[Grammar] I think he was just being nice.

[rock-onn]

I think he was just being nice.

What is the function of 'being'?

I guess 'just being nice' is adjective phrase, 'just' is adverb modifying 'being nice', 'being' is adverb modifying the adjective 'nice'.

 

[PaulMatthews]

"I think [he was just being nice]".

"Being" is a present participle verb; it heads the verb phrase "just being nice" which is complement of the progressive auxiliary verb "was". The sequence "was just being nice" is a verb phrase functioning as predicate of the embedded subordinate clause "he was just being nice".

"Just" is a focusing adverb modifying the verb phrase "being nice". And "nice" is an adjective functioning as predicative complement of "being".

 

[rock-onn]

In my opinion, English grammar is more complicated than the Trigonometry.

 

[Rover_KE]

In my opinion, English grammar is more complicated than [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] trigonometry.

There's nothing we can do about that, I'm afraid.

 

[rock-onn]

"I think [he was just being nice]".

And "nice" is an adjective functioning as predicative complement of "being".

It means 'being' is a verb here, right?
And 'was just being nice' is a verb phrase that acts as a adjective. Right?

 

[rock-onn]

"I think [he was just being nice]".

"Being" is a present participle verb; it heads the verb phrase "just being nice"

It heads the verb phrase. What does it mean? I am trying to understand his explanation.

Thanks.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think it means 'being nice' is a verb phrase where 'being' is the main verb and 'nice' is the complement.

 

[PaulMatthews]

It heads the verb phrase. What does it mean? I am trying to understand his explanation.

Thanks.

The verb "being" is the head (main) word in the verb phrase "just being nice". The head (main) word of a verb phrase is always the verb. Other items, if any, in the VP are called dependents and comprise objects, modifiers and complements.

I strongly suggest that you obtain an up-to-date grammar book; it will help you get a better grasp of basic grammar such as the structure of sentences and clauses.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I have never bought a grammar book because free grammar sites abound online.

 

[rock-onn]

Why does the word, trigonometry, not require capitalization?