Dear all,

 

Do you mind helping me with these examples? If not, here's one more:

 

No doubt at all about that, I thought. (A Clockwork Orange)

 

Ignoring the reported speech clause, how would you analyze the first
portion? 

 

Is it correct to say that "at all" modifies the complete phrase "no
doubt about that" and is functioning adverbially, indicating degree
(i.e., how little doubt there is)? 

 

Without the context to clarify what that specifies (this is a
student-located example), can we say that "about that" functions
adjectivally modifying the head noun "doubt"?

 

I've consulted my Longman, but I didn't see a clear example to use as a
model.

 

Thanks, as ever-

Natalie

 

____________________

Natalie Gerber, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of English

SUNY Fredonia

ph. (716) 673-3855

fax (716) 673-4661

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