EMBEDDING

 Review of the structure of the clause and lower-

ranking units filling constituents of the clause

 Review of types of clauses

 Minor versus Major

 Elliptical versus non-elliptical
 Ranking versus Down-ranked or embedded
 Ranking independent versus ranking dependent

 Embedded clauses (Functions)

 SO FAR WE HAVE …

… studied, by reference to the rankscale as a

hierarchy of lexico-grammatical resources,

 the different groups and phrases, their

constituents and the functions these constituents
perform;

 the structure of the clause: the constituents within

it, the function they perform and the lower-rank
units that realize them.
 EVERYTHING WE HAVE STUDIED …

… we then integrated in the analysis of single clauses,

with two levels of analysis: one for the
constituents of the clause and the other for the
groups and phrases that realize them, as is shown
in the following screens:
INTEGRATING EVERYTHING WE HAVE STUDIED SO
FAR IN THE ANALYSIS OF THE FOLLOWING CLAUSE

Segment the following clause into its

constituents, label them and then indicate
which groups and phrases realize the
different constituents. Check your
segmentation with the following screen:

“However, since 1945 the

population of Australia has
obviously become more
cosmopolitan”
 Analysing the structure of a clause –
Segmenting the clause into its constituents.
Now label them

However since the has

1945 population
of Australia

obviously become more

cosmopolitan
 Analysing the structure of the clause –
Labelling constituents of the clause

However since the has

1945 population
of Australia
Adjcon Adjcir S F

obviously become more

cosmopolitan

Adjmod P C
 Analysing the structure of the clause –
Identify groups and phrases that realize the
constituents
However since 1945 the has
population of
Australia
Adjcon Adjcir S F

obviously become more

cosmopolitan
Adjmod P C
Structure of the clause – Identifying groups
and phrases that realize elements of the
clause
However since 1945 the has
population of
Australia
Adjcon Adjcir S F

AdvGp PP NGp o in extended

VG

obviously become more

cosmopolitan
Adjmod P C

AdvGp V in extended VG AdjGp

 Structure of the clause – Identifying
constituents of groups and phrases
However since 1945 the population of Australia has

Adjcon Adjcir S F

AdvGp PP NGp VGp

h p cv D Th Q o

obviously become more cosmopolitan

Adjmod P C

AdvGp VGp AdjGp

h v Pre-mod h
 Then we looked at …

… clauses and their different types.

We will brefly review the different
types of clauses and then focus on
one type (embedded clauses)
 Types of clauses reviewed

 Minor versus Major clauses

 Major clauses: Ranking clauses versus

downranked or rankshifted clauses (=
embedded)

 Ranking clauses: independent versus

dependent clauses

 Independent clauses: Elliptical and non-

elliptical
 Minor versus Major clauses

 Minor clauses are those that have no Predicator

Calls: Peter! Mr Smith! Mum!

Alarms: Fire! Danger! Help! No smoking. Careful!

Greetings: Hi! Goodday! Good morning!

Exclamations: My Goodness! Good God! Great!

Congratulations! Not at all! Wow! Thank you!

Continuity: (they arrived last night) – Uhuh.

 Major clauses have Predicators See next screen

 Minor versus Major clauses

 Minor clauses are those that have no Predicator

 Major clauses have Predicators (they can be

declarative, interrogative and imperative in mood)

Come here! Did you answer the phone?

I’m afraid // I disagree there. (2 Predicators; 2 clauses)

He was reluctant to help // because he had been

offered no pay. (2 Predicators; 2 clauses)

That he left is not yet certain. (2 Predicators; 2 clauses,

one embedded within the other)
Why Minor Clauses and not Groups?

Clauses like “Fire!” and “Careful!” are

considered Clauses and not NGps or AdjGps
because they do not make up clauses, i.e. they
are not constituents within a clause, but, like
clauses, they convey messages by themselves.
Consider the following examples of Minor
Clauses and Ngps/AdjGps within a cluse:

“Fire!” (Minor Clause)

“The firemen managed to put out the fire”
(NGp)
“Careful”! (Minor Clause)
“Be careful with your books” (AdjGps)
Why Minor Clauses and not Elliptical
Clauses?

