Dependent clauses
following
Biber et al. (2002, 1999)
by
T. Navés
tnaves@ub.edu
www.ub.edu/GRAL/Naves
http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/handle/2445/1
(Search: Naves)
Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S.,
& Finegan, E. (Eds.). (1999). Longman
Grammar of Spoken and Written English.
London: Longman.
Biber, D., S. Conrad, et al. (2002). Longman
Student Grammar of Spoken and Written
English. Harlow: Longman.
FINITE DEPENDENT CLAUSES B. 3.11
A finite dependent clause contains a VP
which is marked for TENSE or MODALITY.
There is regularly a Sbj [agreement] except
under conditions of ellipsis.
NOMINAL
ADVERBIAL
RELATIVE
COMPARATIVE
REPORTING
COMMENT
PERIPHERAL
NOMINAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.1
•
Nominal clauses are used as
–
–
–
–
–
•
Sbj.
Sbj. Predicative [Sbj. Complement]
DO
Other clause elements
Phrase modifiers / phrase complements
Introduced by the (omissible) subordinator
– THAT
– WH-word
•
•
Dependent Interrogative clauses (indirect clauses)
NOMINAL RELATIVE CLAUSES
NOMINAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.1
TASK 1. Identify the nominal clause and their function
and classify them
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
That is why a tactical decision quickly became apparent
They believe that the minimum wage could threaten their
jobs
The important point, she said, was that her party had
voted with her.
What I don’t understand is why they don’t let me know
anything.
Understanding how a planet generates and gets rid of
heat is essential if we are to understand how that planet
works
Any reciprocal learning will depend mainly on what
Japanese companies choose to make available.
I forgot to ask you what was in the caravans, the sleeping
arrangement
I mean basically we can go up to Top Shop and buy what
we like can’t we?
NOMINAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.1
KEY 1. Identify the nominal clause and their function and
classify them
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
That is why a tactical decision quickly became apparent [Sbj]
They believe that the minimum wage could threaten their jobs
[DO]
The important point, she said, was that her party had voted with
her [Sbj O]
What I don’t understand is why they don’t let me know
anything [S - Sbj O]
Understanding how a planet generates and gets rid of heat is
essential if we are to understand how that planet works [DO –
DO]
Any reciprocal learning will depend mainly on what Japanese
companies choose to make available [Prep C]
I forgot to ask you what was in the caravans, the sleeping
arrangement [Dependent interrogative or Indirect clause]
I mean basically we can go up to Top Shop and buy what we like
can’t we? [Nominal Relative clause]
NOMINAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.1
TASK 2. Identify the nominal clause and their function
(Adjective complements, Noun complements,
Prepositional Phrases complements)
1. He was unaware that Garda Inquiry was being
conducted into the allegation, he stated
2. There is a fear that such rules will be overbureaucratic
3. Be careful what you tell me
4. If he were in a hurry it opens the interesting
question why he should be in a hurry
5. She was afraid of what might happen in Chielo
suddenly turned round and saw her
NOMINAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.1
KEY 2. Identify the nominal clause and their function
(Adjective complements, Noun complements,
Prepositional Phrases complements)
1. He was unaware that Garda Inquiry was being
conducted into the allegation, he stated [Adj compl]
2. There is a fear that such rules will be overbureaucratic [Adj compl]
3. Be careful what you tell me [Adj compl]
4. If he were in a hurry it opens the interesting
question why he should be in a hurry [N compl]
5. She was afraid of what might happen in Chielo
suddenly turned round and saw her [Prep compl]
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.2
•
•
•
•
Adverbial clauses are used as
ADVERBIALS in the main clause, generally
as CIRCUMSTANCE ADVERBIALS.
As adverbials in general, they are optional
and have some freedom of positioning;
both initial and final placement are common.
