Minimal pair examples

Minimal pairs

He has to tell a story. He[PRO] has[HVP;~cat_Vt] to[TO] tell[VB;~Tn] a[D] story[N] .[PUNC]	He has a story to tell. He[PRO] has[HVP;~Tn] a[D] story[N] to[TO] tell[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Adapted from a quote of Anthony Trollope's in Jespersen Essentials p.332
I need somebody to love. I[PRO] need[VBP;~Tn] somebody[D;_nphd_] to[TO] love[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]	I need somebody to love me. I[PRO] need[VBP;~Tn] somebody[D;_nphd_] to[TO] love[VB;~Tn] me[PRO] .[PUNC]	Adapted from Jespersen Essentials p.335
There is only one thing to do. There[EX] is[BEP;~ex_V] only_one[Q] thing[N] to[TO] do[DO;~Tn] .[PUNC]	There is only one thing to be done. There[EX] is[BEP;~ex_V] only_one[Q] thing[N] to[TO] be[BE;~cat_Ve_passive_] done[DON;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Jespersen Essentials p.335
I lifted the book onto the table. I[PRO] lifted[VBD;~Tn.pr] the[D] book[N] onto[P-ROLE] the[D] table[N] .[PUNC]	I lifted the book on the table. I[PRO] lifted[VBD;~Tn] the[D] book[N] on[P-ROLE] the[D] table[N] .[PUNC]	B. Levin (1993) p.114
Bill sent a package to Tom. Bill[NPR] sent[VBD;~Dpr.n] a[D] package[N] to[P-ROLE] Tom[NPR] .[PUNC]	Bill sent a package to London. Bill[NPR] sent[VBD;~Tn.pr] a[D] package[N] to[P-ROLE] London[NPR] .[PUNC]	B. Levin (1993) p.46
Bill sent Tom a package. Bill[NPR] sent[VBD;~Dn.n] Tom[NPR] a[D] package[N] .[PUNC]	Bill sent London a package. Bill[NPR] sent[VBD;~Tn] London[NPR] a[D] package[N] .[PUNC]	B. Levin (1993) p.46
It is hard to explain. It[PRO;_provisional_] is[BEP;~La] hard[ADJ] to[TO] explain[VB;~I] .[PUNC]	It is hard to explain. It[PRO] is[BEP;~La] hard[ADJ] to[TO] explain[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Similar exercise in Hornby III p.47
It is a hard thing to explain. It[PRO] is[BEP;~Ln] a[D] hard[ADJ] thing[N] to[TO] explain[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]		Similar exercise in Hornby III p.47
Cheese pizzas smell. Cheese[N] pizzas[N] smell[VBD;~I] .[PUNC]	Cheese people smell. Cheese[N] people[N] smell[VBD;~Tn] .[PUNC]
I found the box empty. I[PRO] found[VBD;~Cn.a] the[D] box[N] empty[ADJ] .[PUNC]	I found the empty box. I[PRO] found[VBD;~Tn] the[D] empty[ADJ] box[N] .[PUNC]	Hornby IV p.66
The blue dress is the oldest. The[D] blue[ADJ] dress[N] is[BEP;~Ln] the[D] oldest[ADJS] _*_[N] .[PUNC]	The oldest dess is blue. The[D] oldest[ADJS] dess[N] is[BEP;~La] blue[ADJ] .[PUNC]	Jespersen Essentials p.96
A dancing woman charms. A[D] dancing[VAG;~I] woman[N] charms[VBP;~I] .[PUNC]	A charming woman dances. A[D] charming[VAG;~I] woman[N] dances[VBP;~I] .[PUNC]	Jespersen Essentials p.96
The funniest boy was cleaning a dog. The[D] funniest[ADJS] boy[N] was[BED;~cat_Vg] cleaning[VAG;~Tn] a[D] dog[N] .[PUNC]	The funniest job was cleaning a dog. The[D] funniest[ADJS] job[N] was[BED;~equ_Vg] cleaning[VAG;~Tn] a[D] dog[N] .[PUNC]	Adapted from 2_lucy_child_09_M12
Next they were married. Next[ADV] they[PRO] were[BED;~cat_Ve_passive_] married[VVN;~Tn] .[PUNC]	More of the therapy group were married and married people with cancer are known to survive longer. More[Q;_nphd_] of[P-ROLE] the[D] therapy[N] group[N] were[BED;~La] married[ADJ] and[CONJ] married[ADJ] people[NS] with[P-ROLE] cancer[N] are[BEP;~cat_Ve_passive_] known[VVN;~Cn.t] to[TO] survive[VB;~Ip] longer[ADVR] .[PUNC]
He saw that the plan was useless. He[PRO] saw[VBD;~Tf] that[C] the[D] plan[N] was[BED;~La] useless[ADJ] .[PUNC]	It was seen that the plan was useless. It[PRO;_provisional_] was[BED;~cat_Ve_passive_] seen[VVN;~Tn] that[C] the[D] plan[N] was[BED;~La] useless[ADJ] .[PUNC]