Clauses like “Fire!” and “Careful!” are

considered Minor Clauses and not elliptical
Clauses because clauses are said to be elliptical
only when the constituents omitted in them
can be retrieved from previous clauses, and
this is not the case with Minor Clauses. No
constituents have been omitted in them that
can be retrieved from previous clauses,. See
examples below:

Danger! (Minor clause)

What did you say this would cause them?
(He said this would cause him) danger.
 Major clauses: different types
Independent
Major clauses can be of three different types:
 Independent clauses  They can stand alone, i.e.
they do not need any other clause to convey a
whole message, and they have mood of their own
and can shift in mood: “Sonny sang a moving
song”. “Did Sonny sing a moving song?!” “Sing us
a moving song, Sonny!”

 Dependent clauses

 Embedded clauses
 Major clauses: different types
Dependent
Major clauses can be of three different types:
 Independent clauses

 Dependent clauses  They cannot stand alone

because they need another clause to convey a
message that is perceived as complete. They are
called “dependent”, because they depend on
another clause for the expression of mood and
sometimes tense. They can be Finite or Non-finite

 Embedded clauses
 Major clauses: different types
Embedded
Major clauses can be of three different types:
 Independent clauses

 Dependent clauses

 Embedded clauses  They are not ranking clauses,

i.e. clauses working as clauses (conveying a
message, as independent clauses do, or expanding
it, as dependent clauses do), but they are down-
ranked clauses, that is, clauses brought down from
their rank and functioning as constituents within
another clause
 Major clauses: different types
exemplified
 Independent clauses can be of three types:
Sonny sang a moving song (single clause).
Sonny sang a moving song and (he was) generally
acclaimed (any clause in a paratactic/coordinating clause
complex, even if elliptical).
Sonny sang a moving song, whe he was invited to step
onto the stage. (main/dominant clause in a hypotactic clause
complex)
 Dependent clause:
Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his
song/after singing his song (dependent clauses in
hypotactic clause complex, Finite and Non-Finite, introduced
by subordinating conjunctions).
 Embedded clauses, both Finite and Non-Finite:
The boy [[who sang a moving song]] was generally
acclaimed. [[Singing a moving song]] is a good way of
bringing a camp-fire evening to an end.
 Independent versus dependent
(conveying a whole message vs.
expanding a message)

 Independent clauses convey a complete message.

This is why they can stand alone:
Did Sonny sing a moving song? (single clause).
Did Sonny sing a moving song and was he generally
acclaimed? (clause in a paratactic clause complex).
Sing a song and you will be generally acclaimed (clause
in a paratactic clause complex).

 Dependent clauses do not convey a message which

is complete. This is why they cannot stand alone.
But they expand a message :
… when he sang his song. (Message incomplete)
Was Sonny generally acclaimed when he sang a song?
(Deendent clause expands message by expressing
time)
 Independent versus dependent
(possibility to change mood)

 Independent clauses can shift in Mood:

Did Sonny sing a moving song? (single clause).
Did Sonny sing a moving song and was he generally
acclaimed? (clause in a paratactic clause complex).
Sing a song and you will be generally acclaimed (clause
in a paratactic clause complex).

 Dependent clause cannot shift in mood and depend

for the expression of mood on the main clause :
Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his
song.
Was Sonny generally acclaimed when he sang a song?
(Default mood structure always declarative. Mood
determined by main/dominant clause)
 Independent versus dependent
(expression of time/tense, person and
number)
 Independent clauses generally have a Finite that
expresses person and number (though not always
in English) and tense:
Did Sonny sing a moving song? (single clause).
Did Sonny sing a moving song and was he generally
acclaimed? (clause in a paratactic clause complex).
Sing a song and you will be generally acclaimed (clause
in a paratactic clause complex). (Imperatives do not
have Finites as they do not express tense)

 Non-Finite dependent clauses do not have a Finite

and depend for the expression of time, person and
number on the dominant clause:
(Dependent Non-Finite clause) Having sung a
beautiful song, Sonny was generally acclaimed
 Dependent versus Embedded clauses
(possibility to suppress them)
 Because Dependent clauses are NOT
CONSTITUENTS within another clause, they can be
suppressed:
Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his
song.
Sonny was generally acclaimed.
 Because Embedded clauses are CONSTITUENTS
within another clause, like NGps or PPs, they
cannot be suppressed as the claus would be
incomplete:
[[Whoever sang]] was generally aclaimed.
…. was generally acclaimed (suppression not possible)
 Dependent versus Embedded Clauses
(possibility to shift clause around)

 Dependent clauses can be moved around:

Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his
song. (dependent clause in hypotactic clause complex).