Adverbial clauses are regularly marked by a
SUBORDINATOR indicating the relationship
to the main clause
Adverbial WH-clauses should be
distinguished from Nominal WH-clauses
[NOMINAL RELATIVE CLAUSES]
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.2
TASK 3 Distinguish the ADVERBIAL WHClauses from NOMINAL WH-Clauses
1. The rain had just about stopped when
Kramer started walking to the subway
2. We don’t’ know when he called up
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES B. 3.11.2
KEY 3 Distinguish the ADVERBIAL WHClauses from NOMINAL WH-Clauses
1. The rain had just about stopped when
Kramer started walking to the subway
[ADVERBIAL WH-Clause]
2. We don’t’ know when he called up [NOMINAL
WH-Clause]
RELATIVE CLAUSES B. 3.11.3
•
•
•
•
A relative clause (also called ADJECTIVAL
CLAUSE) is characteristically a
POSTMODIFIER in a NP.
It is introduced by a WH-word, which has a
grammatical role in the relative clause in
addition to its linking function
The RELATIVIZER points back to the head
of the NP, which is generally referred as the
ANTECEDENT
Relative clauses may either be
– RESTRICTIVE
– NON-RESTRICTIVE
•
NOMINAL RELATIVE CLAUSES are not
used as postmodifiers of nouns.
RELATIVE CLAUSES B. 3.11.3
TASK 4 Classify the following relative clauses as
restrictive or non-restrictive
1. We have 30 men who are working from 6 am
to 11 pm and mot of the extra payments we
would expect to receive may go on overtime
2. He warned the public not to approach the
men, who are armed and dangerous
RELATIVE CLAUSES B. 3.11.3
KEY 4 Classify the following relative clauses as
restrictive or non-restrictive
1. We have 30 men who are working from 6 am to
11 pm and mot of the extra payments we would
expect to receive may go on overtime.
[RESTRICTIVE. It identifies a group of men who
are working long hours]
2. He warned the public not to approach the men, who
are armed and dangerous. [NON-RESTRICTIVE.
It gives information about some particular men
whose identity is already known]
RELATIVE CLAUSES B. 3.11.3
TASK 5 Classify the following sentences as
SENTENTIAL RELATIVE CLAUSES OR
SENTENCE RELATIVE OR AS NOMINAL
RELATIVE CLAUSES
1. All you told me was that Miss White was
retiring but I hadn’t to tell anyone, which I
haven’t done, which I don’t intend do
2. The waves are transverse, which means that
the direction of oscillation has to be
perpendicular to the direction of the motion of
wave
RELATIVE CLAUSES B. 3.11.3
KEY 5 Classify the following sentences as
SENTENTIAL RELATIVE CLAUSES OR
SENTENCE RELATIVE OR AS NOMINAL
RELATIVE CLAUSES
1. All you told me was that Miss White was retiring but
I hadn’t to tell anyone, which I haven’t done, which I
don’t intend do [NOMINAL RELATIVE]
2. The waves are transverse, which means that the
direction of oscillation has to be perpendicular to
the direction of the motion of wave [NOMINAL
RELATIVE]
COMPARATIVE AND DEGREE
CLAUSES B. 3.11.4
•
•
•
•
•
Comparative expressions such as comparative
forms of adjectives and adverbs require a basis
of comparison
Comparative clauses are introduced by THAT
Ellipsis is frequent in the comparative clause,
which usually mirrors the structure of a main
clause
A related type of clause expresses RESULT or
CONSEQUENCES in relation to a preceding
expression: so/such + that-clause
The syntactic role of a degree expression
varies; most typically is a MODIFIER OF AN
ADJECTIVE OR ADVERB
REPORTING CLAUSES B. 3.11.5
•
•
•
•
•
A reporting clause accompanies direct reports of
somebody’s speech or thought.
It specifies the speaker/thinker, the
addressee (sometimes), the type of act (ask,
think, etc.), and frequently also the mode of the
act (abruptly, apologetically, bitterly, etc.)
The reporting clause may be placed in initial,
medial or final position
As there is no link specifying the type of
connection, the syntactic role of the reporting
clause is indeterminate.
