EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
16
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CHAPTER 4 - FORM-CLASS WORDS
Exercise 4.1
This is a good exercise for small group work followed by class discussion.
widgeluggers
Noun: It has a noun-making derivational suffix {-er} and a noun plural
inflectional suffix {-s} (formal clues); it follows an article, the, and by its
position seems to be the subject of the verb plinkered (functional clues).
plinkered
Verb: It has a past tense verb inflectional suffix {-ed} (formal clue); its
position suggest that widgeluggers is its subject (functional clue).
groodies
Noun: It has a noun plural inflectional suffix {-s} (formal clue); it follows
a preposition and determiner, of the (functional clue).
blunksy
Adjective: It has an adjective-forming suffix {-y} (formal clue); it is
preceded by an article, the, and seems to be followed by a noun frigoldkins
(functional clue).
frigoldkins
Noun: It has a noun-making derivational suffix {-kin} and a noun plural
inflectional suffix {-s} (formal clues); it follows an article and adjective,
the blunksy, and by its position seems to be the subject of the verb
morfelled (functional clues).
morfelled
Verb: It has a past tense verb inflectional suffix {-ed} (formal clue); its
position suggest that figoldkins is its subject (functional clue).
grobously
Adverb: It has an adverb-forming suffix {-ly} (formal clue); it occurs just
after morfelled, an apparent verb (functional clue).
prithereens
Noun: It has a noun plural inflectional suffix {-s} (formal clue); it follows
a preposition and determiner, with their (functional clue).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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Exercise 4.2
1.
virus (4)
NOUN
Applicable: (2) Can occur with plural (viruses); (3) can occur with
possessive (the virus’s effect); (4) can follow an article (the virus);
(5) can fit in the frame sentence (The virus seems all right).
Not Applicable: (1) Has no noun-making morpheme
2.
viciousness (3)
NOUN
Applicable: (1) Has noun-making derivational suffix {-ness};
(4) can follow an article (the viciousness); (5) can fit in the frame
sentence (Viciousness seems all right).
Not Applicable: (2) Cannot occur with plural (*viciousnesses); (3)
cannot occur with possessive (*viciousness’s).
3.
e-mail (4)
NOUN
Applicable: (2) Can occur with plural (e-mails); (3) can occur with
possessive (the e-mail’s message); (4) can follow an article (the email); (5) can fit in the frame sentence (The e-mail seems all right).
Not Applicable: (1) Has no noun-making morpheme
4.
provider (5)
NOUN
Applicable: (1) Has noun-making derivational suffix {-er}; (2) can
occur with plural (providers); (3) can occur with possessive (the
provider’s charges); (4) can follow an article (the provider); (5)
can fit in the frame sentence (The provider seems all right).
5.
Website (4)
NOUN
Applicable: (2) Can occur with plural (websites); (3) can occur
with possessive (the website’s appearance); (4) can follow an
article (the website); (5) can fit in the frame sentence (The website
seems all right).
Not Applicable: (1) Has no noun-making morpheme
6.
online (0)
NOT A NOUN
Not Applicable: (1) Line is a noun, but the prefix {-on} deprives it
of its noun status. (2) Cannot occur with plural (*onlines); (3)
cannot occur with possessive (*online’s); (4) cannot follow an
article (*the online); (5) cannot fit in the frame sentence (*The
online seems all right; *Online seems all right).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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7.
chatting (2)
NOT A NOUN
Applicable: (4) Can follow an article (The chatting became
intolerable); (5) can fit in the frame sentence (Chatting seems all
right).
Not Applicable: (1) Has a verb inflectional morpheme {-ing}; (2)
Cannot occur with plural (*chattings); (3) cannot occur with
possessive (*chatting’s).
8.
mailing (4)
NOUN
Applicable: (2) Can occur with plural (mailings); (3) can occur
with possessive (the mailing’s recipients); (4) can follow an article
(the mailing); (5) can fit in the frame sentence (The mailing seems
all right).
Not Applicable: (1) Has no noun-making morpheme;{-ing} is a
verb inflection.
Exercise 4.3
This is a good exercise for small group work followed by class discussion.
1.
virus
A (It names a thing.)
