a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

donnach · Post by **donnach** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:52 pm

a - article

bird - noun

in the hand - prep. phrase functioning as adjective modifying bird

is - (linking) verb

worth two - prep. phrase functioning as adverb. (adjunctive adverb?)

in the bush - prep. phrase functioning as an adj. modifying two.

thanks!

donna

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:36 am

A look at this resource which compiles resources

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/worth

tells us that some clever people see "worth" as a preposition, and some see it as an adjective. Remember what I said about unity and grammarians? Anyway, I see it as an adjective which needs a complement.

donnach · Post by **donnach** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:37 am

I see it as an adjective which needs a complement

so then is the adjective comlement "two"?

if so, what part of speech is it? noun?

thanks,

donna

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:32 pm

A noun is necessary for the complement here, I suppose, but it has been left out (i.e it is "birds"). Two is a numeral (or adjective if you like) describing that noun.

donnach · Post by **donnach** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:18 pm

A noun is necessary for the complement here, I suppose, but it has been left out (i.e it is "birds"). Two is a numeral (or adjective if you like) describing that noun

.

How can an ajective complement be a noun? Shouldn't it be an adverb? If worth is an adjective that requires a complement, its complement should therefore be an adverb.

I'm confused,

Donna

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:39 pm

I'd imagine that "rule" is why some people would say "worth" in that kind of situation is a preposition. It fits the rule to say so, but it doesn't make any sense.

donnach · Post by **donnach** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:27 am

But what do you mean when you say this:

donnach wrote:
A noun is necessary for the complement here, I suppose,
.

Why is a noun "necessary"? Is there some rule you are referring to when you say that? That is what I am trying to understand.

Thanks,

Donna

woodcutter · Post by **woodcutter** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:58 am

I just mean I can't imagine a sentence using "worth" in that way, referring to a concrete value, where a noun (one representing a value) is not present or implied. (though you could add "for" at the end and avoid one)

donnach · Post by **donnach** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:58 pm

Now that I understand adjective, noun, and regular complements this makes more sense.

Thanks for your patience,

Donna