The Printable KISS Grammar Workbooks To Charles Dickens Page
(Code and Color Key)

Identifying Verb Phrases - (Modal)
from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities
Analysis Key

1. "I can buy pen (DO), ink (DO), and paper (DO)?" |

2. No man could have said, that night [NuA], any more (DO) [Adv. [#1] 

     than Mr. Jarvis Lorry could]. |

3. I dare not confide {to him} the details (DO) {of my projects}. |

4. "He may not have known {of it} beforehand," [Inj. [#2] said Mr. Lorry]. |

5. She must have told his brother (IO). |

6. Their escape might depend {on the saving} {of only a few seconds} [#3]

     here and there. |

7. Why need you tell me (IO) [DO what [#4] I have not asked]? |

8. We ought to have six score (DO) a day [NuA]. |

9. Your suspense is nearly ended (P), my darling [#5] ; | he shall be 

     restored (P) {to you} {within a few hours}; | I have encompassed 

     him (DO) {with every protection}. | I must see Lorry (DO). |

10. "[Adv. to "don't be" If I should prowl {about the streets} a long 

     time  [NuA],] *you* don't be uneasy (PA); | I shall reappear 

      {in the morning}." |

11. I had better not see her (DO). |

12. Some {of us} will have a secret attraction (DO) {to the disease}. |

13. It would seem to be always the same question (PN). |

Notes
1. "More" here functions as the direct object because it implies an ellipsed "things." Thus "more" also functions as an adjective to that ellipsed "things" and is then modified by the adverbial "than" clause.
2. Although the quotation can be considered the direct object of "said," the preferred KISS explanation here is to consider this clause as an interjection. See KISS Level 3.2.3 - Interjection? Or Direct Object?
3. Because they rarely analyze real sentences, grammar textbooks do not discuss cases like this. Grammarians would probably debate whether the "of only a few seconds" phrase should be considered an adverb to the verbal "saving," or as an adjective to "the saving" as a noun. It's not a major matter of importance.
4. This "what" functions simultaneously as a subordinating conjunction and, within its clause, as the direct object of "have asked."
5. "Darling" here functions as Direct Address. See KISS Level 2.3 Adding Three Level Five Constructions.