The Grammar Doctor

Q. In the following sentence, please tell me what each word is with particular attention to "early", "model" and "automobile".

David Buick built an early model automobile.

Is "early" the predicate adjective and "model" the noun that is being modified? If so, what is "automobile"?

Please explain.

A. "Automobile" is the direct object. "Model" is an adjective describing "automobile." "Early" is an adverb describing "model."

This sentence does not have a predicate adjective because it has an action verb. Predicate adjectives occur only with linking verbs. They come after the verb, but they describe the subject of the sentence.

Example: My car is red.


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