SUBORDINATION

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  It is possible to have more than one S node in a sentence. The example ,

the cat which is lying on the mat loves dogs ,

consists of a MAIN CLAUSE (S1) (the cat loves

dogs) and a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (S2)

(which is lying on the mat )

A clause may exists alone or it may join up with other clauses as in the

example :)the cat which is lying on the mat

loves dogs ( 

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Subordination  

Most of our example sentences consisted of one clause.

 (1 )Kate hugged the baby.(2) The dog found a bone.

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We can, of course, take the same subject and say different things about it in different sentences.

 

(3 )The cat is mad .(4 )The cat loves dogs.

 

Alternatively we can join the clauses together to form one sentence . By subordinating one clause to another 

(5 )The cat that is mad loves dogs.   Nora Alharbi

In example (5) the cat loves dogs becomes the main clause; that is mad is the subordinate clause introduced by a Subordinator, the relative pronoun that. These two clauses do not carry equal weight or importance: the subordinate clause is

often less important than the main clause .Alternatively we could subordinate the cat is mad .

to The cat loves dogs . The cat that loves dogs is mad  

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The cat that loves dogs is mad.

In this example, the assertion the cat loves dogs has become less important than the assertion the cat is mad. In other words, the cat is mad ,

has become the main clause and the cat loves dogs has become the subordinate clause .

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S1

NP

DET

The

N

N

cat

S2

That (pres) loves dogs

VP

Vgp

)Intens(

AUX

TENSE

(pres)

V

is

AP

A

mad

 

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-Relative clause

The cat that loves dogs is mad

-A Relative clause modifies the head noun of a noun phrase.

- The whole unit (the cat that loves dog) is a noun phrase, Functioning as one constituent by substituting the pronoun it .

Function : The cat that loves dogs is mad

S p sC

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-Subordinate clause (that loves the dog) is Embedded in the main clause (the cat is mad)

S1

NP VP

DET N1 V NP

N S2 N

The cat that is mad loves dogs

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Another way of showing embedding is by the use of square brackets.

1- {s1 the cat{s2 that is mad} loves dogs

Function:

}The cat that is mad { loves dogs

S P dO

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Adverbial clause

Subordinate adverbial clauses add information in relation to manner , time , place and so on.

For example: (15) I will give you the next clue when you are ready .

All adverbial clauses begin with a subordinator . In example (15)the subordinator is when. Nora Alharbi

Adverbial clause

Another example:

(16)We must be careful because there is a ghost. In this example the adverbial clause begin with a subordinator because.

There is no option to omit the subordinator in adverbial clauses.

The function of subordinate adverbial clauses is adverbial .

I will give you the next clue when you are ready

S P i O d O ANora Alharbi

Noun clauseIn some cases it is possible for clauses rather than phrases to

function as subjects or objects. These types of clause are called noun clauses. For example:

(1) How he deals with the deficit is grossly important

The subordinate clause is the subject,How he deals with the deficit is grossly important

S P SC

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(2) I know (that) they like methe subordinate clause is the direct object of a

transitive verb,

I know they like me S P dO

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Complement Clause

Subject complementA subordinate clause can also appear with an

intensive verb and function as the subject complement. For example:

The most important thing is that you’re happy

S P sC

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Non-finite verbs Finite Clauses: that is clause where the

verbs carry tense.There are occasions when NON- FINITE or untensed verb can appear in subordinate clauses. The form of non – finite verbs is either:to+ infinitivefor example (40)She wants to hold the baby.

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Bare infinitive (that is infinitive without to)

For example (41)She made him hold the baby.Or the –ing participle

For example (42)She left him holding the baby.

And –en participle : for exampleBored by the baby, she left

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Post-modifierLike relative clauses, non-finite clauses can function as post-modifiers to head nouns.

For example:

[ The letter [ for you to type ] is on your desk ]

The form of this non-finite verb is to + infinitive )to type( and by post-modifying letter, it forms part of the subject NP.

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We can analyse this as follows:

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As with the other noun post-modifiers (pp and relative clause) we are arguing that letter for you to type is an constituent.

Head nouns can also be post-modifiers by the -ing and –en participles. For example:

• The cat lying on the doorstep is asleep• Those books scattered over the floor are yours

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S1

VP NP S2

NP Vgp PRO]trans[

AUX V DET N

TENSE

Whistling cheerfully he (past) typed the letters

Whistling cheerfully he typed the letters

A S P dO

AdverbialNon-finite clauses can also function as adverbials. For example, -ing participle:

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Subject

Like clauses non-finite clauses can also appear as subject:

Going to parties is fun

S P sCNora Alharbi

DIRECT OBJECTNon-finite clauses, like noun clauses, can

also function as direct objects

She wants to hold the baby

S P dONora Alharbi

T h a n k y o u

N o r a A m e r A l h a r b i

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