Diagramming Articles

The function words often called articles (a, an, the) work as modifiers in constructions whose heads are nouns.  What is not so easy to see, sometimes, is how to analyze a construction beginning with an article.

Normally, the first cut in such a construction is taken between the article and the rest of the construction.  That is, the ICs of a construction beginning with an article are (1) the article, and (2) the rest of the construction.   In diagramming, then, the article is placed "outside" the rest of the construction.  Here are some examples. 

Click here to return to the list of special problems.

Click here to return to the "Syntax" home page.