CLAUSES 2 – Non-finite

Unit 7
 Unit 7 – Clauses 2
I. Non-finite verbs
II. The form of non-finite
clauses
III. Functions of non-finite
clauses
SUMMARY
 a. Bare infinitive She will make him write a letter.
Infinitive
Carol wanted to buy a car.

Hit by a club, he was unconscious.

Participle
The sun having set, we went home.

NOTE:
=> Main clause = Finite
>
=> Non-finite clause
> She will make him write a letter.
 VP

[-tense] VP

V NP
[trans]

Carol wanted to buy a car

VP

PERF VP
V [-tense]
[trans] V
[-tense] [intrans]

Hit  by a club, he … The sun having set, we ...

- Subjects
- Complementisers
A. NPs as subjects can be overt or covert
pp.223-224

(a) Carol1 wanted 1 to buy a car.

> 1 = covert NP as subject of non-finite clause
> Its reference = Carol (main clause subject)
>

(b) The sun having set, we went home.

> The sun = overt NP as subject of non-finite clause
> Its reference >
 B. Complementisers pp.228-224

(a) C1 (for and whether) under S’

For Jack to pass the exam seems difficult.
Whether  to permit such activities is a tricky question.

For / Whether =

(b) C1 (empty) under S’

__  To err is human.

Empty C1
(c) C2 (fronted WH-phrase) under S’’

Jane1 didn’t know what2 1 to do 2

 S

NP VP

[-tense] VP
Name V NP
[trans]

For Jack to pass the exam

 Note: 1 = Jane

NP VP

[-tense] VP

V NP
[trans]

… what2 __ 1 to wear 2
Practice 1: Insert a blob for the covert subject or object in
each non-finite clause. Index the subjects and objects where
necessary (e.g. Jane1 / 1).

1. Stripping wallpaper is a wretched business. (p244)

2. Max is reluctant to try it. (p244)
3. That piano is impossible to move. (p245)
4. I want to be alone. (p247)
5. I wanted John to be alone.
6. Max is too stubborn to talk.
7. Max is too stubborn to talk to.
8. John was not clear how to do this.
Practice 2 : Analyse these ambiguous sentences. Index the
subject and object where necessary (e.g. Jane1 / 1).

1. (a) I saw the boy studying in the library.

(b) I saw the boy studying in the library.
2. (c) The chicken is ready to eat.
(d) The chicken is ready to eat.
- Subject / Extraposed subject
- Complement of A in AP
- Complement of P in PP
- Adverbial
- Complement of N in NP
- Modifier in NP
- Complement of V
 p232
A. Subject / Extraposed subject
Subject Predicate
 Taking care of old people is a difficult job.
For a bridge to collapse like that is very unlikely.
Whether  to take a gap year is a tricky question.
Who  to vote for needs further discussion.

Extraposed subjects:
- It’s a difficult job taking care of old people.
- It’s very unlikely for a bridge to collapse like that.
-
-
Subject Predicate
Taking care of old people is a difficult job.
For a bridge to collapse like that is very unlikely.
Whether to take a gap year is a tricky question.
Who to vote for needs further discussion.

a. non-finite (-ing participle), subject

b. non-finite (to-infinitive), subject
c.
d.
B. Complement of A in AP p232

Subject + V AP
[intens]
Max1 is reluctant [1 to try it].

Type A (about anxious, eager, keen, hesitant, happy,

feeling, emotion) (un)likely, (un)willing
That piano2 is impossible [ to move 2].

Type B (about easy, hard, difficult, tough, boring,

comment, opinion) enjoyable, disgusting, delicious
 Exercise
Index the subjects / objects in these sentences.
1. This soup is smelly. It is disgusting to eat.
2. Kerry is happy to announce the wedding of his
son.
3. Charles was unwilling to lend me some money.
4. John was very difficult to please.
5. This match is too boring to watch to the end.
 C. Complement of P in PP p233

PP
Jack1 smiled after [1 answering the question].

They took refuge in a cove , with [the storm approaching].

Charlie1 is interested in [1 playing online games].

The accident resulted from [Tom driving too fast].

 D. Adverbial p234

1. [The sun having set], we all went home.

=> -ing participle with overt subject (The sun)
2. [1 Having finished the report], John1 played chess.
=>
3. [The wine finished], we dozed fitfully in our chairs.
=>
4. Vivian1 ran to the beach [1 to save the baby turtles].
=>
NOTE: Non-finite (reduced) adverbial clauses
with subordinating conj retained
p234

1. [If the weather permitted], we will go camping.

=> If + passive participle
2. [Although 1 eating a lot], John1 is underweight.
=> Although + -ing participle
3. He said he1 didn’t fall assleep [while 1 driving].
=> While +
4. Max1 brandished the gun [as if 1 to frighten them].
=> As if +
 E. Complement of N in NP p234

=> after abstract Nouns (wish, proposal, ability, plan,

decision, …)
=> equivalent to That-clause

- His1 decision [1 to resign shocked all of us].