2.
viciousness
B (It is derived from the adjective vicious by the addition of the
noun-making derivational suffix {-ness}).
3.
e-mail
A (It names a thing.)
4.
provider
C (It is derived from the verb provide by the addition of the nounmaking derivational suffix {-er}).
5.
website
A (It names a thing.)
6.
online
This adjective cannot function as a noun.
7.
chatting
G (This gerund has not become a true noun, as is demonstrated by
its not accepting noun inflections.)
8.
mailing
C (Although it has the verb present-participle suffix {-ing} and still
functions as a present participle in I am mailing this letter today, it
has also become a noun. That it is a true noun is shown by the fact
that it accepts both noun inflections: We prepared two separate
mailings for the campaign; The mailing’s purpose was to inform
the voters.)
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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Exercise 4.4
This is a good exercise for students to write out and then submit to small group discussion.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
calculus
analysis
graph
mathematician
paper
arithmetic
student
Euclid
noncount, common, inanimate
count, common, inanimate
count, common, inanimate
count, common, animate, human
count, common, inanimate
noncount, common, inanimate
count, common, animate, human
count, proper, animate, human, male
Exercise 4.5
1.
engulf (8)
VERB
Applicable: (1) Has a verb-making derivational prefix {-en};
(2) can occur in present tense (engulfs); (3) can occur in past tense
(engulfed); (4) can occur as a present participle (engulfing); (5) can
occur as a past participle (engulfed); (6) can be made into a
command (“Engulf some other area,” he prayed); (7) can be made
negative (The tsunami didn’t completely engulf the town); (8) can
fit the frame sentence (That wave might engulf our boat).
2.
warn (7)
VERB
Applicable: (2) can occur in present tense (warns); (3) can occur
in past tense (warned); (4) can occur as a present participle
(warning); (5) can occur as a past participle (warned); (6) can be
made into a command (Warn everyone to flee); (7) can be made
negative (The authorities didn’t warn us to expect a storm); (8) can
fit the frame sentence (The police can warn the town).
Not applicable: (1) Has no verb-making morpheme.
3.
sink (7)
VERB
Applicable: (2) can occur in present tense (sinks); (3) can occur in
past tense (sank); (4) can occur as a present participle (sinking); (5)
can occur as a past participle (sunk); (6) can be made into a
command (Sink that ship!); (7) can be made negative (Our boat
didn’t sink); (8) can fit the frame sentence (A boat can sink in these
swells).
Not applicable: (1) Has no verb-making morpheme.
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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4.
hit (7)
VERB
Applicable: (2) can occur in present tense (hits); (3) can occur in
the past tense with a zero morpheme (A tree fell and hit the house);
(4) can occur as a present participle (hitting); (5) can occur as a
past participle with a zero morpheme (Something has hit the
house); (6) can be made into a command (Hit the deck!); (7) can be
made negative (The tree did not hit their house); (8) can fit in the
frame sentence (A tree can hit the house).
Not applicable: (1) Has no verb-making morpheme.
5.
fortify (8)
VERB
Applicable: (1) Has a verb making morpheme {-ify); (2) can occur
in present tense (fortifies); (3) can occur in the past tense
(fortified); (4) can occur as a present participle (fortifying); (5) can
occur as a past participle (fortified); (6) can be made into a
command (Fortify the dam!); (7) can be made negative (They did
not fortify the dam); (8) can fit in the frame sentence (They can
fortify the dam).
6.
flee (7)
VERB
Applicable: (2) can occur in present tense (flees); (3) can occur in
the past tense (fled); (4) can occur as a present participle (fleeing);
(5) can occur as a past participle (fled); (6) can be made into a
command (Flee for your lives!); (7) can be made negative (Some
people did not flee from their homes); (8) can fit in the frame
sentence (They can flee).
Not applicable: (1) Has no verb-making morpheme.
7.
recede (7)
VERB
Applicable: (2) can occur in present tense (recedes); (3) can occur
in the past tense (receded); (4) can occur as a present participle
(receding); (5) can occur as a past participle (receded); (6) can be
made into a command (Recede!); (7) can be made negative (The
waters did not recede quickly); (8) can fit in the frame sentence
(The water may recede now).
Not applicable: (1) Has no verb-making morpheme.
