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In reply to the discussion: Post removed [View all]
MadLinguist
(904 posts)83. Diagramming the OP sentence in agreement
It would be nice [s to [vp have [s [np another Democrat] [vp primary and then replace [him]]]]]
S=sentence
VP= verb phrase
NP = noun phrase
You can more easily discern that "another Democrat" is the noun subject of the verb "primary " in this sentence:
It would have been nice had another Democrat primaried and then replaced him
Another way to see that "Democrat" in the OP is a noun functioning as the subject of the verb "primary" is to pluralize it in this version of the sentence:
It would be nice to have a slate of Democrats to primary and then replace him
You can also know that "primary" is being used as a verb (and therefore "Democrat" is the noun subject) is to notice the conjoined verb phrase "primary and replace him". The direct object of both verbs is "him" and the subject is "Democrat"
What would it have been nice to have?
Another Democrat to primary him
Another Democrat to replace him
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Democrat as in have Jeffries primaried by another DEMOCRAT rather than a DEMOCRATIC candidate
AStern
Oct 2025
#12
Don't quibble when caught bashing a Democratic office-holder. Stick to your guns.
Hekate
Oct 2025
#17
It's Democratic not Democrat and why is he an ineffective Representative for his district?
betsuni
Oct 2025
#4
Were you around when Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the House? He started the deliberately ungrammatical use of...
Hekate
Oct 2025
#34
Yes, and reasons why leaders are supposedly ineffective are vague: not standing up to things or meeting the moment
betsuni
Oct 2025
#35
Just saw that, thanks for posting it here. The job is keeping Democrats united, Jeffries and Schumer are effective!
betsuni
Oct 2025
#45
The dictionary says democrat is a noun not an adjective, so democrat primary would be incorrect.
CrispyQ
Oct 2025
#81
You're misreading the OP's sentence. They correctly used Democrat as a noun. This is basic English syntax. I fail to see
Celerity
Oct 2025
#82
It's clickbait... it's meant to divide and create friction and arguments. A drive-by.
QueerDuck
Oct 2025
#42
I think it's engaging. It makes me want to listen closely. He's not quite as animated or expressive as a preacher...
QueerDuck
Oct 2025
#41
There is currently insufficient information to properly and completely answer that question.
SSJVegeta
Oct 2025
#36
"AOC: 'Republicans have been getting walloped by Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer'"
Cha
Oct 2025
#43
Tell us *specifically* what you think an """effective""" Minority Leader would be doing...
W_HAMILTON
Oct 2025
#49
My thoughts are that Rep. Jeffries was unanimously reelected House Minority Leader in November, 2024 by his peers.
LudwigPastorius
Oct 2025
#69