When he sang his song, Sonny was generally

acclaimed (dependent clause in hypotactic clause
complex).

 Embedded clauses cannot be moved around:

[[Whoever sang]] was generally acclaimed. NOT
POSSIBLE
 Relative clauses
Dependent or embedded?

 Non defining relative clauses like the following

ones are dependent. Why?

Mrs. Johnson, who always takes good care of the

garden, is now in hospital and cannot look after it.

Mrs. Johnson is now very ill in hospital, which is very

sad.

 Defining relative clauses are embedded. Why?

The lady [[who lives next door]] is a widow.
The dog [[ they gave me as a present]] is a golden
retriever.
 Relative clauses
Dependent or embedded?
 Non defining relative clauses like the following
ones are dependent because they expand the
message but are not part of the dominant clause.
They can be suppressed
Mrs. Johnson, …, is now in hospital and cannot look after
it.
Mrs. Johnson is now very ill in hospital, …
Defining relative clauses are embedded because
they are a constituent within a constituent of
another clause (Qualifier within a NGp) and so
cannot be suppressed in context
The lady [[who lives next door]] is a widow.
The dog [[(which) they gave me as a present]] is a
golden retriever. See next screen for clarification
Defining relative clauses as embedded
clauses – Why cannot they be
suppressed
My neigbours are all married. Peter is married to Susan.
John is married to Mary. The lady [[who lives next
door]] was married once but is a widow. (In this case
“who lives next door cannot be suppressed as the
message would be incomplete. We would not know
what lady we are talking about)
As here
My neigbours are all married. Peter is married to Susan.
John is married to Mary. The lady was married once but
is a widow. (Now we cannot tell which lady we are
talking about and the embedded clauses is
necessary as we have not mentioned her before)
 Summary of distinctive features
 Ranking independent
Can stand alone; choose their own mood
 Ranking dependent
Can’t stand alone; pick the mood from an
independent clause they are linked to. Non-
Finite ones depend for person, number and
tense, on main clause.They can be
suppressed and moved around
 Non-ranking (Embedded)
Can’t stand alone; pick the mood from an
independent clause they are part of. They
cannot be suppressed and cannot be
moved around
 Structure of major clauses

The structure of major clauses

(whether independent, dependent
or embedded) can be analysed in
the same terms, using the
categories S, F, P, C, Adj
 Structure of major clauses.
Examples – independent clause

Sonny sang a moving song

Did Sonny sing a moving

song

Sonny, sing a moving song

 Structure of major clauses.
Examples – independent clause

Sonny sang a moving song

S F/P C
Did Sonny sing a moving
song

F S P C
Sonny, sing a moving song
Amod P C
 Structure of major clauses.
Examples –dependent clause

When he sang a moving

song
 Structure of major clauses.
Examples –dependent clause

When he sang a moving

song

S F/P C
 Structure of major clauses.
Examples – embedded

who sang a moving

song
 Structure of major clauses.
Examples – embedded

who sang a moving

song

S F/P C
Structure of major clauses. Further
examples – embedded
(Finite and Non-Finite)

The announcement [[that M. J. will sing the

national anthem during the celebration]] was
made yesterday.

The name of the person [[to sing the national

anthem during the celebration]] will be announced
tomorrow.