8.
quake (6)
VERB
Applicable: (2) can occur in present tense (quakes); (3) can occur
in the past tense (quaked); (4) can occur as a present participle
(quaking); (5) can occur as a past participle (quaked); (7) can be
made negative (The earth did not quake); (8) can fit in the frame
sentence (The earth can quake).
Not applicable: (1) Has no verb-making morpheme; (6) cannot be
made into a command.
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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Exercise 4.6
1.
frighten
Verb only
Contains a verb-making derivational suffix {-en}; can occur with
verb inflections (frightens, frightened, frightening); can fit in the
frame sentence (You can frighten them that way). Cannot be used
as a noun (*The frighten seems all right).
2.
costume
Both noun and verb
Can occur with noun inflections (costumes, costume’s); can fit in
the noun frame sentence (The costume seems all right). Also can
occur with verb inflections (costumes, costumed, costuming); can
fit in the verb frame sentence (We can costume all the children).
3.
treat
Both noun and verb
Can occur with noun inflections (treats, treat’s); can fit in the noun
frame sentence (The treat seems all right). Also can occur with
verb inflections (treats, treated, treating); can fit in the verb frame
sentence (We can treat everyone).
4.
princess
Noun only
Has a noun-making derivational suffix; can occur with noun
inflections (princesses, princess’s); can fit in the noun frame
sentence (The princess seems all right). Cannot be used as a verb
(*She can princess tomorrow).
5.
tot
Noun only
Can occur with noun inflections (tots, tot’s); can fit in the noun
frame sentence (The tot seems all right). Cannot be used as a verb
(*They can tot).
6.
fantasize
Verb only
Has a verb-making derivational suffix {-ize}; can occur with verb
inflections (fantasizes, fantasized, fantasizing); can fit in the verb
frame sentence (They can fantasize). Cannot be used as a noun
(*The fantasize seems all right).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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7.
candy
Both noun and verb
Can occur with noun inflections (candies, candy’s); can fit in the
noun frame sentence (The candy seems all right). Also can occur
with verb inflections (candies, candied, candying); can fit in the
verb frame sentence (We can candy apples).
8.
bewitch
Verb only
Has a verb-making derivational prefix {be-}; can occur with verb
inflections (bewitches, bewitched, bewitching); can fit in the verb
frame sentence (She can bewitch them). Cannot be used as a noun
(*The bewitch seems all right).
Exercise 4.7
1.
alluring (3)
Applicable: (2) Can be made comparative and superlative
(more/most alluring); (3) can be qualified (quite alluring); (4) can
fit in the frame sentence (That alluring dress is very alluring).
Not applicable: (1) No adjective-making morpheme.
2.
eating (0)
Not Applicable: (1) Has no adjective-making morpheme; (2)
cannot be made comparative and superlative (*more/most eating);
(3) cannot be qualified (*quite eating); (4) cannot fit in the frame
sentence (*The eating apples are very eating).
3.
skinny (4)
Applicable: (1) Has an adjective-making derivational suffix {-y};
(2) can be made comparative and superlative (more/most skinny);
(3) can be qualified (quite skinny); (4) can fit in the frame sentence
(That skinny model is very skinny).
4.
pale (3)
Applicable: (2) Can be made comparative and superlative (paler,
palest); (3) can be qualified (quite pale); (4) can fit in the frame
sentence (Her pale skin is very pale).
Not applicable: (1) No adjective-making morpheme.
5.
diet (0)
Not Applicable: (1) Has no adjective-making morpheme; (2)
cannot be made comparative and superlative (*more diet/most
diet); (3) cannot be qualified (*quite diet); (4) cannot fit in the
frame sentence (*This diet drink is very diet).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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6.
tall (3)
Applicable: (2) Can be made comparative and superlative (taller,
tallest); (3) can be qualified (quite tall); (4) can fit in the frame
sentence (The tall model was very tall).
Not applicable: (1) No adjective-making morpheme.
7.
controlled (3)
Applicable: (2) Can be made comparative and superlative
(more/most controlled); (3) can be qualified (quite controlled); (4)
can fit in the frame sentence (The controlled announcer was very
controlled).
Not applicable: (1) No adjective-making morpheme.
