Nominal clauses

NOMINAL CLAUSES perform syntactic functions typical of a noun: subject, object and predicative.

1. Subject clauses

A SUBJECT CLAUSE may be introduced by conjunctions (that, if, whether, because, the way), conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which) conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, how, why) and asyndetically.

What I need is a piece of good advice.

Because I ask too many questions doesn’t mean I am curious.

It’s a pity you were absent.

A subject clause can be introduced by the anticipatory (introductory, dummy) pronoun “it”.

It is strange that I am here.

(In this case we can change the word order and do without “it”: That I am here is strange.)

NOTE: Subject clauses are not separated by a comma.

2. Object clauses

AN OBJECT CLAUSE may be introduced by conjunctions (that, if, whether, lest), conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which), conjunctive adverbs (where, when, whenever, why, how) and asyndetically.

I wonder what you are doing here.

They were delighted with what they saw.

I knew you would come.

I could say nothing but that I was sorry.

I know when I am wasting time.

An object clause can refer to the anticipatory “it”.

I found it strange that she could speak so calmly.

NOTE: Object clauses are not separated by a comma.

3. Predicative clauses

A PREDICATIVE CLAUSE performs the function of a predicative (i.e. the nominal part of the compound nominal predicate) and always follows link verbs (to be, to feel, to seem, to appear, to remain, to become, to sound).

A predicative clause may be introduced by conjunctions (that, if, whether, as, as if, as though, because, lest, the way), conjunctive pronouns (who, whoever, what, whatever, which), conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, how, why) and asyndetically.

The fact is that I have forgotten everything.

The only reason for my coming is because I hoped to see you again.

You look as if you were happy.

The problem is you don’t attend the classes.

The question is not who will come, but who will stay.

It appears he hasn’t been here.

A predicative clause may follow he main clause in which the subject is expressed by the impersonal pronoun “it”.

It appears as if the spring began by the act of Parliament.

Care should be taken not to confuse this last type of sentence with a sentence with a subject clause which begins with anticipatory pronoun “it”. With a subject clause “it” can be removed. Compare:

It seems that there is no cure. (predicative)

It seems evident that there is no cure. (=That there is no cure seems evident.) (subject)

NOTE: Predicative clauses are not separated by a comma.

Attributive clauses

ATTRIBUTIVE CLAUSES serve as an attribute to some noun or pronoun in the principal clause. This noun or pronoun is called ANTECEDENT [ænti’si:dənt]

A TTRIBUTIVE CLAUSE

RELATIVE CLAUSE (It qualifies the antecedent.) This is the house I live in. The only man who is really free is the one who can turn down an invitation to dinner without giving an excuse. Time engraves our faces with all tears we have not shed.

APPOSITIVE CLAUSE (It discloses the meaning of the antecedent expressed by an abstract noun.) Conjunctions: that, if, whether, as if, as though Conjunctive adverbs: how, why Not asyndetically No comma She had a warm desire that the conversation might continue.

LIMITING (RESTRICTIVE) (It restricts the meaning of the antecedent and cannot be removed.) Relative pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose, as Relative adverbs: where, when Asyndetically No comma He was a man one always forgot. The university is the place where I go to. French is something I don’t speak. It is the lesson when we sleep. Time is all I need.

DESCRIPTIVE (NON-RESTRICTIVE) (It gives additional information about the antecedent and can be removed.) Relative pronouns: which, who, whom, whose Relative adverbs: where, when Not asyndetically Comma I consulted my father, who promised to help me. She returned to The Hague, where I remained for a week. SENTENTIAL (CONTINUATIVE) (Its antecedent is the whole principal clause.) Relative pronoun: which Not asyndetically Comma The students are here, which is very nice. (=the fact is good)

NOTE 1: The antecedent of an appositive clause can be only an abstract noun with a very general meaning (thing, reason, idea, point, moral, comment, remark, fact, feature, question, etc.) and it gives its content. An appositive clause cannot be asyndetical.

The question whether it was he or not he was hotly

discussed.

She had a strange sensation as if something had happened.

If the clause does not disclose the meaning of an abstract noun, but qualifies it, it is a relative clause: Compare:

The idea that something must be done occurred to me. (appositive)

The idea that occurred to me was vague. (relative limiting)

NOTE 2: A relative pronoun introducing a limiting clause can be omitted only if it an object in the subordinate clause. If it is the subject of the subordinate clause, it cannot be omitted. Compare

This is the book that was brought yesterday. (subject. cannot be omitted)

This is the book that I bought yesterday. (object. can be omitted. This is the book I bought yesterday.)

NOTE 3: If the antecedent is modified by the demonstrative pronoun such, the relative pronoun as is used:

Mary was playing the piano with such feeling as couldn’t be expected.

NOTE 4: If the antecedent is expressed by everything, something, anything or nothing, the relative pronoun that is generally used, or else the clause is joined asyndetically.

NOTE 5: The relative pronoun whose can refer not only to living beings but also to things.

I live in a house whose roof is green.

NOTE 6: A sentential (continuative) clause is a sort of a descriptive clause. It refers not to a single word, but to the whole principal clause. it can be introduced only by the relative pronoun which.

Helen passed the exam, which pleased her no end.

I live near the university, which is very convenient.