The boy [[singing the national anthem during the

celebration]] had a deep voice.
Structure of major clauses. Further
examples – embedded

that M. J. will sing the during the

national celebration
anthem

to the national during the

sing/singing anthem celebration
Structure of major clauses.
Examples – embedded
that M. J. will sing the during the
national celebration
anthem
S F P C (= DO) Adjcir

to the national during the

sing/singing anthem celebration
P C (= DO) Adjcir
 FOCUSING ON
EMBEDDED/DOWNRANKED OR
RANKSHIFTED CLAUSES
 Downranked/rankshifted (=
embedded) clauses: definition

A clause that has been shifted in rank,

that has been brought lower in rank, to
function within another clause as an
element of that clause or within a group
as an element within it. It is
conventionally marked by means of [[ ]].
Embedded clauses extend the resources of
the language.
 Downranked (= embedded)
clauses. Examples
Identify clauses functioning within another clause
in the examples below (downranked/rankshifted
(= embedded) )
What we need is change.
What I don’t enjoy is the weather.
Travelling by bike is good for the environment.
To err is human; to forgive is divine.
To know him is to love him
I ate what I could find.
I gave whoever was there a present.
I cannot stand people who come to your place uninvited.
He was not sure about how he should treat him/how to
treat him.
 Downranked (= embedded) clauses
identified, with indication of function
[[What we need]] is change. (S)
[[What I don’t enjoy]] is [[standing in queues]].
(S/SC)
[[Travelling by bike]] is good for the environment. (S)
[[To err]] is human; [[to forgive]] is divine. (S)
[[To know]] him is [[to love him]] (S/SC)
I ate [[what I could find]]. (C = DO)
I gave [[whoever was there]] a present. (C= IO)
I cannot stand people [[who come to your place
uninvited]]. (Q of NG)
He was not sure about [[how he should treat
him/how to treat him]]. (cv of prep)
Embedded clauses – functions within
the clause or groups
Embedded clauses can function as:

Qualifiers within a Ngp/AdjGp/AdvGp

Complement (= DO)

Complement (= SC)

Complement ( =IO)

Complement (= OC)

Completive (cv) of a Preposition

 Embedded clauses – Functions
Qualifier within NGp
IDENTIFY THEM BEFORE MOVING TO NEXT
SCREEN:

The fact that inflation is going down is a sign that our

economy is improving.
The girl whom I lent my book to has disappeared.
There is no evidence that he committed the crime.
He’s not a man to lend money to.
The man sitting next to you is looking at us.
Your criticism that your answer has not been taken
seriously is not justified.
This is exactly the place where Mr. Smith was murdered.
That was the day when I fell in love with him.
 Embedded clauses – functions
Qualifier within NGp
The fact [[that inflation is going down]] is a sign that our
economy is improving.
The girl [[whom I lent my book to]] has disappeared.
There is no evidence [[that he committed the crime]].
He’s not a man [[to lend money to]].
The man [[sitting next to you]] is looking at us.
Your criticism [[that your answer has not been taken
seriously]] is not justified.
This is exactly the place [[where Mr. Smith was
murdered]]. With nouns referring to places
That was the day [[when I fell in love with him]]. With
nouns referring to time
 Embedded clauses – functions
Qualifier within AdjGp and AdvGp
 QUALIFIER WITHIN ADJGP. IDENTIFY:
Many people are doubtful how to vote.
The minister was quick to reject the accusation.
My friends were all willing/reluctant to help.

 QUALIFIER WITHIN ADVGP. IDENTIFY:

Please sit down anywhere you like.
Our coach left earlier than he should have done.
People here don’t work as hard as they do in some
other countries.
He explained it so clearly that everybody understood.
 Embedded clauses – functions
Qualifier within AdjGp and AdvGp
 QUALIFIER WITHIN ADJECTIVE GROUP:
Many people are doubtful [[how to vote]].
The minister was quick [[to reject the accusation]].
My friends were all willing/reluctant [[to help]].

 QUALIFIER WITHIN ADVERBIAL GROUP:

Please sit down anywhere [[you like]].
Our coach left earlier [[than he should have done]].
People here don’t work as hard [[as they do in some
other countries]].
He explained it so clearly [[that everybody
understood]].
 Embedded clauses – functions
Subject and Complement (DO)
 SUBJECT. IDENTIFY:
What I don’t enjoy is standing in queues.
What most people prefer is others doing the work.
It doesn’t matter where you sit.
To take such a risk was rather foolish.

