Grammar Question [structure]

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>1.) We now realize that the Earth has limited resources which, if they are wasted, you put everyone in danger.</p>

<p>(D) and it puts everyone in danger to waste them
(E) that we waste at our own peril </p>

<p>Answer: E
My Question: I don't understand CB explanation as to why Choice (D) is incorrect. I do understand why E is correct, so there is no need to explain this correct answer.</p>

<p>Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) results in unidiomatic phrasing. The pronoun “it” can only logically refer to the following phrase “to waste them,” but this type of structure needs a linking verb (“it is dangerous to waste them”), not the verb “puts.”</p>

<p>In CB explanation above, what is this "type of structure"? Every grammar rule has a name. What is this name so that I could research the rules of this type of structure. Why does this structure need a linking verb, and not a verb like "puts"?</p>

2

<p>Linking verbs don’t express action. Linking verbs simply connect the subject to additional information about the subject. Linking verbs can also connect the subject to a pronoun. </p>

<p>She is Kelly.</p>

<p>She: subject
Is: linking verb
Kelly: pronoun</p>

<p>Common linking verbs include:</p>

<p>am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been</p>

<p>In your sentence, you need “is” to connect “it” (pronoun) with “to waste them” (noun-phrase). “Puts” is not a linking verb by stretch; it is an action verb. “Puts” cannot logically relate “it” to “to waste them.”</p>

<p>My answer sort of skirted your question. I can only hope that someone with more grammar expertise can come to your aid. In the mean time, I hope my explanation of linking verbs helped :).</p>

3

<p>This structure involves a noun that restates the subject and follows a linking verb. While the structure does not have an exact name, the noun in this role is traditionally called a predicate nominative (now commonly known as a subject complement).
See [Grammar</a> Untied - Predicate Nominative](<a href=“http://www.grammaruntied.com/nouns/PredicateN.html]Grammar”>http://www.grammaruntied.com/nouns/PredicateN.html) for a traditional discussion.
See [Predicates</a>, Objects, Complements](<a href=“http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/objects.htm]Predicates”>http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/objects.htm) for a modern discussion.</p>

<p>In this case, a noun infinitive (“to waste them”) functions as the predicate nominative.
[Daily</a> Grammar - Verbals - Noun Infinitives](<a href=“http://www.dailygrammar.com/emails/Lesson%20216.htm]Daily”>Daily Grammar Improve Your Writing With the Daily Grammar Lessons).</p>