SENTENCES WITH MORE THAN ONE CLAUSE

A sentence has one or more main clauses. A main clause has a finite verb. We use
and, or, but and so to join main clauses:

Eat meat in moderation and enjoy the health benefits with the following palate-pleasing
recipes

A subordinate clause is part of the main clause, in the same way as a phrase is. It
can be an adverbial, an object, a relative clause:

Studies have shown that growing numbers of aircraft delays, increasing number of
aircraft turn-backs and diversions and several recent accidents and incidents were due
to maintenance as a causal factor.

I was tired because I´d been working.

A sub clause can be non-finite:

I was too tired to do anything else.

I was too tired after working all day

NOUN CLAUSES

SUBJECT OR SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

NC+v s+be+NC It+v+NC
WH-CLAUSES
indirect questions and nominal
THAT-CLAUSES relative clauses
indirect statements ("anticipatory it" with indirect
(THE FACT) THAT+SV questions only)
WHETHER+SV
WHAT/WHO..+(S)V
Whether he won or lost is
(The fact) that he lost upset him unimportant
The problem was that he lost Losing was what upset him
It upset him that he lost It is not clear what the score
was
DIRECT OBJECT
sv+NC
WH-CLAUSES
THAT-CLAUSES indirect questions and nominal
indirect statements relative clauses
sv+(THAT)+SV sv+WHETHER+SV
sv+WHAT/WHO..+(S)V
She asked if he was sick
He told her (that) he was in bed. He didn't know how he should
answer
OBJECT of a PREPOSITION
prep+NC
WH-CLAUSES
THAT-CLAUSES
indirect questions and nominal
indirect statements
relative clauses
(not possible, without inserting a noun:
prep.+WHETHER+SV
prep.+THE FACT THAT +SV)
prep.+WHAT/WHO..+(S)V
He asked her about whether he
should go
How do you feel about the fact that he won?
That depends on who else is
going.
ADJECTIVE COMPLEMENT
adj.+NC
WH-CLAUSES
THAT-CLAUSES limited adjectives -- indirect
indirect statements questions only!
adj.+(THAT) +SV) adj.+WHETHER+SV
adj.+WHAT/WHO..+(S)V
 I'm not sure whether we can
still go.
Aren't you curious what time
I'm sorry (that) I'm late.
the party starts?

NOUN COMPLEMENT
noun+NC
THAT-CLAUSES WH-CLAUSES
indirect statements indirect questions and nominal
noun +THAT +SV relative clauses
The news that he won surprised us all. (not possible)
INDIRECT OBJECT

THAT-CLAUSES

James loaned whoever had a

(not possible)
big date her new Porsche.
APPOSITION
noun+NC
COMPLEMENTIZERS/SUBORDINATING WH-CLAUSES
CONJUNCTIONS
The picture itself-that was evidence… When he had
Her reasons, whatever they
been away, he had been filled with terror lest other
may be, are trustworthy.
eyes should look upon it.
EXTRAPOSED NOUN CLAUSE

I consider it an advantage that she should enter the

university next year.
It is improbable that he could attend the meeting in
time.

1.- NOUN CLAUSES AS DIRECT OBJECT

 She hadn´t recovered, the doctors said, but was sleeping, A kind
physician recommended we go home to have a rest.
  I´m not sure that he meant what he said. (what he said  DO, that he
meant what he said  adjective complement)

 We would appreciate if (reemplazable por whether) your partner could

let me know what he thinks. DO

2.-NOUN CLAUSES AS ADJECTIVE COMPLEMENT

 I was determined that she be appointed.

 We were not sure if he had finished his report in time. (whether)

 I am extremely happy that you are finishing your course of studies so

soon.

3.- NOUN CLAUSES AS NOUN COMPLEMENT

 In the teacher´s suggestion that everybody ask for help, there was clear
indication of how hard she would work throughout the semester.

 Are you meaning that she hired the new employee without any certainty
that it was absolutely necessary (NC)? (Noun clause as direct object)

 I´d like to express my hope that you are having a good time in Buenos
Aires.

4.- NOUN CLAUSES AS SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

 When Thomas understood the concept of sound pollution, the

suggestion was that he introduce the topic to the rest of the students.

 My doubt is that this was what he intended to say.

 Our fear was that, with no evidence, there would be few possibilities to
give him a fair hearing.

5.- NOUN CLAUSE IN EXTRAPOSITION

 It is essential that the place be clear of obstacles. SUBJECT

 He considers it a good idea that she should use those materials to

manufacture the furniture. DO
 It was possible that Peter might never get his son to graduate.
SUBJECT
 NOTES:

 FUNCTION OF THAT and "WH-WORDS" in NOUN CLAUSES:

THAT does not have any function within a noun clause (unlike adjective
clauses). It simply introduces it, and is, therefore, often omitted:
He told me (that) he (subject) bought (verb) a car (direct object).
WHETHER and IF also do not have any function within a noun clause, but
because they carry important information, cannot be omitted:
I wonder whether he (subject) bought (verb) an expensive car.
Other "WH-words" DO have a function within a noun clause, just as they do in
adjective clauses, and, therefore, cannot be omitted ... even when they're not
the subject.
I wonder who(m) (indirect object) he (subject) told. (verb)

TWO KINDS OF "WH-CLAUSES":

Who is it? I know WHO IT IS.

indirect questions:
When did we I don't remember WHEN WE WENT. Was it
go? Tuesday?

that thing I'm sorry about WHAT I DID

nominal relative which I did

clauses:
the time that I often remember WHEN WE WENT … It
we went was so much fun!

REDUCTION OF NOUN CLAUSES TO INFINITIVES:

- noun clauses with will, should, can, etc.
- commands
- requests for action / permission
- questions

He told me THAT I SHOULD DRIVE = He told me TO DRIVE. (infinitive

as NC)
He asked me IF I WOULD HELP = He asked me TO HELP. (NC)
I'm not sure HOW I CAN HELP = I'm not sure HOW TO HELP. (NC)