8.
hungry (4)
Applicable: (1) Has an adjective-making derivational suffix {-y};
(2) can be made comparative and superlative (more/most hungry);
(3) can be qualified (quite hungry); (4) can fit in the frame sentence
(That hungry model is very hungry).
Exercise 4.8
This is a good exercise for small group work followed by class discussion.
1.
magical (both)
Gomez has some magical powers. (attributive)
When lightning flashed, the yard was very magical.
(predicative)
2.
demonic (both)
Grandmama has a demonic laugh. (attributive)
Grandmama is not very demonic. (predicative)
3.
ghostly (both)
A ghostly apparition floated before them. (attributive)
The light from the upper window was very ghostly.
(predicative)
4.
asleep (predicative)
*The asleep family didn’t hear the noise. (attributive)
The dog was completely asleep during the storm.
(predicative)
5.
mysterious (both)
A mysterious stranger appeared at the door. (attributive)
The sudden disappearance of the Uncle Fester was very
mysterious. (predicative)
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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6.
ultimate (attributive)
Uncle Nick-Nack had the ultimate solution. (attributive)
*Uncle Nick-Nack’s solution was very ultimate.
(predicative)
7.
surprising (both)
Lurch brought surprising news to the family. (attributive)
The sudden appearance of Lurch was very surprising.
(predicative)
8.
unusual (both)
Mortica’s unusual appearance bothered some people.
(attributive)
Mortica’s appearance was rather unusual. (predicative)
Exercise 4.9
This is a good exercise for small group work followed by class discussion.
ADJECTIVES
lovely [lovely day]
timely [timely solution]
worldly [worldly experience]
ghostly [ghostly appearance]
ADVERBS
foolishly [said foolishly]
absolutely [absolutely certain]
maniacally [laughed maniacally]
paternally [advised paternally]
The adjectives are derived from the following nouns: love, time, world, ghost. The adverbs are
derived from these adjectives: foolish, absolute, maniacal, paternal.
Exercise 4.10
This is a good exercise for small group work followed by class discussion.
1.
Because hourly is derived from a noun, we would expect it to be an adjective (an hourly
report); for some speakers it is both an adjective and an adverb (He reported to the office
hourly).
2.
Leisurely, too, is derived from a noun. It is a prototypical adjective (Their leisurely stroll
was very leisurely); for some speakers, but not all, it is also an adverb (They strolled
leisurely through the park).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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Exercise 4.11
1.
quietly (5)
ADVERB
Applicable: (1) Has an adverb-making derivational suffix {-ly};
(2) can be made comparative or superlative (more/most quietly);
(3) can be qualified (rather quietly); (4) can move in its sentence
(Quietly, he stepped into the room/He stepped into the room
quietly); (5) fits in the frame sentence (She told her story quietly).
2.
reverently (5)
ADVERB
Applicable: (1) Has an adverb-making derivational suffix {-ly};
(2) can be made comparative or superlative (more/most reverently);
(3) can be qualified (rather reverently); (4) can move in its sentence
(Reverently, he approached the altar/He approached the altar
reverently); (5) fits in the frame sentence (She told the story
reverently).
3.
fatherly (2)
NOT AN
ADVERB
Applicable: (2) Can be made comparative or superlative
(more/most fatherly); (3) can be qualified (quite fatherly).
[These are also adjective tests.]
Not applicable: (1) Has no adverb-making morpheme; it has an
adjective-making derivational suffix [-ly] on a noun base; (4) cannot
move in its sentence (He smiled at them fatherly/*Fatherly, he
smiled at them); (5) for most speakers it does not fit in the frame
sentence (*He told his story fatherly). [Fatherly is an adjective: His
fatherly advice was very fatherly.]
4.
upward (3)
ADVERB
Applicable: (1) Has an adverb-making derivational suffix {-ward};
(4) can move in its sentence (Upward flew the arrow/The arrow flew
upward); (5) fits in the frame sentence (She threw the ball upward).
Not applicable: (2) Probably cannot be made comparative or
superlative (*more/most upward); (3) cannot be qualified (*quite
upward). [May also be an adjective: It flew in an upward direction.]
5.
