§ 153. Predicative clauses may occur as parts of two structurally different kinds of sentences:

I. 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, sensation, evil, rule, trouble, etc.). In this case the predicative clause discloses the meaning of the subject.

The rule was that they walked down to the cliff path and travelled up in the lift.

The trouble was whether we could manage it ourselves or not.

The problem is not who will go, but who will stay.

II. The predicative clause may follow the main clause in which the subject is expressed by the impersonal pronoun it. In this case the predicative clause describes the situation, either directly or by means of comparison.

It appears he hasn’t been there.

It sounded as if even the spring began by act of Parliament.

Note:

Care should be taken not to confuse this last type of sentence with complex sentences with a subject clause, which also begins with it. In the latter case the predicate of the main clause is complete, whereas in the case of a predicative clause it consists only of the link verb. Compare the following sentences:

It seems that there is no cure. (a predicative clause)

It seems evident that there is no cure. (a subject clause, the predicate ‘seem evident’ is complete)

The complex sentence with an object clause

§ 154. 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.

She often reproached herself for what she had said.

He was terrified that she would forget about it soon.

An object clause may either follow or precede the main clause; it may be joined asyndetically and in this case it always follows the main clause.

Swithin said he would go back to lunch at Timothy’s.

What she thinks it would be impossible to say.

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.).

Certain that Hugh was really following the girl, he had but to keep him in sight and remain unseen.

I’m very sorry I disturbed you.

He was anxious lest somebody should guess his secret.

He was glad that no one was at home.

After some adjectives denoting a state (glad, sorry, happy, etc.) the object clause may imply semantically the cause of that state. This similarity to an adverbial clause of cause may present some difficulty in analysing such sentences as:

I am very sorry I disturbed you ——→ I am very sorry because I disturbed you.

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.

Occasionally an object clause may refer to a verbal noun.

She had green eyes and a spattering of what Joseph called American freckles across the bridge of her

nose.

Types of object clauses