Descriptive Grammar

lecture 6

dr Kinga Sądej

SWSPiZ, 7 / 03 / 09

dr Kinga Sądej

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Complex sentence

main clause + (at least) one subordinate clause

[they can be in any order]

I don’t go to school because I’m ill.

(1)

Although I admire her reasoning, I reject her conclusions.

(2)

I predicted that he would discover the tiny particle when he
conducted his next experiment.

(3)

I think that your new position demands sensitive judgements and I
would hope that you will mature as the years go by.

(4)

I have heard that you are a car mechanic and that your brother is a
plumber.

dr Kinga Sądej

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Structural types of clauses

1. Finite clause

I can’t go out with you because I’m studying this evening.

2. Non-finite clause

-

-ing

participle: Knowing my temper, I didn’t reply.

-

bare infinitive: All I did was hit him on the head.

-

to

-infinitive: The best thing would be to tell the truth.

-

-ed participle: Covered with confusion, they apologized.

dr Kinga Sądej

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Structural types of clauses

3. Verbless clause

Although always helpful, he was not much liked.

Whether right or wrong, he always wins the arguments.

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Subordinators

1. Single-word subordinators, e.g.

after, although, as, because, before, directly, for, if, once, since, that,

though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, while.

2. Multi-word subordinators, e.g.

in order that, granted that, provided (that), supposing (that), given (that),

as long as, as far as, as soon as, as if, as though, in case

3. Correlative subordinators, e.g.

as … as, so…as, such…as, no sooner…then, scarcely…when,

hardly…when, the…the, whether…or, even if, if only, because of
the fact that

dr Kinga Sądej

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Subordinators

4. Other indicators of subordination

relative pronoun that

wh-

element

Subject-operator inversion (conditional clauses), e.g.

Were she here, she would support our campaign.

dr Kinga Sądej

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Syntactic functions of subordinate clauses

1.

That we need a larger computer has become obvious.

2.

He doesn’t know whether to send a gift.

3.

You can tell whoever is waiting that I’ll be back in ten
minutes.

4.

One result of the meeting is that no one was fired.

5.

I know her to be reliable.

6.

When you see them, give them my best wishes.

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Major types of subordinate clauses

1.

NOMINAL

2.

ADVERBIAL

3.

RELATIVE

4.

COMPARATIVE

dr Kinga Sądej

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Nominal clauses

1.

that-clauses

That the invading troops have been withdrawn has not affected their

sanctions.

I noticed that she spoke English with American accent.

My assumption is that interest rates will soon fall.

We are glad that you’re able to join us.

2.

wh-interrogative clauses

I can’t imagine why he did this.

I’m not sure which she prefers.

The problem is who will water my plants when I’m away.

How the book will send depends on the reviewers.

dr Kinga Sądej

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Nominal clauses

3. yes-no and alternative clauses

Do you know whether/if the banks are open?

They didn’t say whether it will or or be sunny.

I don’t ask whether they will join us or not.

4. exclamative clauses

I remember what a good time I had at your party.

It’s incredible how fast she can run.

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5. Relative clauses

I took what they offered me.

Macy’s is where I buy my clothes.

Whatever books I have in the house are borrowed from the library.

April is where the lilacs bloom.

6. to-infinitive clauses

He likes to relax.

I’m very eager to meet her.

The best excuse is to say that you forgot.

Nominal clauses

dr Kinga Sądej

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Nominal clauses

7. –ing clauses

Watching TV keeps him informed.

He enjoys playing practical jokes.

8. Bare infinitive clauses

Turn off the tap was all I did.

9. Verbless clauses

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Jacuzzi in every house is their dream.

dr Kinga Sądej

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Adverbial clauses

1. Clauses of time

Buy your tickets as soon as you reach the station.

Drop by whenever you get a chance.

Wait until you’re called.

Once having made a promise, you should keep it.

2. Clauses of place

Where the fire had been, we saw nothing but ruins.

Take the right fork when the road splits into two.

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Adverbial clauses

3. Clauses of condition, concession, contrast

If you put the baby down, she will scream.
Although he had just joined us, he was treated exactly as others.
No goals were scored though it was an exciting game.
Mr Larson teaches physics, while Mr Corby teaches chemistry.

4. Clauses of exception

I would pay you now except that I don’t have any money on me.

5. Reason clauses

He’s thin because he doesn’t eat enough.
Since we live near the sea, we often go sailing.

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Adverbial clauses

6. Purpose clauses

Students should make notes to make revision easier.

They left the door open (in order) for me to hear the baby.

7. Result clauses

We paid him, so he was contented.

8. Clauses of similarity and comparison

Please do as I said.

She treated me as though I was a stranger.

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Adverbial clauses

9. Clauses of proportion

As the lane grew narrower, I became worried.

10. Clauses of preference

Rather than go by train, I’d take the slowest train.

11. Comment clauses

Kingston, as you probably know, is the capital of Jamaica.

There wer no applicants, I believe, for that position.

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Comparative clauses

She has more patience than you have.

He’s not as clever a man as I thought.

I love you more deeply than I can say.