Clauses of primary nominal position

 

Subordinate clauses of primary nominal positions or substantive-nominal clauses represent a type of clauses distinguished within the categorical classification. In many respects they are similar to nominal phrases and have a close connection with the main clause. In most general sense, their nominative function can be described as naming an event as a certain fact. Clauses of primary nominal position include subject, predicative and object clauses [8].

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.

A subject clause may be introduced:

1) by conjunctions (that, if, whether, whether...or, because, the way): Because I was drunk that night does not mean I have alcohol issues.

2) by conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which): Whatever I said to him would remain between us. Whoever I choose is none of your concern.

3) by conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, how, why): Why she has commited suicide remains a huge mystery to me.

4) asyndetically: It's funny you should think of it.

Subject clauses fall into two types:

1) When a subject clause precedes the predicate of the main clause: The way she behaves suggests she is no longer on your side.

2) When a subject clause is in final position, the usual place of it being occupied by formal it. This is typical of emphatic sentences: It is the dread of something after death that makes calamity of so long life. It is bigotry I most despise.

Аccording to another view, in such cases it represents the subject of the principal clause, and the sub­ordinate clause is a predicative clause.

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: It could not be more obvious, that he was covering for John, and that he was asked to do so.

A predicative / complement clause functions as predicative / subject complement to the link / copular verb (be, feel, look, seem, appear, sound, taste etc.) which doesn’t express complete predication without the clause. In the principal clause there is only part of the predicate, which together with the predicative clause forms a compound nominal predicate.

A predicative clause may be introduced:

1) by conjunctions (that, whether, whether...or, as, as if, as though, because, lest, the way): The thing to consider is whether this source can be trusted.

Predicative clause introduced by the conjunctions as, as if, as though shouldn’t be confused with adverbial clauses: It seems as if no one is aware of the situation (predicative clause). He leaned in as if he wanted to kiss her, but then changed his mind (adverbial clause).

2) by conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which): That's what makes me doubt his allegations. His warm smile is what I like best about him.

3) by conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, how, why): This little trickery was how he managed to get past the security. The best time is when you cuddle up with a book and a cup of hot cocoa.

4) asyndetically: It seems he's going to be late.

Predicative clauses may occur as parts of two types of sentences:

1. They may follow the main clause in which the subject is a notional word, although it usually has a very general meaning (thing, question, problem, news, rule, trouble): The most annoying thing is when someone ignores you.

2. The predicative clause may follow the main clause in which the subject is expressed by the impersonal pronoun it: It appears that I was wrong.

One shouldn’t confuse this type of sentence with a subject clause, which also begins with it. In the latter case the predicate of the main clause is complete, and it can be replaced by the subject clause: It seems that they lack confidence. (predicative clause). It is confidence that they seem to lack (subject clause).

As a rule predicative clauses are not separated by a comma, however, a comma is used if we have two or more predicative clauses coordinated with each other: The juicy news was, that Kate and Wesley were divorcing and that the spouses have not been entirely faithful to each other.

If sentence contains both subject and predicative clause the principal clause consists only of a link verb: What I can't understand is why this is so important.

Object clauses perform the function of an object to the predicate of the principal clause: A little bird told me that they are going to get married.

The object clause can modify:

1) a finite verb: She regretted that she didn't apply to the university.

2) a non-finite form of the verb: He was pleased to know that his efforts haven't been in vain.

3) an adjective: Despite all the preparations, I am a little apprehensive that something might still go wrong.

4) a word belonging to the part of speech expressing state: She was aware that someone else was in the room [19].

There are 4 ways in which object clauses are attached to the word they refer to:

1. An object clause may directly follow the word it refers to. In this case it is parallel in function to a direct object: I don't know what you are talking about.

A typical type of these object clauses is indirect speech following verbs of saying: The Ochmoneks asked him whether he would like to join them for dinner.

2. Object clauses parallel in function to indirect objects are quite rare, however, they might occur in speech when the object clause is be followed by a direct object: You may give whoever you like any toys.

3. Оbject clauses that function like a cognate object to a verb: He died what many people would consider a heroic death.

4. An object clause which is joined to the main by the prepositions after, about, before, beyond, for, near, of, as to, except, etc. In this case it is parallel in function to a prepositional non-recipient object:God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Object clauses are connected with the principal clause with the help of:

1) conjunctions (that, if, whether, whether...or, lest): I want you to know that I am not the kind of woman who'd let down a child.

2) conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which): I'll do whatever feels right. Women tend to intuitively know what man's heart wants.

3) conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, how, why): I still don't understand why it happened. We are yet to determine how the criminal escaped.

4) asyndetically: Jimmy promised he would invite her for a dance.

An object clause may be introduced by a preposition: Lusy was a little reluctant at first to tell the psychologist about what was troubling her.

An object clause is sometimes preceded by the introductory object it: I don't like it when she starts bossing me around.

In most cases 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 is his plan, I do not know yet.

If there are two or more homogeneous object clauses they are separated from each other by a comma: I am not sure whether they had your size, or if there was this model at all.