ENGLISH GRAMMAR II

Unidad 6

Contenidos conceptuales Bibliografía

LA ORACIÓN COMPLEJA (B) Greenbaum and Quirk.

Cláusulas nominales – Cláusulas -That - - Cláusulas WH – Chapters

Cláusulas yes-no – Cláusulas exclamativas – Cláusulas nominales- 15.1 a 15.8,
relativas – Cláusulas no conjugadas - 16.17 a 16.23,
16.33 a 16.37
Lenguaje indirecto y la escritura: verbos cita. Forma. Distintos 16.38 a 16.41
métodos de atribución de autoría. Significado y uso. 18.23 a 18.24

Análisis funcional de cláusulas nominales subordinadas. Biber et al:

Chapter
10.1 a 10.11; 10.5

INTRODUCTION

This unit will explore the use of different types of nominal clauses. This guideline will focus
on one particular type: nominal THAT clauses

Nominal clauses are also called complement clauses. Nominal clauses often occupy a noun
phrase slot in a clause (Subject, Object, Complement of the subject, Extraposed subject,
Extraposed object, etc.). Nominal clauses can also complete the meanings of an adjective
(in adjectival complementation) a noun (in apposition) or a preposition (in prepositional
complementation).

Look at the chart below describing the possible functions of nominal THAT clauses and watch
the video in section MATERIALES – UNIT 6, presenting an explanation of the different types
of nominal that clauses and their analyses. Link: UNIT 6 - NOMINAL THAT CLAUSES.mp4

FINITE NOMINAL CLAUSES

NOMINAL THAT CLAUSES: FUNCTIONS (Greenbaum & Quirk, 1990; Section 15.3)

Nominal that clauses which can function as elements in the syntactic structure
S That the evening could still be counted a success was partly
due to the attack of the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir.

Od Afghan officials have said that more than 260 people have
died.

1
 Od (with The Aviator leads the shortlist, but critics believe the night may
elliptical “that”) belong to Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby.

Cs The tragedy is that it will not set up that business in

any region.

EXTRAPOSED It is also important that the intellectual foundation of a

Subject building is not too remote.
Extraposed We should make it clear that those countries are not
Object completely self-sufficient.
Nominal that clauses which function at the level of the phrase (rankshifted). (Clauses in
apposition= noun complement clauses / Clauses in adjectival complementation= adjective
complement clauses)
IN APPOSITION There is some evidence that the use of illicit drugs is
increasing.
IN ADJECTIVAL Mr Abbel is adamant that he is doing nothing inappropriate.
COMPL.

Activity 1: In nominal THAT clauses the word that functions as complementizer. That can
sometimes be omitted. Read Greenbaum & Quirk (1990) Section 15.3 and Biber et al (2002)
Section 10.8.2 and answer the following questions.

1- What is a “zero that clause”?

2- Which factors favor the omission of THAT? Explain and provide examples.
3- There are two cases in which THAT cannot be omitted? Explain.
4- Which factors favor the retention of THAT? Explain and provide examples.

Activity 2: That clauses functioning as OD are the most frequent type of that clauses. Read
Biber et al (2002) 10.1 to 10.11. Analyze the table in page 315 (copied below) and answer the
following questions.

1- What verbs do most frequently control the appearance of THAT-clauses

functioning as OD?
2- Are there register differences? Explain.

2
Activity 3- Adjectives may be followed by a that clause, which may function as either
adjectival complementation or extraposed subject. Read Sections 10.7.1 and 10.7.2 in Biber
et al (2002) and answer the following questions:

1- Which adjectives frequently control post-predicate THAT clauses (i.e. in adjectival

complementation)?

2- Which adjectives frequently control extraposed THAT clauses?

3
Activity 4: Read Biber et al (2002) Sections 10.3.3 and Greenbaum and Quirk (1990) Sections
18.23 to 18.24 and answer:

1- What is postponement?
2- What two clause elements realized as clauses can be postponed? Provide your own
examples of postponed subordinated nominal that clauses realizing these two elements.

4
IMPORTANT: An important function of nominal That clauses is their use in apposition (also
called noun complement clauses). This function will be explored in detail in Unit 8, where we
will explore two ways of postmodifying nouns: relative clauses and nominal clauses in
apposition.

