Verb Movements: Figuring out Philosophies in Writing on The TOEFL iBT Test

 By: TOEFL consultant

Here, we explain in depth about writing an essay from philosophy views how the deep structure becomes the surface structure. The analysis taken from the paraphrase method of this text is applied.

Universities

There are three important reasons why universities are needed. First, universities encourage lectures and students to study scientific knowledge.
Second, universities offer educated workers to companies and services. The last, universities create social and cultural correlations in better living. In conclusion, without universities, the human life can be stagnant.

First analysis:

Surface structure:

There [are] three important reasons why universities are needed.

Deep structure:

There [be] three important reasons.

Because the subject containing the expletive word “there,” the V-movement follows the object “three important reasons” regarding as the subject.

Second analysis:

Here, the movement doesn't take place because of the filled infinitive (I) position.

Surface structure:

The human life can be stagnant.

Deep structure:

The human life [I can] [be] stagnant.

It is interesting that “to be” doesn't undergo movement because the word “can” regarding as the modal occupies Infinitive position.