Examples
Inverse copular constructions can involve adjectives, prepositions, and nouns, but they do not allow the post-copula nominal to be a definite pronoun:
-
- a. The cause of the riot is a picture on the wall.
- b. A picture on the wall is the cause of the riot.
- c. *A picture on the wall is it.
-
- a. Fred is the plumber.
- b. The plumber is Fred.
- c. *The plumber is he.
The defining trait of the inverse copular constructions is that two counts of inversion have occurred: the normal subject has inverted to a post-verb position, and the predicative expression has inverted to the pre-verb position. The verb is always a finite form of the copula 'be' (am, are, is, was, were). This type of inversion is generally NOT possible with other verbs, e.g. Sam belched twice vs. *Twice belched Sam.
Read more about this topic: Inverse Copular Constructions
Famous quotes containing the word examples:
“In the examples that I here bring in of what I have [read], heard, done or said, I have refrained from daring to alter even the smallest and most indifferent circumstances. My conscience falsifies not an iota; for my knowledge I cannot answer.”
—Michel de Montaigne (15331592)
“It is hardly to be believed how spiritual reflections when mixed with a little physics can hold peoples attention and give them a livelier idea of God than do the often ill-applied examples of his wrath.”
—G.C. (Georg Christoph)
“There are many examples of women that have excelled in learning, and even in war, but this is no reason we should bring em all up to Latin and Greek or else military discipline, instead of needle-work and housewifry.”
—Bernard Mandeville (16701733)