GROUP WORK - QUIZ H: In the shared document in the following link provide one example for
each of the following categories. HIGHLIGHT the subordinate clause you are illustrating. Use
Lextutor to find the examples . Below are the charts you are going to find in the shared
document.

2022 QUIZ H -Group work- THAT Clauses Unit 6

Nominal that clauses which can function as elements in the syntactic structure

Subject Example That the evening could still be counted a success was
partly due to the attack of the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Nominal that clauses which can function as elements in the syntactic structure

Direct Example Afghan officials have said that more than 260 people have
Object died.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

5
 Group 5

Nominal that clauses which can function as elements in the syntactic structure

Subject Example The tragedy is that it will not set up that business in
Complement any region.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Nominal that clauses which can function as elements in the syntactic structure

Extraposed Example It is also important that the intellectual foundation of a

subject building is not too remote.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Nominal that clauses which can function as elements in the syntactic structure

Extraposed Example We should make it clear that those countries are not
Object completely self-sufficient.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

6
 Group 4

Group 5

UNIT 6: NOMINAL CLAUSES – PART 2

Nominal clauses

1. FINITE
a. THAT CLAUSES (explored in DOCUMENT Unit 6 part 1)
b. Wh clauses (interrogative- nominal interrogative) Section 1 in this
document
c. If/whether clauses Section 2 in this document
d. Exclamative clauses Section 3 in this document
2. NON- FINITE section 4 in this document
a. TO INFINITIVE CLAUSES
i. WH-TO INFINITIVE CLAUSES
ii. IF/WHETHER TO INFINITIVE CLAUSES
b. ING CLAUSES
c. BARE INFINITIVE

SECTION 1: wh clauses (Under this heading we have included interrogative and nominal
relative clauses)

Read Greenbaum and Quirk (1990) Sections 15.4 and 15.5. Look at the chart below the
questions and the video exemplifying the analysis. UNIT 6 - NOM WH CLAUSES.mp4

1- Compare the functions of wh- interrogative clauses with those of that clauses.
Which function is possible for wh- clauses that is not possible for that clauses?
2- How do wh- interrogative clauses resemble wh- questions?
3- When are Wh- subordinate clauses likely to present SV inversion?

NOMINAL WH- INTERROGATIVE CLAUSES: FUNCTIONS

S Why this should be so will be discussed in a moment.

Od No one knows how they feel.

Oi Tell whoever you see your story.

Cs That was not what engineers had thought about.

IN ADJECTIVAL I’m not sure how happy we will be in the future.

COMPL.
EXTRAPOSED It is a puzzle why there should be two main classes of
Subject patterns.
EXTRAPOSED Maybe, you haven’t made it clear what you meant with it.

7
 Object
IN I have no idea how it went around and up in the northern
APPOSITON hemisphere.
IN PREP. It all depends on how you use it.
COMPL.

SECTION 2: If/whether clauses

Activity: (Quirk 15.5)

Read Greenbaum and Quirk (1990) Section 15.5. Look at the chart below the questions and
the video exemplifying the analysis. UNIT 6 - NOM IF_WHETHER CLAUSES.mp4

1) Which subordinators can introduce yes-no and alternative clauses?

2) In what sense is IF more restricted syntactically than WHETHER?

NOMINAL IF/WHETHER CLAUSES: FUNCTIONS (Quirk 15.5)

S Whether they do it by name or by status level really doesn’t

matter.
Od I don’t know if you have ever seen hunger.

Cs The question is whether this can be achieved without some

form of outside aid.
IN ADJECTIVAL I’m still not sure whether it was right or wrong.
COMPL.
EXTRAPOSED It is not certain whether whales thousands of kilometres
Subject apart communicate directly with each other.
EXTRAPOSED He should make it clear if he agrees with us.
Object
IN I had no idea whether my insurance was active or not.
APPOSITION
IN PREP. It was a dispute between my dad and me about whether
COMPL. there was a God or not.

SECTION 3: Exclamative clauses

8
Read : Greenbaum and Quirk (1990) Section 15.6. Look at the chart below the questions and
the video exemplifying the analysis in the following link: UNIT 6 - NOM EXCLAMATIVE CL.mp4

NOMINAL EXCLAMATIVE CLAUSES: FUNCTIONS (Quirk 15.6)

Od Perhaps they haven’t considered how difficult the task is.

EXTRAPOSED It’s amazing how many people leave out one or more of those
Subject essential details.
IN PREP. And I had no doubts about how true this love was.
COMPL.