 COMPLEMENT: DIRECT OBJECT. IDENTIFY

I brought what I could buy
I ate what was there.
Did he find what he was looking for?
I enjoy/hate/love travelling by bus.
 Embedded clauses – functions bject
and Complement (DO)
 SUBJECT:
[[What I don’t enjoy]] is standing in queues.
[[What most people prefer]] is others doing the work.
It doesn’t matter [[where you sit]].
[[To take such a risk]] was rather foolish.

 COMPLEMENT: DIRECT OBJECT

I brought [[what I could buy]].
I ate [[what was there]].
Did he find [[ what he was looking for]]?
I enjoy/hate/love [[travelling by bus]].
 Embedded clauses – functions
Complement (Indirect Object and Completive
of Preposition)
 COMPLEMENT: INDIRECT OBJECT. IDENTIFY:
Save whoever comes the trouble of waiting.
Give whatever you think best priority.

 COMPLEMENT: COMPLETIVE. IDENTIFY:

I strongly object to what you’re insinuating.
The party will have to draw on whatever resources it
can.
They are all arguing about how much to charge for
admittance.
They stand below where we would like them to be.
 Embedded clauses – functions
Indirect Object and Completive of
Preposition
 COMPLEMENT: INDIRECT OBJECT
Save [[whoever comes]] the trouble of waiting.
Give [[whatever you think]] best priority.

 COMPLEMENT: COMPLETIVE OF PREPOSITION:

I strongly object to [[what you’re insinuating]].
The party will have to draw on [[whatever resources it
can]].
They are all arguing about [[how much to charge for
admittance]].
They stand below [[where we would like them to be]].
 Embedded clauses – functions
Subject Complement and Object
Complement
 COMPLEMENT: SUBJECT COMPLEMENT. IDENTIFY:
My advice is to withdraw.

My main problem is standing in queues.

This is how you should do it.

 COMPLEMENT: OBJECT COMPLEMENT. IDENTIFY:

Our supporters’ enthusiasm has made the club what it is
today.

Dye your shoes whatever colour you want.

 Embedded clauses – functions
Subject Complement and Object
Complement
 COMPLEMENT: SUBJECT COMPLEMENT:
My advice is [[to withdraw]].
My main problem is [[standing in queues]].
This is [[how you should do it]].

 COMPLEMENT: OBJECT COMPLEMENT:

Our supporters’ enthusiasm has made the club [[what it
is today]].

Dye your shoes [[whatever colour you want]]

Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses

Opinion Essay 1
Unfortunately in today’s society there are
many people who cannot read, write or even
do arithmetic. I strongly believe that, although
subjects such as Art and Music are obviously
important, English and Math are the most
fundamental part of our education.
In the first place, the ability to read and write
and to do simple calculations gives you the
necessary tools to deal with everyday matters.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
Unfortunately in today’s society there are
many people [[who cannot read, write or even
do arithmetic]] Q in NG. I strongly believe
[[that, although subjects such as Art and Music
are obviously important, English and Math are
the most fundamental part of our education]]
C = DO.
In the first place, the ability [[to read and write
and to do simple calculations]] Q in NG gives
you the necessary tools [[to deal with
everyday matters]] Q in NG.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
For example, being able to read and write
allows you to communicate and express
yourself clearly. Moreover, you unquestionably
need basic maths for such daily chores as
doing the shopping, paying your bills and
managing your money effectively.
Furthermore, it is essential to have a good
knowledge of English and Maths in order to
find even the simplest job. Reading, writing
and mathematical skills are the minimum
requirements that most employers demand
and they must therefore be developed at
school.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
For example, [[being able to read and write]] S
allows you to communicate and express
yourself clearly. Moreover, you unquestionably
need basic maths for such daily chores as
[[doing the shopping, paying your bills and
managing your money effectively]].Cv of prep
Furthermore, it is essential [[to have a good
knowledge of English and Maths]] S in order to
find even the simplest job. Reading, writing
and mathematical skills are the minimum
requirements [[that most employers demand
and they must therefore be developed at
school]]. Q in NG
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
On the other hand, it can be argued that
Art and Music are just as significant as
English and Maths these days. For instance,
learning how to draw or play an instrument
can introduce a child to a whole new world.
In addition to this, subjects such as Art and
Music can provide children with a well-
rounded education rather than just basic
skills.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
On the other hand, it can be argued [[that
Art and Music are just as significant as
English and Maths these days]] S. For
instance, [[learning how to draw or play an
instrument]] S can introduce a child to a
whole new world. In addition to this,
subjects such as Art and Music can provide
children with a well-rounded education
rather than just basic skills.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
All in all, though, it seems to me
that English and Maths are vital
subjects. Unless they learn to read,
write and do arithmetic, people may
have difficulties coping with even
the simplest tasks in everyday life
and getting ahead in their life and
work.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 1
All in all, though, it seems to me
[[that English and Maths are vital
subjects]] S. Unless they learn to
read, write and do arithmetic,
people may have difficulties [[coping
with even the simplest tasks in
everyday life and getting ahead in
their life and work]] Q in NG.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 2
Problem-Solution text

