The Syntax of the Complex Sentence

Compound sentences are based on coordination.

Complex sentences are based on subordination.
Dependent/Subordinate/Embedded 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 (whether/if)
• Nominal relative clauses (Wh-ever compounds)
• ‘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/ Non-
restrictive
• Non-finite Relative Clauses
• Cleft sentences

NOMINAL CLAUSES and their syntactic functions

1. ‘THAT’- Clauses can function as:
• Subject: That he is lazy1/ is a certainty2/.
1 – THAT Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause
• Subject Complement: The problem is1/ that we don’t know the time.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – THAT Nominal Clause (Subject Complement)
• Direct Object: You know1/ that he has just got married.2/
1 – Main Clause
2- THAT Nominal Clause (Direct Object)
• Apposition: Your news,1/ that Mary is hurt2/, was true1/.
• Adjectival Complement: I am sure1/ that you will take a good mark.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – THAT – Nominal Clause (Adjectival Complement)

2. Dependent ‘wh-’ interrogative clauses can function as:

• Subject: What you’ve just said1/ has been recorded2/.
1 – WH- interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause
• Subject Complement: The trouble is1/ where we’ll go.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – WH – interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Subject Complement)
• Direct Object: I told you1/ when he would come2/.
1 – Main Clause

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 2 – WH – interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (DO)

• Apposition: My initial question1/, why she left in such a hurry,2/ wasn’t answered1/.
1 – Main Clause
2 – WH- interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Apposition)

• Adjectival Complement: I was certain1/ whose plan this was.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – WH – interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Adjectival Complement)

• Prepositional Complement: It depends on1/ when they arrive.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – WH – interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Prepositional Complement)

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

• Subject: Whether it rains1/ or not2/ is our main problem3/.
1 – Yes/No interrog. dep. Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 - Yes/No interrog. dep. Nominal Clause (Subject), verbless
3 – Main Clause
• Subject Complement: The question is1/ whether he passes the exam2/ or not3/.
1 – Main Clause
2 – YES/No interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Subject Complement)
3 - YES/No interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Subject Complement), verbless
• Direct Object: We don’t know1/ whether/if they have already found out the news2/.
1 – Main Clause
2 – Yes/No interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (DO)

• Adjectival Complement: They were not sure1/ if the play started on time.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Yes/No interrog. dep. Nominal Clause (Adjectival Complement)

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 • Apposition: The question1/, whether she needed both of us2/, required a quick answer1/.
1 – Main Clause
2 – Yes/No interrog. dep. Nominal Clause (Apposition)

4. Nominal relative clauses can function as:

• Subject: Whoever threatens you1/ is dangerous2/.
1 – Nominal relative clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause
• Subject Complement: Friend is1/ whoever helps you anytime.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal relative clause (Subject Complement)
• Direct Object: I tried1/ whatever came handiest at the time.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (DO)
• Indirect Object: She offered a flower1/ to whoever was coming.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (IO)
• Object Complement: He could call her1/ whatever he liked.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (OC)
• Apposition: Your address1/, wherever you are living now2/, is known by the police.1/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (Apposition)
• Prepositional Complement: You should vote for1/ whichever candidate you think best.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (Prepositional Complement)

5. ‘To’-infinitive Nominal Clauses:

• Subject: For a human to eat like that1/ is unbelievable2/.
1 – To - infinitive Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause

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 • Subject Complement: My decision was1/ to forgive him.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – To-infinitive Nominal Clause (SC)
• Direct Object: I expect1/ to see them next week.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – To-infinitive Nominal Clause (DO)
• Apposition: The task,1/ to solve the exercise at choice,2/ has been fulfilled1/.
1 – Main Clause
2 – To-infinitive Nominal Clause (Apposition)
• Adjectival complement: I’m sorry1/ to hear that.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – To-infinitive Nominal Clause (Adjectival Complement)

6. Nominal ‘-ing’ Clauses:

• Subject: Learning rules without examples1/ is useless2/.
1 – ING-Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause
• Subject Complement: His favourite preoccupation is 1/ reading books.2/
1 – Main clause
2 – ING Nominal Clause (SC)
• Direct Object: Lucy loves1/ lying in the sun.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – ING Nominal Clause (DO)
• Object Complement: I heard him1/ leaving.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – ING – Nominal Clause (OC)
• Prepositional complement: Pay attention to1/ his speaking English.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – ING – Nominal Clause (Prepositional Complement)

7. Short infinitive nominal clauses:

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 • Subject Complement: All I did was turn off the gas.
• Subject: (To) Lie in the sun was everything they needed.
• Object Complement: They heard him1/ sing.2/

8. Verbless nominal clauses:

An apple a day1/ keeps the doctor away2/.
1 – Verbless Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause

Eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

1. Divide the following complex sentences and mention the subtype of Nominal clauses,
according to the model:
1. It will do you a lot of good1/ if you exercise every morning2/.
1 – Main Clause
2 – Yes/No Interrogative Dependent Nominal Clause (Subject)

2. That many people were healed1/ proves2/ that the new treatment is efficient.3/
1 – THAT – Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause
3 – THAT – Nominal Clause (Direct Object)

3. I don’t remember1/ why I have called you.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – WH- interrogative dependent Nominal Clause (Direct Object)

4. Hearing the bad news1/ made her even angrier.2/

1 – ING Nominal Clause (Subject)
2 – Main Clause

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5. You should rely on1/ whoever helps you most.2/
1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (Prepositional Complement)

6. I’m glad1/ (that) you have asked.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – THAT Nominal Clause (Adjectival Complement)

7. I’m glad1/ to see you.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – TO-infinitive Nominal Clause (Adjectival Complement)

8. They tried1/ to improve their pronunciation.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – TO-infinitive Nominal Clause (DO)

9. The audience made the speaker1/ leave the conference room.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – Short infinitive Nominal Clause (Object Complement)

10. He was telling her1/ whatever crossed his mind.2/

1 – Main Clause
2 – Nominal Relative Clause (Direct Object)