we started. 13. What can I do for you? 14. Could one do anything for them at all? 15. Many will support his idea, while not a few will find no appeal in it. 16. Man changes nature, but together with nature he changes himself, too. 17. Who can tell the number of scintillating stars above our heads? 18. You look at the picture of the great master, and you forget that it is painted with colours on a piece of canvas: every detail of it is life itself.

Exercise 3. Translate into Russian, paying attention to the pronoun it used as the subject.

1. It is Clarence speaking, don’t you recognize me? 2. It was so difficult to remember those rows of figures. 3. It was there and then that I saw the futility of his effort. 4. It looks like rain. 5. It is someone else’s pen. 6. It wasn’t any use trying to make one’s voice heard over the general noise. 7. It wasn’t tactful, you should apologize. 8. It was too late for them to continue their talk. 9. Why, it was only yesterday that I have the confirmation of the news! 10. It is to the operator that he is nodding, not to you. 11. The happy end of this film can hardly be called its drawback; to my mind, it should rather be considered as its merit. 12. But it’s unbelievable, he can’t have left without letting us know. 13. It is the skills of the young workers that are just being discussed at the manager’s office.

Exercise 4. Point out the predicative in the following sentences and state what it is expressed by. Translate into Russian.

1. He looked young, erect, and well. 2. “The young man,” said the general, “seemed a decent fellow, I thought.” 3. It was he who persuaded them to meet us at the station. 4. The chief was a friend of Christie’s and she knew that she was one of his favorites. 5. His first instinct was to pass on without a word, but Lawson did not give him the opportunity. 6. The best thing is doing it at once. 7. Pearson sounded relieved. 8. My greatest wish in the world is that you should be happy. 9. He could not believe the child was only six, for his voice had the power of an eleven-year-old’s. 10. Suddenly he felt afraid.

Exercise 5. Point out the predicate in each of the following sentences and state its type. Translate into Russian.

a) 1. He excused himself and went outside. 2. There came a surprise. 3. He wondered what she was thinking. 4. No questions were asked about his absence. 5. On steam tables the day’s dinner menu dishes were being portioned and served for delivery to dining-rooms. 6. I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen, believe me, my dear Eliot, if I had been there. 7. At dawn fighting broke out with renewed violence.

b) 1. But I must be going now. 2. “Why should we go down to dessert twice a day?” said Venice. 3. You will have to do as you were told. 4. Most of our senior officers will have arrived by then. 5. Your mother must have gone through a good deal of suffering. 6. They may have telephone communication. 7. Who could have done such a thing? 8. Jack ought to have stayed for tea with them.

c) 1. The man grinned from ear to ear and began to play a lively tune. 2. I kept walking, busy with my thoughts. 3. Aloysius Royce continued to work quietly as the other two talked. 4. He burst out laughing. 5. They ceased to speak eyeing the newcomer suspiciously. 6. He would go there every afternoon just for pleasure. 7. You remind me of someone I used to know from Africa. 8. She stopped to talk to the Cypriot tailor. 9. The tanks began moving towards the bridge.

d) 1. Let the medical officer know, with my compliments, that I wish to see him. 2. I longed to go where there was life and movement. 3. The party director replied patiently, “I’d still prefer to come to your house.” 4. We decided to telephone the office at once. 5. She had utterly refused to do what they had asked her to. 6. Why did you refuse to come?

c) 1. The roof of the cottage was high and pointed. 2. The argument grew hot. 3. You men, you’re all alike! 4. The plan is original but very difficult to be realized. 5. They remained silent for a while. 6. Why have you become so absent-minded, my dear fellow? 7. It is getting dark, will you turn on the light? 8. Her voice sounded very strange. 9. Something has gone wrong with the starter. 10. Mary’s cakes taste always delicious.

f) 1. Mr. Dempster waited until the conversation died. 2. For a full three minutes Daisy’s mouth continued to laugh. 3. They were trying to calm her. 4. His parents had naturally desired to see her once at least before he carried her off to a distant settlement. 5. He couldn’t go on living there alone. 6. I beg your pardon, but Mr. Gatsby would like to speak to you alone.

Exercise 6. Translate into English using constructions with compound nominal predicates.

1. Она выбрала стул с прямой спинкой, и он оказался удобнее других. 2. В конце выступления его голос звучал странно. 3. Она оказалась на несколько лет моложе меня. 4. Тишина стала гнетущей. 5. Яблоки были не совсем спелые, но приятные на вкус. 6. Он старался казаться бодрым и оживлённым, но чувствовал себя совсем больным. 7. Софья оставалась молчаливой весь вечер. 8. Заброшенный колодец совсем высох. 9. Дверь распахнулась, и на пороге появился Майкл. 10. Сегодня вы выглядите на десять лет моложе, чем обычно. 11. Сохраняйте спокойствие, господа, ничего особенного не случилось. 12. Ткань была мягкой и шелковистой на ощупь. 13. Становится сыро, пора возвращаться домой. 14. Мелодия показалась ему знакомой, но он не мог припомнить, когда и где её слышал.

Exercise 7. Consider the phrase-verb predicate in the following sentences. Translate into Russian.