SECTION 4: Non-finite nominal clause

Watch the following explanatory videos:

● UNIT 6 - NON FINITE NOMINAL CLAUSES.mp4

● UNIT 6 - SUBJECT IN NON-FINITE CLAUSES.mp4

NON-FINITE NOMINAL CLAUSES

TYPE OF NON-FINITE FUNCTION EXAMPLE

CLAUSE

SUBJECT To err is human.

EXTRAPOSED It’s rude to wear a hat indoors.

SUBJECT

DIRECT OBJECT I want to know more.

TO INFINITIVE COMPLEMENT OF The order was to leave immediately.

THE SUBJECT
CLAUSES
COMPLEMENT OF I expect all this to be cleaned before
THE OBJECT 8 PM.

IN APPOSITION Her goal, to became a teacher, is

within her grasp at last

IN ADJECTIVAL We were sorry to miss your concert.

COMPLEMENTATIO
N

9
 Same functions as I don’t know what to say (Od)
● WH TO finite nominal wh
interrogative clauses The question is who to consult. (Cs)
INFINITIVE
CLAUSE
Same functions as He didn’t tell us whether to wait for
● WHETHER TO finite nominal him or not. (Od)
INFINITIVE if/whether clauses
I’m not sure whether to go or not.
CLAUSE
(Adj. Compl.)

SUBJECT Cramming for tests is not a good

study strategy

EXTRAPOSED It was tough answering all the

questions.
SUBJECT

DIRECT OBJECT People enjoy walking through the

-ING CLAUSES forests.

COMPLEMENT OF The most difficult part is parking the

THE SUBJECT car.

IN PREPOSITIONAL That is the most difficult part of

COMPLEMENTATIO learning a language.
N

IN APPOSITION The best exercise, just walking, is

also the least expensive.

IN ADJECTIVAL They were too busy cleaning the

COMPLEMENTATIO house.
N

-ED DIRECT OBJECT I will have my hair cut next week.

SUBJECT Turn off the tap was all I did.

OBJECT You can help bring about the change.

BARE INFINITIVE
COMPLEMENT OF What the plan does is ensure a fair
THE SUBJECT pension for all.

COMPLEMENT OF They helped me solve the problem.

THE OBJECT

10
INTEGRATION ACTIVITY - QUIZ I

Classify the highlighted examples in the text Opinions for and against US
intervention in Syria in collaborative the document (the link is below).
The first three clauses are presented as examples. Examples are
numbered. Each group should classify four cases.

2022 QUIZ I - NOMINAL CLAUSES PART 2

Subordinate Type Subclassification Syntactic function

clause #
Finite Non- Element in Rankshifted (at
finit the the level of the
e sentence phrase
1. X If/whether In adjectival
clause complementation
2. X Wh- clause subject
3. x Ing clause In prepositional
complementation
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Opinions for and against US intervention in Syria

By John Dickerson
Sens. John McCain (L) and Lindsey Graham I have expressed support for intervention in Syria.

Here is a preliminary typology of the distinct positions on intervention in Syria:

Against:

11
1. It will help Islamists: “Who is on America’s side over there? If the rebels win, will
they be American allies? Assad’s definitely not an American ally. But I’m not
convinced 1) whether anybody on the Islamic side … will be American allies.” —Sen.
Rand Paul, R-Ky.
2. Syria will be another Iraq: “We must learn the lessons of the past. Lessons from Iraq,
Afghanistan, Libya, and others. …We must recognize that 2) what happens in Syria
does not stay in Syria; the implications for the region are dire.” —Rep. Barbara Lee, D-
Calif.
3. Chaos will ensue: “Beyond the potential for 3) escalating the conflict and the killing,
we risk danger to our ally Israel, involvement by the Russians and the Iranians, and
blowback to the United States by radical groups operating in the region.” —Rep. Rick
Nolan, D-Minn.
4. Americans don’t want it: “Americans don’t support 4) what a war in Syria would
imply and neither does Congress. No clear U.S. interest or strategy. We don’t want
entanglement in this war.” —Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich.
5. Not in our national security interest: “After over a decade of war in the Middle East,
there needs to be compelling evidence 5) that there is an imminent threat to the security
of the American people or our allies before any military action is taken. I do not see 6)
how this situation would meet that threshold.” —Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V.
6. A strike won’t do anything: “If we’re not going to destroy or secure the [chemical]
stocks, if we’re not trying to change the regime, if this is all about making a point—and
not a particularly effective one at that—then that strikes me as a rather frivolous use of
American military power.” —Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.
7. 7) Saving credibility isn’t a reason to attack: “The president has laid down his red
line. Now I think he has to save face, so to speak, and shoot missiles into Syria.”–Rep.
Ted Poe, R-Texas.
8. Can’t do everything everywhere: People wonder 8) what the limitations on U.S.
power are. ... At what point are we going to stop being responsible for all the problems
in the world?” —Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the ranking Democrat on the House
Armed Services Committee.
9. Evidence is weak: “Yes, I saw the classified documents yesterday and I couldn’t
believe 9) how thin they are.” —Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, after a classified
briefing on evidence of a chemical attack by the Syrian regime.
10. Try more diplomacy first: “I am not sure 10) whether every diplomatic option has
been exhausted before the United States and its international partners contemplate any
military action in the region.” —Richard Neal, D-Mass.
11. You Break it You Bought it: 11) “What military intervention would do is 12) to make
it worse and make us responsible for that conflict.” —Rep. Chris Gibson, R-N.Y.
12. We’re going to inspire radicals: “People may wonder 13) whether or not American
involvement is not the fuel for the fire the Muslim Brotherhood—Rep. Robert
Aderholt, R-Ala.
13. It’s against the law: “Many US citizens don’t understand the argument of 14) why we
have the authority or even under international law to get involved in a civil war in
another country. “ —John Duncan, R-Tenn.
14. Opposed because there’s no draft: “For all of these excursions and intrusions
militarily, if members of Congress thought for one minute that [the country would be]
drafting their kids and their grandkids, you [would] not see this overwhelming sense of
patriotism that you see.” —Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.

12
15. No support until sequestration is lifted: “”I will not support any funding request for
an attack until the President acts to remove the burdens of sequestration from our
military.” —Michael Turner, R-Ohio.
16. No direct threat: “15) What is beyond doubt is 16) that not a single British citizen has
been attacked and not a single American citizen has been attacked.” —Alan Grayson,
D-Fla.
17. It will make responding to Iran harder: “getting involved in Syria, after Iraq and
Afghanistan, would make mustering our resolve to stop a nuclear Iran impossible.” —
Sen. David Vitter, D-La..
18. Should have acted sooner: “Had we forcefully engaged in empowering moderate
rebels, today we would have more and better options before us.” —Sen. Marco Rubio
(R-Fla.) explaining why he voted no against action in the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations.

FenceSitters:

1. We bomb and then what? “I’m concerned about the consequences of a military strike
in Syria, and what happens with step two, three and four after that.” —Sen. Lamar
Alexander, R-Tenn.
2. The resolution needs to be narrowed: “The White House has put forward a proposed
bill authorizing the use of force that, as drafted, is far too broad and open ended. It is not
clear whether it could be used to justify everything from a limited cruise missile strike
to a no fly zone and the introduction of American ground troops” —Rep. Adam Schiff,
D-Calif.

For:

1. Do it and do it now: ““We should strike in Syria today. It is astonishing 17) how
inhumane the use of chemical weapons can be. Those responsible should be forced to
suffer the consequences.” —Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.*
2. OK, but make it small: “Whatever action the United States takes, it has to be limited
action. Maybe it is not clear 18) how open our commitment should be, but it definitely
should not lead to American boots on the ground.” —Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.
3. Don’t want to embolden Iran: “Iran is watching to see 19) how we handle this. They
want to see how we respond as a test of how we will respond if and when they create
weapons of Mass destruction.” —Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y.
4. U.S. credibility at stake: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. 20) emphasized how
“catastrophic” rejecting a resolution against Syria would be. “It would undermine the
credibility of the United States of America and the president of the United States. None
of us wants that.”
5. Dictators are watching: “It sends a message to ... the ayatollah in Iran. … It sends a
message to North Korea about our determination to stop them from continuing to make
the Korean Peninsula. It sends messages to terrorist groups seek[ing] access to chemical
weapons, because the world will largely stand by when you use them.” —Sen. Robert
Menendez, D-N.J.Source: Adapted from:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/09/obama_congress_and_syria_arguments_for_and_against_the
_bombing_resolution.html

13
14