English Grammar 1 Module 3rd Year

English Grammar 1 Module 3rd Year
Topic 1
The Complex Sentence
Vocabulary:
- principal clause – головне речення

- subordinate clause – підрядне речення
- homogeneous clauses – однорідні речення
Definitions:
- The composite sentence is a sentence consisting of two or more clauses.

- A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause.
- A clause is part of a sentence which has a subject and a predicate of its own.
- A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it
merely complements a sentence’s main clause, thereby adding to the whole unit of
meaning.
- A direct object receives the action of the verb.
- An indirect object is the recipient of the action.
1. Subordinate clause
A subordinate clause may follow, precede, or interrupt the principal clause.
A complex sentence may contain two or more homogeneous clauses coordinated

with each other.
A subordinate clause may be subordinated to the principal clause or to another
subordinate clause. Accordingly we distinguish subordinate clauses of the first,
second, third, etc. degree of subordination.
2. Subordinate clauses function as different parts of the sentence (subject,
predicative, object, apposition, attribute, adverbial modifier)
Traditionally these numerous types of clauses are arranged in three groups:
 nominal clauses (that is, clauses functioning as nouns in various syntactical

positions)
 attributive clauses
 adverbial clauses
Subject clause
Subject clauses perform the function of subject to the predicate of the principal
clause.
Attention should be paid to the peculiar structure of the principal clause, which in
this case has no subject, the subordinate clause serving as such.
- What I want to do is to save us both. (Dreiser)
Subject clauses are connected with the principal clause in the following ways:
 by means of the conjunctions that, if, whether.

 by means of the connectives who, which, what, whoever, whatever
(conjunctive pronouns); where, when, how, why (conjunctive adverbs)
 asyndetically: It is a pity her brother should be quite a stranger to her.
(Eliot)
Subject clauses are not separated from the principal clause by а comma except
when we have two or more subject clauses coordinated with each other:
- Who her mother was, and how she came to die in that forlornness, were
questions that often pressed on Eppie's mind. (Eliot)
Complex sentences with subject clauses may be of two patterns:
 when a subject clause precedes the predicate of the main clause;

 when a subject clause is in final position, the usual place of the subject being
occupied by formal IT
Predicative clause
Predicative clauses perform the function of a predicative. The peculiarity of
complex sentences with a predicative clause is that in the principal clause we find
only part of the predicate, i. e. a link verb, which together with the predicative
clause forms a compound nominal predicate.
A predicative clause may be introduced by conjunctions (that, whether, whether...

or, as, as if, as though, because, lest, the way), or connectives. The latter may be
conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which) or conjunctive
adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, how, why).
As a rule predicative clauses are not separated by a comma; a comma is used if we

have two or more predicative clauses coordinated with each other.
N O T E In a sentence containing a subject clause and a predicative clause the

principal clause is represented only by the link verb:
- What we want to know is what the French are going to do now. (Greene)
Object clause
An object clause may be introduced by conjunctions (that, if, whether, whether...

or, lest), or connectives. The latter may be conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever,
what, whatever, which), or conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when,
whenever, why, how).
An object clause may refer to any verbal form, either finite or nonfinite:
- Jon followed, wondering if he had offended her.

- I don‘t know why I like you so much.
- I left her to do whatever she thought fit.
 Object clauses may refer to some adjectives expressing perception, desire,

feeling, assurance (certain, sure, sorry, pleased, desirous, jealous, anxious,
etc.), and to statives (aware, afraid, etc.).
- I’m very sorry I disturbed you.

- He was terrified that she would forget about it soon.
 After adjectives and participles denoting wish or intention (anxious,

determined, interested, etc.) the object clause may imply purpose:
- I am anxious that you should succeed.

As a rule object clauses are not separated by a comma from the principal clause. A
comma may or may not be used if the object clause precedes the principal clause.
- What happened then I do not know. (Conan Doyle)
Attributive clause
Attributive clauses function as modifiers to a word of nominal character, which is

generally called the antecedent. Usually an attributive clause immediately follows
its antecedent, although some types may occasionally be distant.
An attributive clause may be introduced by connectives - relative pronouns (who,

whose, whom, what, which, that, as), or relative adverbs (when, where, whence,
wherein). The choice of relative word depends on the categorical meaning of the
antecedent.
 If the antecedent denotes a living being, the relative pronoun who, whom,
whose, or that is used.
 If the antecedent denotes a thing or notion, the relative word which, whose,
or that is used; of these that is less formal.

English Grammar 1 Module 3rd Year

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Grammar 1 Module 3rd Year

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Grammar 1 Module 3rd Year

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Grammar 1 Module 3rd Year

- principal clause – головне речення

- The composite sentence is a sentence consisting of two or more clauses.

A subordinate clause may follow, precede, or interrupt the principal clause.

A complex sentence may contain two or more homogeneous clauses coordinated

Traditionally these numerous types of clauses are arranged in three groups:

 nominal clauses (that is, clauses functioning as nouns in various syntactical

- What I want to do is to save us both. (Dreiser)

 by means of the conjunctions that, if, whether.

Complex sentences with subject clauses may be of two patterns:

 when a subject clause precedes the predicate of the main clause;

A predicative clause may be introduced by conjunctions (that, whether, whether...

As a rule predicative clauses are not separated by a comma; a comma is used if we

N O T E In a sentence containing a subject clause and a predicative clause the

An object clause may be introduced by conjunctions (that, if, whether, whether...

- Jon followed, wondering if he had offended her.

 Object clauses may refer to some adjectives expressing perception, desire,

- I’m very sorry I disturbed you.

 After adjectives and participles denoting wish or intention (anxious,

- I am anxious that you should succeed.

- What happened then I do not know. (Conan Doyle)

Attributive clauses function as modifiers to a word of nominal character, which is

An attributive clause may be introduced by connectives - relative pronouns (who,

You might also like