1. Tom gave him a startled look and went scarlet. 2. Miranda stole a quick glance at Miss Cromwell. 3. Luke took hold of the desk and shook himself. 4. Spencer took a deep breath. 5. She heaved a great sigh of relief. 6. Suddenly Doctor South shot a question at Jane. 7. You shouldn’t worry, Mrs. Wilkinson, these young people will take care of themselves. 8. Did she really take no notice of the sings Bob was making to her? 9. He took leave of the company rather unexpectedly. 10. They are going to pay us a return visit next Sunday. 11. The man gave a deep sigh and stood up to leave. 12. He caught sight of Mr. Robinson walking in through the open gate.

Exercise 8. Translate into English using constructions with phrase-verb predicate.

1. Она взглянула на неё из под ресниц. 2. Он повернул за угол, и я потеряла его из виду. 3. Ребёнок простудился, его нужно немедленно положить в постель. 4. Он вздрогнул, когда мы вошли. 5. Король громко рассмеялся, и послы вежливо заулыбались. 6. Я его встретил, когда совершал прогулку. 7. Я не удивился, когда, не взглянув на меня, он прошёл в другую сторону комнаты и начал разговаривать с гостями. 8. Она была так занята своими мыслями, что не заметила мужчину в белом макинтоше. 9. Теперь, я думаю, можно закурить. 10. К сожалению, я должна оставить ваше приятное общество. 11. Присмотри за ребёнком, пока я не вернусь. 12. Событие, о котором я собираюсь вам рассказать, произошло двадцать пять лет назад.

Exercise 9. Translate into English using compound aspective and modal predicate.

1. Необходимо продолжать попытки наладить с ними прямую радиосвязь. 2. Сергей, должно быть, знает этот вопрос лучше, чем я. 3. Он начал колебаться в своём выборе. 4. Нам следует внимательно продумать организацию занятий. 5. Я бы на вашем месте перестал волноваться. 6. Соглашайтесь, пока не поздно; они могут передумать. 7. Позвоните ему, если вам нужно срочно с ним посоветоваться; в это время он может не быть занят. 8. Известие может показаться довольно странным. 9. Нам приходится быть готовыми ко всему. 10. Мне это стало нравиться. 11. В молодости он ведь был хорошим оратором. 12. Поэтом можешь ты не быть, но гражданином быть обязан!

Exercise 10. Consider the double predicate in the following sentences. Translate into Russian.

1. The day broke grey and dull. 2. The dust lay thick on the country road. 3. The door slammed shut behind the newcomers. 4. The morning of the Handicap dawned clear and bright. 5. The moon rose red over the silent valley. 6. But Alex, when he was alone, sat silent, thoughtful. 7. If by any chance one of the servants heard her she could say that she had awakened hungry and had gone down to see if she could find something to eat. 8. He was lying flat on his back looking up into the eternal blue of the sky. 9. That night, Martha lay awake with her mind in turmoil. 10. He came home pale and puzzled, and called his wife into his study.

Exercise 11. Consider different types of objects (direct, indirect, prepositional). Comment on the general semantic relations they express. Translate into Russian.

1. A red salvage truck engaged gear and roared away. 2. The doorway was occupied by a bulky man with a brown attaché case. 3. His mother held out his jacket for him. 4. Why are you afraid of diving? 5. We must keep the telephone line open to the office. 6. Spencer put out a hand to steady himself. 7. He had been thankful for the chance to sleep. 8. The clerk nodded approval. 9. Remind the newspaper office to cover the possible evacuation of houses. 10. He couldn’t think of a thing to say. 11. We shall depend only on you in this matter, shan’t we? 12. No worry, sir, the doctor will be attending to her presently. 13. The inspector allowed himself to smile. 14. Do you want to have the printed records at once? 15. I’m sorry to have disturbed you. 16. Clearly she hasn’t thought of the possibility. 17. To go such a long way on foot – impossible! 18. The family were busy packing for the trip. 19. We may offer to you three more of the same. 20. He shook himself out another cigarette. 21. This slender girl will make an excellent teacher.

Exercise 12. Point out the attributes, state their kinds, explain the semantic relations expressed by them. Translate into Russian.

1. On the third day there was sudden excitement down at the bend. 2. The landscape class, with stools and easels and sketch-boxes, tramped off twice a week to some vantage point to indulge in plein-air painting. 3. Those were golden days in my life; it was more than twenty years ago. 4. The evening beauty of the river with a soft mist rising from its glassy surface stirred her out of her state of suspended animation. 5. Their next season’s crop was threatened too, for the pumping plant could not operate. 6. Beyond the half-drawn curtains at the French windows the summer sun beat down upon the green lawn. 7. A gaunt woman in a black dress, long apron and sun-bonnet came out, and rather grudgingly filled her can with three-penn’orth of milk. 8. Oh, that never-to-be-forgotten summer in the Golden Valley! 9. The only piece of furniture worthy of note was a large grandfather chair standing in front of the fireplace.

Exercise 13. Point out adverbial modifiers in the following sentences and state their types. Translate into Russian.

1. A secretary came running with a frightened expression. 2. Mary descended the slope very easily. 3. The people in the bus remained silent till the end of the ride. 4. In spite of their lively talk each of them had something in reserve. 5. Alfred returned presently with quite a credible assortment of tools. 6. They were just passing in through a side door. 7. The lady lived in a large gloomy house in one of the London’s higher class squares. 8. The fire that was merrily burning in the grate attracted the newcomers as a magnet. 9. Bill was much too exhausted from his night vigil to be of any further help.

Bibliography