Fundamentals of English Syntax

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Ngoc Trung

SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS OF NOMINAL CLAUSES

S Od Cs App
Finite

That That he likes you is true I know that she will come. My hope is that things will get Our hope that things will get better
better. is well-founded.
Wh-int What caused the fire is a mystery. I don’t know what caused the fire. The problem was who would help Her question how he could finish
her. the work is not easy.
Yes/no int Whether he’ll come or not troubles I don’t care whether he likes me or The question is whether she would The problem whether he can win is
her. not. agree. decisive now.
Nom. Rel What caused the fire was only a I know what caused the fire. Coffee is what I like best. Coffee, what I like best, is quite
cigarette end. easy to find.
Non-finite

To V To help him is my task. She wanted to become a doctor. Our task was to help them. Our duty, to help them over this
difficulty, is not so simple.
Bare V Run away was what we could do All I have to do is repeat what he
then. says.
V-ing Learning English grammar is I like listening to music. My hobby is collecting stamps. My hobby, collecting stamps, is
boring. time-consuming.

Cadj Co Cprep Oi
Finite

That I’m sure that things will get better.

Wh-int She wasn’t conscious who he was. I’m concerned about why he said
so.
Yes/no int I’m not sure whether she will come. He was interested in whether she
could win the match.
Nom. Rel You can call him whatever name This depends on whatever he says at We gave whoever went there a
you like. the meeting. brochure.
Non-finite

To V I’m glad to meet you. I want my son to become a doctor.

Bare V The film made him laugh a lot.
V-ing She’s busy doing her homework. I heard them laughing in the I’m keen on playing football.
bedroom.