He sent her an article by Fillmore. He[PRO] sent[VBD;~Dn.n] her[PRO] an[D] article[N] by[P-ROLE] Fillmore[NPR] .[PUNC]	She was sent an article by Fillmore. She[PRO] was[BED;~cat_Ve_passive_] sent[VVN;~Dn.n] an[D] article[N] by[P-ROLE] Fillmore[NPR] .[PUNC]
He must have dropped the course. He[PRO] must[MD;~cat_Vi] have[HV;~cat_Ve] dropped[VVN;~Tn] the[D] course[N] .[PUNC]	He must drop the course. He[PRO] must[MD;~cat_Vi] drop[VB;~Tn] the[D] course[N] .[PUNC]
He was in prison. He[PRO] was[BED;~La] in_prison[ADJ] .[PUNC]	He was imprisoned. He[PRO] was[BED;~cat_Ve_passive_] imprisoned[VVN;~Tn] .[PUNC]
They found her a great help. They[PRO] found[VBD;~Cn.n] her[PRO] a[D] great[ADJ] help[N] .[PUNC]	They found her a great belt. They[PRO] found[VBD;~Dn.n] her[PRO] a[D] great[ADJ] belt[N] .[PUNC]
It's a time-consuming task waiting for Michael. It[PRO;_provisional_] <apos>s[BEP;~Ln] a[D] time-consuming[ADJ] task[N] waiting[VAG;~Ipr] for[P-ROLE] Michael[NPR] .[PUNC]	There's a time-consuming task waiting for Michael. There[EX] <apos>s[BEP;~ex_cat_Vg] a[D] time-consuming[ADJ] task[N] waiting[VAG;~Ipr] for[P-ROLE] Michael[NPR] .[PUNC]
The website, logo and layout were your doing. The[D] website[N] ,[PUNC] logo[N] and[CONJ] layout[N] were[BED;~Ln] your[PRO;_genm_] doing[N] .[PUNC]	The website, logo and layout you were doing. The[D] website[N] ,[PUNC] logo[N] and[CONJ] layout[N] you[PRO] were[BED;~cat_Vg] doing[DAG;~Tn] .[PUNC]
Attendance is a requirement of course. Attendance[N] is[BEP;~Ln] a[D] requirement[N] of_course[ADV] .[PUNC]	Attendance is a requirement of the course. Attendance[N] is[BEP;~Ln] a[D] requirement[N] of[P-ROLE] the[D] course[N] .[PUNC]
It was the politicians who misused their power. It[PRO;_cleft_] was[BED;~cleft_Vn] the[D] politicians[NS] who[RPRO] misused[VBD;~Tn] their[PRO;_genm_] power[N] .[PUNC]	There were some politicians who misused their power. There[EX] were[BED;~ex_V] some[D] politicians[NS] who[RPRO] misused[VBD;~Tn] their[PRO;_genm_] power[N] .[PUNC]
He heard a crashing sound coming from the restaurant. He[PRO] heard[VBD;~Tn] a[D] crashing[ADJ] sound[N] coming[VAG;~Ipr] from[P-ROLE] the[D] restaurant[N] .[PUNC]	Coming from the restaurant, he heard a crashing sound. _*_[P-CONN] Coming[VAG;~Ipr] from[P-ROLE] the[D] restaurant[N] ,[PUNC] he[PRO] heard[VBD;~Tn] a[D] crashing[ADJ] sound[N] .[PUNC]
I'll ask when he comes. I[PRO] <apos>ll[MD;~cat_Vi] ask[VB;~I] when[P-CONN] he[PRO] comes[VBP;~I] .[PUNC]	I'll ask when he came. I[PRO] <apos>ll[MD;~cat_Vi] ask[VB;~Tw] when[WADV] he[PRO] came[VBD;~I] .[PUNC]
I'll ask if he comes. I[PRO] <apos>ll[MD;~cat_Vi] ask[VB;~I] if[P-CONN] he[PRO] comes[VBP;~I] .[PUNC]	I'll ask if he came. I[PRO] <apos>ll[MD;~cat_Vi] ask[VB;~Tw] if[WQ] he[PRO] came[VBD;~I] .[PUNC]
We're going to be late. We[PRO] <apos>re[BEP;~cat_Vg] going[VAG;~cat_Vt] to[TO] be[BE;~La] late[ADJ] .[PUNC]	We're going to Berlin. We[PRO] <apos>re[BEP;~cat_Vg] going[VAG;~Ipr] to[P-ROLE] Berlin[NPR] .[PUNC]
I made her some sandwiches. I[PRO] made[VBD;~Dn.n] her[PRO] some[D] sandwiches[NS] .[PUNC]	I made her my spokesperson. I[PRO] made[VBD;~Cn.n] her[PRO] my[PRO;_genm_] spokesperson[N] .[PUNC]
Alan knew that feeling very well. Alan[NPR] knew[VBD;~Tn] that[D] feeling[N] very[ADV] well[ADV] .[PUNC]	Alan knew that they were feeling very well. Alan[NPR] knew[VBD;~Tf] that[C] they[PRO] were[BED;~cat_Vg] feeling[VAG;~La] very[ADV] well[ADJ] .[PUNC]
