Mihai ION Basic English Syntax

COMPLEX SENTENCES (Nominal Clauses)

Type of Clause (Function) Subject (S) Introduced by that, wh-word Examples That she has achieved such fame surprises her. Its true (that) shes never had cookery lessons. How she wrote her first book is a story in itself. Where to start was a problem. [non-finite] Her belief is that preparing good food is a matter of taste and patience. The problem was which would be better. The problem is which to choose. [non-finite] You cant deny the fact that shes brilliant. The question where she gets her recipes is now solved. The question where to start is a worry. [non-finite] She believes (that) vegetables are best eaten in season. You can see why Toms parents are so proud of him. Do you know whether shes writing another book? Im wondering what to do. [non-finite] Ill give whoever wants one a copy.

Predicative (SC)

that, wh-word

Appositional (Appo)

that, wh-word

Direct Object (DO)

that, wh-word

Indirect Object (IO) Object Complement (OC) Adjectival Complement (AC) Prepositional Complement (PC)

wh-word

wh-word

He can call his new book however he wants. Kate painted her room how she wished.

that, wh-word

Shes glad (that) people like her paintings. Im not sure who gave me this pencil. I am uncertain how to cook this. [non-finite] From what you say, shes brilliant. Its a question of which to choose. [non-finite]

prep + wh-word

Mihai ION Basic English Syntax

COMPLEX SENTENCES (Relative Clauses)

Type of Clause (Function) A. Defining [no commas] (a) Personal (S) (O) (PC) (Possessive) (b) Non-personal (S) (O) (PC) (Possessive) Introduced by Examples

that, who, (prep) whom, whose The girl that/who lives next door is a friend of mine. Is that the man __/that/who(m) you met on holiday? The boy __/that/who I was telling you about is in Spain. The boy of whom I was talking is now in Spain. [fml] The young man whose car was stolen went to the police. that, (prep) which, whose, noun + of which A dog that/which barks all night is a nuisance. Im enjoying this book __/that/which I borrowed from the library. This cat __/that/which Im so fond of belongs to my aunt. This cat of which Im so fond belongs to my aunt. [fml] Last year they stayed in some Irish village whose name theyve now forgotten. Last year they stayed in some Irish village the name of which they have forgotten. [fml]

B. Non-defining [with commas] (a) Personal who, (prep) whom, whose (S) (O) (PC)

(Possessive) (b) Non-personal (S) (O) (PC) (prep)which, whose, noun + of which

Susan, who came on holiday with us, is now in Scotland. My brother, who(m) you met last year, has got a new job. His girlfriend Jane, who(m) we were talking about, is coming tonight. His girlfriend Jane, about whom we were talking, is coming tonight. [fml] The Grants, whose house has been burgled six times, never go on holiday now.

(Possessive)

I dont like the Grants dog, which barks all night. Im re-reading Great Expectations, which I havent read for years. St. Pauls Cathedral, which the guide was referring to, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. St. Pauls Cathedral, to which the guide was referring, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. [fml] Canterbury, whose cathedral is famous, is in Kent. Canterbury, the cathedral of which is famous, is in Kent. [fml]