Sunday (2)
BORDERLINE
Applicable: (4) Can move in its sentence (Sunday they will be
here/They will be here Sunday); (5) fits in the frame sentence (They
walked their dog Sunday.)
Not applicable: (1) Has no adverb-making morpheme; (2) cannot be
made comparative or superlative (*more/most Sunday); (3) cannot be
qualified (*rather Sunday). [Days of the week belong to a small set of
nouns that can behave like adverbs: Let’s go home, I’ll see you
Tuesday, but not *Let’s go school, *I’ll see you July.
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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6.
early (4)
ADVERB
Applicable: (2) Can be made comparative or superlative
(earlier/earliest); (3) can be qualified (rather early); (4) can move in
its sentence (The plane arrived at the gate early/The plane arrived
early at the gate); (5) fits in the frame sentence (He walked his dog
early).
Not applicable: (1) The {-ly} suffix looks like an adverb-making
morpheme, and historically, it probably was one. But what would we
call the base of this word? [May also be an adjective: The early
arrival delighted the passengers.]
7.
seriously (5)
ADVERB
Applicable: (1) Has an adverb-making derivational suffix [-ly];
(2) can be made comparative or superlative (more/most seriously); (3)
can be qualified (rather seriously); (4) can move in its sentence (He
stood seriously before the crowd/He stood before the crowd seriously);
(5) fits in the frame sentence (She told the story seriously).
8.
edgewise (3)
ADVERB
Applicable: (1) Has an adverb-making derivational suffix [-wise];
(4) can can move in its sentence (The cat burglar moved along the roof
edgewise/The cat burglar moved edgewise along the roof); (5) fits in
the frame sentence (She couldn’t get a word in edgewise).
Not applicable: (2) Cannot be made comparative or superlative
(*more/most edgewise); (3) cannot be qualified (*quite edgewise).
Exercise 4.12
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
soon - TIME
anxiously - MANNER
somewhere - PLACE
utterly - DEGREE
often - FREQUENCY
carelessly - MANNER
once - NUMBER or FREQUENCY
eternally - DURATION or DEGREE
Exercise 4.13
1.
Saturday
NOUN functioning ADVERBIALLY - Can fit in the adverb frame sentence: She walked her
dog Saturday. It can move in its sentence (Saturday she walked her dog), but it cannot be
made comparative and superlative nor can it be qualified (*more/most/quite Saturday).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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2.
late
ADVERB functioning ADVERBIALLY - It can be made comparative and superlative and
can be qualified (later, latest, quite late), and it can fit in the adverb frame sentence (She
walked her dog late).
3.
green
ADJECTIVE functioning ADJECTIVALLY - It can qualified (greener, greenest, quite
green), and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence (The green dress was very green).
4.
beaded
VERB PAST PARTICIPLE functioning ADJECTIVALLY - For some speakers it can be
made comparative and superlative and can be qualified (more/most/quite beaded) and can fit
in the adjective frame sentence (The beaded dress was very beaded). For them, beaded is a
true adjective. For others, these examples are strange, and such speakers continue to perceive
beaded as a participle modifying jacket.
5.
fur
NOUN functioning ADJECTIVALLY - It cannot be made comparative and superlative nor
can it be qualified (*more/most/quite fur), and it cannot fit in the adjective frame sentence
(*The fur collar was very fur).
6.
country
NOUN functioning ADJECTIVALLY - It cannot be made comparative and superlative nor
can it be qualified (*more/most/quite country), and for some speakers it cannot fit in the
adjective frame sentence (*The country music was very country).
7.
classical
ADJECTIVE functioning ADJECTIVALLY - It has an adjective-making derivational suffix
{-al}; it can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified (more/most/quite
classical); and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence (The classical repertoire was very
classical).
8.
short
ADJECTIVE functioning ADJECTIVALLY - It can be made comparative and superlative
and can be qualified (shorter, shortest, quite short); and it can fit in the adjective frame
sentence (The short song was very short).
9.
loss
NOUN functioning NOMINALLY - It can be pluralized (losses); it can fit in the noun frame
sentence (The loss seems all right). It is functioning as the object of the preposition about.