Heavy traffic, air pollution and litter are among

the most serious problems that modern cities
face nowadays. Ours is no exception. What can
we do, then, to help make our city more
pleasant to its residents?

First of all, it would probably be a good idea to

encourage people to use public transport
instead of their cars, especially when
commuting to work. The result would be fewer
cars on the roads and therefore fewer traffic
jams.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 2
Problem-Solution text

Heavy traffic, air pollution and litter are among

the most serious problems [[that modern cities
face nowadays]] Q in NG. Ours is no
exception. What can we do, then, to help make
our city more pleasant to its residents?

First of all, it would probably be a good idea

[[to encourage people to use public transport
instead of their cars, especially when
commuting to work]] S. The result would be
fewer cars on the roads and therefore fewer
traffic jams.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 2
Problem-Solution text
Secondly, steps should be taken in order to solve the
problem of air pollution. The situation could be improved
if factories were moved out of the city and were located
far from them. If this happened, the air would not be so
polluted.

Finally, efforts should be made to make our city a

cleaner and healthier place to live. A useful suggestion
would be to put more litter bins in the streets and
encourage people to use them. If this was done, people
would most probably stop dropping their rubbish on the
ground, and our city would be cleaner.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses
Opinion Essay 2
Problem-Solution text
Secondly, steps should be taken in order to solve the
problem of air pollution. The situation could be improved
if factories were moved out of the city and were located
far from them. If this happened, the air would not be so
polluted.

Finally, efforts should be made to make our city a

cleaner and healthier place [[to live]] Q in NG. A useful
suggestion would be to put more litter bins in the streets
and encourage people to use them. If this was done,
people would most probably stop dropping their rubbish
on the ground, and our city would be cleaner.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses

Opinion Essay 2
Problem-Solution text
There are many ways to make our city a better
place to live. Adopting some of these measures
would definitely result in better living
conditions and would ensure happiness and
good health for everyone.
Integration practice – Identifying
embedded clauses

Opinion Essay 2
Problem-Solution text
There are many ways [[to make our city a
better place to live]] Q in NG. [[Adopting
some of these measures]] S would definitely
result in better living conditions and would
ensure happiness and good health for
everyone.
Analysing the structure of clauses
with embedded clauses in them
In the first place, the ability [[to read
and write and to do simple calculations]]
Q in NG gives you the necessary tools
[[to deal with everyday matters]] Q in
NG
Analysing the structure of clauses
with embedded clauses in them
In the first place, the ability [[to gives
read and write and
to do simple
calculations]]

you the necessary tools [[to deal

with everyday matters]]
Analysing the structure of clauses
with embedded clauses in them
In the first place, the ability [[to gives
read and write and
to do simple
calculations]]
Acon S F/P

you the necessary tools [[to deal

with everyday matters]]

C (IO) C (DO)
Analysing the structure of clauses
with embedded clauses in them

Appreciating art demands being exposed to it

S F/P C (DO)
Embedded clause VGp Embedded clause