=> … that he resigned shocked all of us.
- I admire Carol’s1 ability [1 to imitate animal’s
language].
=>

NOTE: 1
 NOTE
Nouns followed by the to-infinitive
ability chance failure permission reminder
advice choice goal plan request
agreement decision intention preparation requirement
ambition demand motivation promise suggestion
anxiety desire need proposal tendency
appeal determination offer recommendation way
arrangement dream opportunity refusal willingness
attempt eagerness order reluctance wish
 F. Modifier in NP p235

=> reduced Relative clauses with a covert wh-phrase

=> Restrictive only
=> Modifier of NOM in NP

- The car1 [ robbed 1 last night] is mine.

=> … which was robbed
- The bridge1 [1 spanning the river] is ten metres long.
=> … which
- I need a device1 [1 to open the trunk].
=> … which
 F. Complement of V pp.236-237

NOTE 1
No application of the six-way sub-categorisation of
verbs, because there are verbs that can’t take an
NP as complement (dO) of V.
E.g. Alice hoped to pass the exam.
* Alice hoped success.
The mayor finally condescended to see us.
* The mayor condescended a meeting.
NOTE 2
Two main structures of V + non-finite clauses

Covert NP Overt NP

Type I
Covert NP = subject of S’
Overt NP = subject of S’

Type II
Overt NP = dO of higher clause
 pp.240-243
(a) Covert subject in S’

V + V-ing participle / to-infinitive

Subject + Verb Complement of V

Ted1 didn’t remember 1 kissing Kim.
John1 didn’t remember 1 to kiss Jane.
My sister1 enjoys 1 doing the gardening.
She1 wanted 1 to travel around the world.
(b) Type I: V + NP + participle / infinitive
> NP = pp.240-243
> verbs done without deliberation / willingness:
want, love, like, hate, see, expect, desire, prefer, believe, find
> verbs of perception:
feel, hear, watch, observe, witness,…

Subject + Verb Complement of V

She wanted this to happen.
John had heard Carol singing solo.

Question test:
- What
- What
 (c) Type II: V + NP + participle / infinitive

> NP = object of V =>

> verbs done with deliberation / willingness:

ask, advise, order, encourage, force, invite, promise,
persuade, teach, beg, warn, tell, recommend, urge
> causative verbs:
make, have, get, let, keep
Subject + Verb Object Complement of V
The teacher encouraged us1 1 to join the club.
The manager made them1 1 work overtime.
We can’t have people1 1 arriving late all the time.

Agents (people or animals) having volition / power to

make decisions
Question test:
WHO
 PRACTICE 3

(A) Index the subjects / objects in these sentences.

1. (a) Sarah believed Dr Wilson to have treated Paul.
(b) Sarah believed Paul to have been treated by Dr Wilson.
2. (c) Sue persuaded Dr Kim to treat John.
(d) Sue persuaded John to be treated by Dr Kim.
3. (e) She wanted her friends to trust me.
(f) She wanted me to be trusted by her friends.

(B) Enclose non-finite clauses within square brackets.

 PRACTICE 4

Pick out non-finite clauses and state their functions.

To speak in class is difficult for some children but not for Charlie.
He raises his hand constantly and loves to participate in class
discussions. In fact, speaking in class is what he does best. He does
his homework and is very well prepared. Prepared students excel
in class. Also, students encouraged by their teachers do well.
Charlie is doing well in every class.
Sometimes Charlie talks a little too much. He dislikes sitting
quietly. The teacher reminds him to share the discussion time.
Other students are quiet and may think that they don't have
anything important to say. However, the teacher values the
opinions of all the students; she helps quiet students (to) speak
out more confidently.
 SUMMARY
Subject/ extraposed subject covert or overt subject of
S’

Complement of N, A, P covert or overt subject of

S’

Complement of V (a) covert subject of S’

(b) overt NP Type I
(c) overt NP Type II

Modifier of NOM in NP covert WH-phrase

=> reduced relative clause (relative words)

Adverbial covert or overt subject

=> reduced adverbial clause of S’
 PRACTICE 5
Pick out subordinate clauses and state their functions.
Example:
It seems [that after {having experienced ups and downs in life,}
John is easier (to please)].
[1] finite That-clause, extraposed subject
{2} non-finite (-ing participle), S-adverbial
(3) non-finite (to-infinitive), complement of A (easier)
1. Mary is pretending to be ill with the intention of avoiding
work.
2. We will be glad to go to the theatre with you tonight if we can
get a baby-sitter.
3. Ted decided to take a trip around the world so that he might
learn about different people and their customs.
4. It’s well known that coffee grows in Brazil, which is the
largest country in South America.
5. After listening to the news, she started to prepare dinner.
 PRACTICE 6

Pick out subordinate clauses and state their functions.

pp 248, 250