Once we penetrated the dark woods and witnessed scenes of intense drama. Once[ADV] we[PRO] penetrated[VBD;~Tn] the[D] dark[ADJ] woods[NS] and[CONJ] witnessed[VBD;~Tn] scenes[NS] of[P-ROLE] intense[ADJ] drama[N] .[PUNC]	Once we penetrated the dark woods we witnessed scenes of intense drama. Once[P-CONN] we[PRO] penetrated[VBD;~Tn] the[D] dark[ADJ] woods[NS] we[PRO] witnessed[VBD;~Tn] scenes[NS] of[P-ROLE] intense[ADJ] drama[N] .[PUNC]
Santa told them what Christmas presents kids want. Santa[NPR] told[VBD;~Dn.w] them[PRO] what[WD] Christmas_presents[NS] kids[NS] want[VBP;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Santa told them that kids want Christmas presents. Santa[NPR] told[VBD;~Dn.f] them[PRO] that[C] kids[NS] want[VBP;~Tn] Christmas_presents[NS] .[PUNC]
Her behaviour is astonishing to everyone. Her[PRO;_genm_] behaviour[N] is[BEP;~La] astonishing[ADJ] to[P-ROLE] everyone[Q;_nphd_] .[PUNC]	Her behaviour is astonishing everyone. Her[PRO;_genm_] behaviour[N] is[BEP;~cat_Vg] astonishing[VAG;~Tn] everyone[Q;_nphd_] .[PUNC]
It is a myth that many people have heard about. It[PRO] is[BEP;~Ln] a[D] myth[N] that[RPRO] many[ADJ] people[N] have[HVP;~cat_Ve] heard[VVN;~Ipr] about[P-ROLE] .[PUNC]	It is a myth that many people have heard about it. It[PRO;_provisional_] is[BEP;~Ln] a[D] myth[N] that[C] many[ADJ] people[N] have[HVP;~cat_Ve] heard[VVN;~Ipr] about[P-ROLE] it[PRO] .[PUNC]
It was a secret that they shared a flat. It[PRO;_provisional_] was[BEP;~Ln] a[D] secret[N] that[C] they[PRO] shared[VBD;~Ln] a[D] flat[N] .[PUNC]	It was a secret that they shared. It[PRO] was[BEP;~Ln] a[D] secret[N] that[RPRO] they[PRO] shared[VBD;~Tn] .[PUNC]
It was believed that the boys were lying. It[PRO;_provisional_] was[BEP;~cat_Ve_passive_] believed[VVN;~Tn] that[C] the[D] boys[NS] were[BED;~cat_Vg] lying[VAG;~I] .[PUNC]	The boys that were lying were believed. The[D] boys[NS] that[RPRO] were[BED;~cat_Vg] lying[VAG;~I] were[BED;~cat_Ve_passive_] believed[VVN;~Tn] .[PUNC]
There's not much to learn. There[EX] <apos>s[BEP;~ex_cat_Vt_passive_] not[NEG] much[ADJ] _*_[N] to[TO] learn[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]	There's not much to learn. There[EX] <apos>s[BEP;~ex_V] not[NEG] much[ADJ] _*_[N] to[TO] learn[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]
He tried to understand. He[PRO] tried[VBD;~cat_Vt] to[TO] understand[VB;~I] .[PUNC]	He studied to understand. He[PRO] studied[VBD;~I] _*_[P-CONN] to[TO] understand[VB;~I] .[PUNC]
You need wisdom to understand this. You[PRO] need[VBP;~Tn] wisdom[N] _*_[P-CONN] to[TO] understand[VB;~Tn] this[D;_nphd_] .[PUNC]	I need people to understand this. I[PRO] need[VBP;~Tnt] people[N] to[TO] understand[VB;~Tn] this[D;_nphd_] .[PUNC]
I know that you mentioned the man. I[PRO] know[VBP;~Tf] that[C] you[PRO] mentioned[VBD;~Tn] the[D] man[N] .[PUNC]	I know the man that you mentioned. I[PRO] know[VBP;~Tn] the[D] man[N] that[RPRO] you[PRO] mentioned[VBD;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Jespersen III p.165
He asked me what I had found. He[PRO] asked[VBD;~Dn.w] me[PRO] what[WPRO] I[PRO] had[HVD;~cat_Ve] found[VVN;~Tn] .[PUNC]	I gave him what I had found. I[PRO] gave[VBD;~Dn.n] him[PRO] _*_[N] what[RPRO] I[PRO] had[HVD;~cat_Ve] found[VVN;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Adapted from Zandvoort Handbook p.165
Knitting and sewing are not very difficult things to learn. Knitting[N] and[CONJ] sewing[N] are[BEP;~Ln] not[NEG] very[ADV] difficult[ADJ] things[NS] to[TO] learn[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Knitting and sewing are not very difficult to learn. Knitting[N] and[CONJ] sewing[N] are[BEP;~La] not[NEG] very[ADV] difficult[ADJ] to[TO] learn[VB;~Tn] .[PUNC]	Adapted from 5_lucy_child_09_M09