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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10.
sadness
NOUN functioning NOMINALLY - It cannot be pluralized (*sadnesses); but it has a nounmaking derivational suffix {-ness}; it can fit in the noun frame sentence (Their sadness seems
all right). It is functioning as the object of the preposition about.
11.
singing
VERB functioning NOMINALLY - It has the present-participle verb inflection; it fails the
noun plural test (*her singings), although it fits in the noun frame sentence (Her singing
seems all right). It is a Gerund.
12.
outside
ADVERB functioning ADVERBIALLY - It fits in the adverb frame sentence (He walked his
dog outside), and it can move in its sentence (Outside, he walked his dog). It cannot be made
comparative and superlative nor can it be qualified (*more/most/quite outside)
13.
already
ADVERB functioning ADVERBIALLY - Although it cannot be made comparative and
superlative nor can it be qualified (*more/most/quite already), it fits in the adverb frame
sentence (She walked her dog already), and it can move in its sentence (She already walked
her dog).
14.
home
NOUN functioning ADVERBIALLY - It can fit in the adverb frame sentence (They walked
their dog home), but it cannot be made comparative and superlative nor can it be qualified
(*more/most/quite home), and it cannot move in its sentence (*They walked home their dog).
Exercise 4.14
1.
color
NOUN functioning adjectivally - It fails the adjective tests, but it can take the noun plural
inflection: three colors. [It can also take verb inflections: he colors/colored/has colored/is
coloring.]
2.
perceive
VERB functioning as a verb - It can fit in the verb frame sentence and can take verb
inflections.
3.
speech
NOUN functioning adjectivally - It fails the adjective tests, but it can take the noun
inflections: three speeches, ?the speech’s conclusion. [We use the question mark to indicate
that not everyone will agree that this is a permissible phrase.]
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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4.
human
NOUN functioning adjectivally - It fails the adjective tests, but it can take the noun
inflections: those humans, the human’s behavior.
5.
physical
ADJECTIVE functioning adjectivally - It has an adjective-making derivational suffix
{-al} and it can be compared: Her response was more physical than mental. It can be
qualified for most speakers in sentences like Theirs was a very physical response.
6.
visible
ADJECTIVE functioning adjectivally - A prototype: It ends with an adjective-making
derivational suffix {-ible}; can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified,
and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence.
7.
imperceptibly
ADVERB modifying blend - A prototype: It contains an adverb-making derivational suffix {ly} on an adjective base; it can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified;
and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence.
8.
European
ADJECTIVE or NOUN modifying communities - This one is ambiguous. If you can
compare (a most European community) or qualify it (a quite European community), as many
speakers can, you are using it as an adjective. However, it is also a noun, and if you think of
European community as being a community of Europeans, then you may have a strong sense
that it is a noun modifying a noun.
Form Classes in Context
1.
crop - NOUN
Formal - It takes the plural (crops) and the possessive (the crop’s failure) inflections.
Functional - It can fit in the noun-frame sentence (The crop seems all right).
[It cannot pass the adjective tests: it cannot be made comparative and superlative nor can it be
qualified (*more/most/quite crop), and it cannot fit in the adjective frame sentence (*The
crop circles are very crop).]
2.
embedded - ADJECTIVE
Formal - It has a verb past-participle inflection{-en}.
Functional - It passes the adjective tests: it can be made comparative and superlative and can
be qualified (more/most/quite embedded), and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence (The
embedded design was very embedded).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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3.
overnight - ADVERB
Formal - None
Functional - It cannot be made comparative and superlative nor can it be qualified
(*more/most/quite overnight), but it can fit in the adverb frame sentence (The man walked his
dog overnight) and it can move in its sentence (Overnight, the man walked his dog).
4.
physical - ADJECTIVE
Formal - It has an adjective-making derivational suffix {-al}.
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite physical). In the sense in which it is used here, it cannot fit in the adjective
frame sentence (?The physical evidence was very physical), but in other senses it can,
perhaps, occur in both adjective slots (?The physical demands were very physical).
5.
complicated - ADJECTIVE
Formal - It has the verb past-participle inflection {-en}.
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite complicated), and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence (The
complicated design is very complicated).
6.
admitted - VERB
Formal - It can accept verb inflections (admits, admitted, admitting).
