Exercise

Exercise: Complements

Basic structures of the clause

Clausal elements or functions enter into varied relationships with each other to express different types
of proposition concerning different situations. These are exemplified as follows:

SP

The researcher / resigned.

The research / failed.

The principal reseacher’s main aim to understand falling overseas sales / has failed.

SPOd

Jones / investigated / sales.

The researcher / studied / the reasons for the decrease in overseas sales.

SPOiOd

The researchers / have sent / the editorr / the paper.

The Ministry of Education / awarded / the researchers / a grant.

SPOp

You / can rely / on the results.

The researchers / are looking / into the matter.

SPCs

My brother / has become / a professor.

Your exam results / were / better than mine

SPOdCo

Exercise
Exercise: Complements
Basic structures of the clause
Clausal elements or functions enter into varied relationships with each other to
express different types of proposition concerning different situations. These
are exemplified as follows:
SP The researcher / resigned.
The research / failed.
The principal reseacher's main aim to understand falling overseas
sales / has failed.
SPOd Jones / investigated / sales.
The researcher / studied / the reasons for the decrease in overseas
sales.
SPOiOd The researchers / have sent / the editorr / the paper.
 The Ministry of Education / awarded / the researchers / a grant.
SPOp You / can rely / on the results.
The researchers / are looking / into the matter.
SPCs My brother / has become / a professor.
Your exam results / were / better than mine
SPOdCo They / appointed / him / professor..
The committee / do not consider / Jones / much of a researcher.

The SPCs structure is very common in academic texts, with two complex
nominal groups joined with a linking verb such as "is". However, in such cases
the group structure is much more complicated.
For example:
Besides historiography and mathematical astronomy, another great innovation by the
Greeks of the fifth century BCwas the art of tragedy.
Exercise: SPCs Clause Structure
Examples of Clause Elements
Subject (S) Tertullian enjoyed paradox. SPCsA
Predicator (P) The grant ended this week. SPA
Direct Object (Od) Jones has published a new book. SPOd
They sent their colleages copies of the
Indirect Object (Oi) SPOiOd
research.
Prepositional Object
You must allow for price increases. SPOprep
(Op)
Subject
He is powerless to make any changes. SPCs
Complement(Cs)
Object
We consider the research important. SPOdCo
Complement(Co)
Adjunct (A) The paper was published on Tuesday. SPOdA

Realisation of Clause Elements

These elements of clause stucture are realised by various word, groups or
clauses. In English there is no one-to-one correspondence between class of
unit (noun, verb, nominal group, finite clause, ...) and syntactic function
(subject, predicator, complement, adjunct). See: Grammar: Realisation of
Clause Elements
Combining Clauses
Clauses can also combine to form complex or compound sentences.
They / appointed / him / professor..

The committee / do not consider / Jones / much of a researcher.

The SPCs structure is very common in academic texts, with two complex nominal groups joined with a
linking verb such as "is". However, in such cases the group structure is much more complicated.

For example:

Besides historiography and mathematical astronomy, another great innovation by the Greeks of the fifth
century BCwas the art of tragedy.

Exercise: SPCs Clause Structure

Examples of Clause Elements

Subject (S)

Tertullian enjoyed paradox.

SPCsA

Predicator (P)

The grant ended this week.

SPA
Direct Object (Od)

Jones has published a new book.

SPOd

Indirect Object (Oi)

They sent their colleages copies of the research.

SPOiOd

Prepositional Object (Op)

You must allow for price increases.

SPOprep

Subject Complement(Cs)

He is powerless to make any changes.

SPCs

Object Complement(Co)

We consider the research important.

SPOdCo

Adjunct (A)

The paper was published on Tuesday.

SPOdA

Realisation of Clause Elements

These elements of clause stucture are realised by various word, groups or clauses. In English there is no
one-to-one correspondence between class of unit (noun, verb, nominal group, finite clause, ...) and
syntactic function (subject, predicator, complement, adjunct). See: Grammar: Realisation of Clause
Elements

Combining Clauses

Clauses can also combine to form complex or compound sentences.