The clause containing the reporting verb is often
described as the main clause, with the direct
speech in object position
COMMENT CLAUSES B. 3.11.6
•
Comment clauses are similar in structure to
reporting clauses
–
–
–
–
•
they are loosely connected to the main clause,
they lack an explicit link
they are usually short and
they can appear in a variety of postion
They differ from reporting clauses
–
–
–
–
–
by being more FORMULAIC, and
in the frequency counts
they are usually in the present rather than past tense
they are usually in first or second rather than third
person
they comment on a thought rather than the delivery
of a wording
REPORTING AND COMMENT
CLAUSES B. 3.11.5-6
TASK 6. Classify the following sentences into
comment and reporting clauses
1. It’s a nice approach I think.
2. You know it makes you wonder, you know, you
see all this unemployment
3. And she said that everything was mouldy
4. Madonna, forgive me, he prayed, forgive me for
doubting the Holy Father.
5. Of course, dear. Please come over, she invited.
REPORTING AND COMMENT
CLAUSES B. 3.11.5-6
KEY 6. Classify the following sentences into
comment and reporting clauses
1. It’s a nice approach I think. [COMMENT]
2. You know it makes you wonder, you know, you
see all this unemployment. [COMMENT]
3. And she said that everything was mouldy
[REPORTING]
4. Madonna, forgive me, he prayed, forgive me for
doubting the Holy Father. [REPORTING]
5. Of course, dear. Please come over, she invited.
[REPORTING]
NON-FINITE CLAUSES B. 3.12
•
•
•
•
•
Non-finite clauses are regularly DEPENDENT.
They are more COMPACT and LESS EXPLICIT
than finite clauses
They are not marked for TENSE & MODALITY
They frequently lack an explicit Subject
They frequently lack a SUBORDINATOR
•
TYPES:
–
–
–
INFINITIVE CLAUSES (3.12.1)
ING-CLAUSES (3.12.2)
ED-CLAUSES (3.12.3)
NON-FINITE CLAUSES B. 3.12
TASK 7 Identify the finite dependent clauses and
rewrite them as non-finite dependent clauses:
1. I don’t know what I should write about it
2. As she was crossing, she lifted the rolled
umbrella high and pointed to show cars, buses,
speeding trucks, and cabs.
3. Since style is relational concept, the aim of
literary stylistics is to be relational in a more
interesting sense than that which has already
been mentioned
NON-FINITE CLAUSES B. 3.12
KEY 7 Identify the finite dependent clauses and
rewrite them as non-finite dependent clauses:
1. I don’t know what I should write about it
2. As she was crossing, she lifted the rolled
umbrella high and pointed to show cars, buses,
speeding trucks, and cabs.
3. Since style is relational concept, the aim of
literary stylistics is to be relational in a more
interesting sense than that which has already
been mentioned
NON-FINITE CLAUSES B. 3.12
KEY 7b Identify the finite dependent clauses and
rewrite them as non-finite dependent clauses:
1. I don’t know what to write about
2. Crossing, she lifted the rolled umbrella high
and pointed to show cars, buses, speeding
trucks and cabs
3. Style being a relational concept, the aim of
literary stylistics is to be relational in a more
interesting sense than that already mentioned
INFINITIVE CLAUSES B. 3.12.1
TASK 8 Identify the infinitive clauses and determine
their syntactic roles
1. “I believe that homosexuality is a gift from God.
To deny that gift is to deny God’s will, saying His
way isn’t good enough”
2. Its difficult to maintain a friendship
3. It’s a mistake to take sides
4. My goal is to look to the future
5. The only way out of the dilemma is to suppose
that sometimes the photon gets through and
sometime it does not.
6. Do you want me to send them today?
7. He upset very much, and I hate to see that
INFINITIVE CLAUSES B. 3.12.1
KEY 8 Identify the infinitive clauses and determine
their syntactic roles
1. “I believe that homosexuality is a gift from God.