Functional - It can fit in the verb frame sentence (She can admit it).
7.
British - ADJECTIVE
Formal - It contains an adjective-making derivational suffix {-ish}.
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite British), and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence (The British people
are very British).
[Although it can occur as a noun (The British seem somewhat reserved), there is no reason to
consider it anything but an adjective in this sentence.
8.
estimate - VERB
Formal - It has a verb-making derivational suffix {-ate}, and it can accept verb inflections
(estimates, estimated, estimating).
Functional - It can fit in the verb frame sentence (They can estimate the cost).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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9.
hoaxing - VERB GERUND or PERIPHERAL NOUN
Formal - It has a verb present-participle inflectional morpheme {-ing}. It may accept the
plural (?The prankster’s hoaxings mystified everyone) and possessive (the hoaxing’s sudden
ending) inflectional morphemes.
Functional - It seems to fit in the noun frame sentence (?Their hoaxing seemed all right).
[However, it will be considered a verb (a gerund) by those who find the formal and functional
noun tests unacceptable.]
10.
complete - ADJECTIVE
Formal - none
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite complete). It does not fit in the adjective frame sentence because it occurs
as an attributive (a complete mistake), but not as a predicate adjective (*His mistake was very
complete).
11.
caught - VERB
Formal - It can accept verb inflections (catches, caught, catching).
Functional - It can fit in the verb frame sentence (They might catch it).
12.
southern - ADJECTIVE
Formal - It has an adjective-making inflectional suffix {-ern}.
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite southern) and it can, in other contexts, fit in the adjective frame sentence
(His southern accent was very southern).
13.
recently - ADVERB
Formal - It has an adverb-making inflectional suffix on an adjective base {-ly}.
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite recently); it can fit in the adverb frame sentence (He walked his dog
recently); and it can move in its sentence (He recently walked his dog).
14.
phenomenon - NOUN
Formal - It can accept the plural (phenomena or phenomenons) and the possessive (the
phenomenon’s appearance) noun inflectional morphemes.
Functional - It can fit in the noun frame sentence (The phenomenon seems all unusual).
15.
international - ADJECTIVE
Formal - It has an adjective-making inflectional suffix {-al}.
Functional - It can be made comparative and superlative and can be qualified
(more/most/quite international), and it can fit in the adjective frame sentence (The
international meeting was very international).
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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Form Classes in Isolation
Students will find a variety of possible sentences. Those below are simply suggestions.
1.
slippery
ADJECTIVE - The slippery streets were quite dangerous.
2.
mist
NOUN - A mist rose after the storm.
VERB - The heat in the automobile misted the windshield.
3.
sudden
ADJECTIVE - A very sudden squall threatened to tip their boat.
4.
skid
NOUN - Their skid threatened to turn the car over.
VERB - The car skidded when it reached the curve.
5.
soggy
ADJECTIVE - They were eager to get out of their very soggy clothes.
6.
shelter
NOUN - They searched in vain for a shelter to protect them from the
rain.
VERB - The gazebo sheltered them from the rain.
7.
steadily
ADVERB - It rained quite steadily for several hours.
8.
shower
NOUN - The sudden showers drenched them all.
VERB - The wedding guests showered them with rose petals.
Subclasses
Students will find a variety of examples. Those below are simply suggestions.
1.
adverb, frequency, comparative
We should eat out more frequently.
2.
noun, proper, inanimate, noncount
The sin of Gluttony is pictured in several great works of art.
3.
adjective, gradable, both attributive and predicative
The hungry throng was very hungry.
4.
adverb, manner, superlative
Joey ate his spinach the most slowly of all.
EXERCISE ANSWER KEY - CHAPTER 4
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5.
noun, common, animate, human, female
The waitress will probably remember to bring us glasses of water.
6.
noun, proper, animate, nonhuman, male
We named our pet rooster Aristotle.
7.
adjective attributive but not predicative
Gwen’s attempt at baking a Dobosch torte was a total failure.
8.
adjective, predicative but not attributive
Gwen accidentally left the oven door ajar.
Practical Applications: Language Creativity and Shifting Parts of Speech
This is a good exercise for small group work followed by class discussion, or students might choose
to write a short written response to one or more of the questions.