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Nominal Clauses

The document discusses the syntax of complex sentences. It defines complex sentences as those containing subordinate clauses, which are dependent clauses that modify the main clause. Subordinate clauses are classified structurally as finite, non-finite (infinitival or participial), or verbless. They are also classified functionally as nominal clauses, adverbial clauses, or relative clauses. Nominal clauses include that-clauses and wh-clauses, which can serve various syntactic functions.

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Alina Florica
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860 views4 pages

Nominal Clauses

The document discusses the syntax of complex sentences. It defines complex sentences as those containing subordinate clauses, which are dependent clauses that modify the main clause. Subordinate clauses are classified structurally as finite, non-finite (infinitival or participial), or verbless. They are also classified functionally as nominal clauses, adverbial clauses, or relative clauses. Nominal clauses include that-clauses and wh-clauses, which can serve various syntactic functions.

Uploaded by

Alina Florica
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Syntax of the Complex Sentence

Compound sentences are based on coordination.


Complex sentences are based on subordination.
Dependent or Subordinate clauses can be classified:
a. according to the structural criterion:
1. Finite Clauses
2. Non-Finite Clauses: a. Infinitival Constructions; b. Participial Constructions
3. Verbless Clauses
b. according to the functional criterion:
1. Nominal Clauses:

that-clauses

Dependent wh- interrogative clauses

Yes/No interrogative dependent clauses

Nominal relative clauses

to-infinitive nominal clauses

Nominal -ing clauses

Short infinitive nominal clauses

Verbless nominal clauses

2. Adverbial Clauses:

Adverbial clause of Time

Adverbial Clause of Place

Adverbial Clause of Manner

Adverbial Clause of Condition

Adverbial Clause of Concession

Adverbial Clause of Reason/Cause

Adverbial Clause of Purpose

Adverbial Clause of Result

Alternative Conditional Concessive Clause

Universal Conditional Concessive Clause

3. Relative Clauses

Finite Relative Clauses: a. Dependent/Restrictive; b. Independent/ Nonrestrictive

Non-finite Relative Clauses

Cleft sentences

NOMINAL CLAUSES and their syntactic functions


1. THAT- Clauses can function as:

Subject: That he is lazy is a certainty.

Subject Complement: The problem is that we dont know the time.

Direct Object: You know that he has just got married.

Apposition: Your news, that Mary is hurt, was true.

Adjectival Complement: I am sure that you will take a good mark.

2. Dependent wh- interrogative clauses can function as:

Subject: What youve just said has been recorded.

Subject Complement: The trouble is where well go.

Direct Object: I told you when he would come.

Apposition: My initial question, why she left in such a hurry, wasnt answered.

Adjectival Complement: I was certain whose plan this was.

Prepositional Complement: It depends on when they arrive.

3. Yes/No interrogative dependent clauses can function as:

Subject: Whether it rains or not is our main problem.

Subject Complement: The question is whether he passes the exam or not.

Direct Object: We dont know whether they have already found out the news.
1

Adjectival Complement: They were not sure whether the play started in time.

Apposition: The question, whether she needed both of us, required a quick answer.

4. Nominal relative clauses can function as:

Subject: Whoever threatens you is dangerous.

Subject Complement: Friend is whoever helps you anytime.

Direct Object: I tried whatever came handiest at the time.

Indirect Object: She offered a flower to whoever was coming.

Object Complement: He could call her whatever he liked.

Apposition: Your address, wherever you are living now, is known by the police.

Prepositional Complement: You should vote for whichever candidate you think best.

5. To-infinitive Nominal Clauses:

Subject: For a human to eat like that is unbelievable.

Subject Complement: My decision was to forgive him.

Direct Object: I expect to see them next week.

Apposition: The task, to solve the exercise at choice, has been fulfilled.

Adjectival complement: Im sorry to hear that.

6. Nominal -ing Clauses:

Subject: Learning rules without examples is useless.

Subject Complement: His favourite preoccupation is reading books.

Direct Object: Lucy loves lying in the sun.

Object Complement: I heard him leaving.

Apposition: His wish to make the rules, being the best of us, is his right.

Prepositional complement: Pay attention to his speaking English.

7. Short infinitive nominal clauses:

Subject Complement: All I did was turn off the gas.

Subject: (To) Lie in the sun was everything they needed.

8. Verbless nominal clauses:


An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

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