To deny that gift is to deny God’s will, saying
His way isn’t good enough” [Sbj]
2. Its difficult to maintain a friendship [Sbj]
3. It’s a mistake to take sides [Sbj]
4. My goal is to look to the future [Sbj O]
5. The only way out of the dilemma is to suppose
that sometimes the photon gets through and
sometime it does not. [Sbj O]
6. Do you want me to send them today? [DO]
7. He upset very much, and I hate to see that
[DO]
INFINITIVE CLAUSES B. 3.12.1
KEY 8b
8. Some of these issues dropped out of Marx’s later
works because he considered them to have been
satisfactorily dealt with [Object complement]
9. Feare (1970a) thought it to be at least 90% during
the first winter [Object complement]
10. A little group of people had gathered by Mrs.
Millings to watch the police activities on the
foreshore. [Adverbial]
11. To succeed again they will have to improve their
fitness and concentration [Adverbial]
12. He is the third man to be murdered on the corner
of Donegal Road [Postmodifier of HNP]
13. They’re too big to fight, that’s the trouble isn’t it?
[Postmodifier of HAdjP]
ING-CLAUSES B. 3.12.2
TASK 9. Identify the ING-clauses and their syntactic role
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Having a fever is a pleasant, vacant
Understanding how a planet generates and gets rid of its
heat is essential if we are to understand how that planet
works
The real problem is getting something done about chap
imports
I started thinking about Christmas
No-one could reply his going to bed early last night
I didn’t come out of it looking particularly well, I know.
I think he smashed to cars coming down the road
The town is busy taking advantage of its first City Challenge
victory by implementing plans aimed at revitaliseing East
Middlesbrough
The art of expanding limited recall by asking leading, openended questions is a subtle one
ING-CLAUSES B. 3.12.2
KEY 9. Identify the ING-clauses and their syntactic role
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Having a fever is a pleasant, vacant [Sbj]
Understanding how a planet generates and gets rid of its
heat is essential if we are to understand how that planet works
[Sbj]
The real problem is getting something done about chap
imports [Subject object / Subject predicative]
I started thinking about Christmas [DO]
No-one could reply his going to bed early last night [Prep
Compl / Prep Object]
I didn’t come out of it looking particularly well, I know.
[Adverbial]
I think he smashed to cars coming down the road [Postmodifier of
HNP]
The town is busy taking advantage of its first City Challenge
victory by implementing plans aimed at revitalising East
Middlesbrough [Postmodifier of HAdjP]
The art of expanding limited recall by asking leading, openended questions is a subtle one [Prepositional complement /
Prepositional object]
ED-CLAUSES B. 3.12.2
TASK 10. Identify the ED-clauses and their syntactic role
1. God you’ve gone mad with the sugar in yours. Do
you want it topped up?
2. Two-year-old Constantin will have his cleft palate
repaired
3. When told by police how badly injured his victims
were he said: ‘Good, I hope they die’
4. Taken in the order shown they provide propulsive
jests increasing mass flow and increasing jet
velocity
5. There wasn’t a scrap of evidence to link him with
the body found on the Thames foreshore at low tide
6. This, as we have seen, is the course chosen by a
large minority of households.
ED-CLAUSES B. 3.12.2
KEY 11. Identify the ED-clauses and their syntactic role
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
God you’ve gone mad with the sugar in yours. Do you
want it topped up? [DO]
Two-year-old Constantin will have his cleft palate
repaired [DO]
When told by police how badly injured his victims
were he said: ‘Good, I hope they die’ [Adverbial]
Taken in the order shown they provide propulsive
jests increasing mass flow and increasing jet velocity
[Adverbial]
There wasn’t a scrap of evidence to link him with the
body found on the Thames foreshore at low tide
[postmodifier of HNP]
This, as we have seen, is the course chosen by a
large minority of households. [postmodifier of HNP]
INFINITIVE CLAUSES B. 3.12.1
KEY 11 Identify the infinitive clauses and determine
their syntactic roles
8. Some of these issues dropped out of Marx’s later
works because he considered them to have been
satisfactorily dealt with [Object complement]
9. Feare (1970a) thought it to be at least 90% during
the first winter
10. A little group of people had gathered by Mrs.
Millings to watch the police activities on the
foreshore.
11. To succeed again they will have to improve their
fitness and concentration
12. He is the third man to be murdered on the corner of
Donegal Road
13. They’re too big to fight, that’s the trouble isn’t it?