1. Beyond Phrases: Sentences and Clauses
Modern English Grammar 2
Session 10

2. Let’s revisit a few concepts from early last semester
Try these …

3. for the structure trees
Try to find
example sentences
for the structure trees on
pages 145 and 147
MEG-2
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4. 18.1 Sentences vs. Clauses a)NP
infl. VP
Det N V NP
infl. VP
past
the
boy
ran
Det N V NP
past
Det N
the
boy
ran a
mile
MEG-2
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5. 18.1 Sentences vs. Clauses b)
conj. Cl NP
infl. VP NP
infl. VP
past
past
conj.
the dog
ran up to me
but
the cat
slept on NP
infl. VP
past I
got home.
when
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6. 18.2.1 Coordination S Cl Cl conj. NP infl. VP NP infl. VP past past
Mary
read the paper so
John
cooked supper
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7. 18.2.1 Subordination S Cl NP infl. VP Cl past conj. NP infl. VP Mary
subordinate clauses can be initial, medial or final
read the paper
past
because
John
cooked supper
MEG-2
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8. 18.2.1 Embedding S conj + clause replace e.g. “it” (NPObj) Cl NP infl.VP
past Cl
conj.
Mary
read
embedded clauses are usually fixed in their place in the sentence S NP
infl. VP
past
that
John
cooked supper
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9. Do
Exploration 1 on
page 148
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10. 18.2.1 Conjunctions a) Conjunction c/s Conjunction c/s Conjunction c/s
after s
although/though s
and c as s
because s
before s
but c
even if s
even though s
for c if s
in order that s
nor c
once s or c
provided that s
rather than s
since so that s so c
than s
that s
unless s
until s
when/whenever s
where/ wherever s
whereas s
whether s
while s
why s
yet c
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11. Coordinators
F or
A nd
N or
B ut
O r
Y et
S o
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12. Do
Activity 1 on
page 149
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13. 18.2.1 Conjunctions b) Co-ordinating Conjunctions
and
but
for or
nor so
yet
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
although/though as
because
before
even if
even though if
in order that
once
provided that
rather than
since
so that
than
that
unless
until
when/whenever
where/ wherever
whereas
whether
while
why
MEG-2
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14. Do
Activity 2 on
page 149
MEG-2
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15. 18.2.2 Finite vs. Non-Finite clauses
The new president made his first public speech yesterday.
The new president announced new measures to curb inflation.
finite clause
The new president,
announced new measures to curb inflation.
when he made his first public speech yesterday,
non-finite clause
The new president,
announced new measures to curb inflation.
making his first public speech yesterday,
Break!
Missing/invisible or implied Infl elements
person
number
tense
aspect
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16. Do
Exploration 2 on
page 150
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17. 18.2.2 Finite vs. Non-Finite b)
Many parents were concerned about the lack of an official response. They complained to the council.
Finite
Many parents (,) who were concerned by the lack of an official response(,)complained to the council.
Non-finite
Many parents, concerned by the lack of an official response, complained to the council.
I was talking about open heart surgery.
Most people didn’t like it.
Finite
Most people didn’t like (the fact) that I was talking about open heart surgery.
Non-finite
Most people didn’t like me talking about open heart surgery.
MEG-2
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18. 18.2.2 Finite vs. Non-Finite b)
I work hard all day.
I like watching TV to relax.
Finite
After I have worked hard all day, I like watching TV to relax.
Non-finite
After working hard all day I like watching TV to relax.
She read the story.
It gave details about the Prince’s affair with Camilla.
Finite
She read the story which gave details about the Prince’s affair with Camilla.
Non-finite
She read the story giving details about the Prince’s affair with Camilla.
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19. Do
Exploration 3 on
page 150
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20. 18.2.3 Functions of clauses a)
Many parents, who were concerned by the lack of an official response, complained to the council.
Many parents complained to the council.
concerned
Adjectival Clause
Many parents, concerned by the lack of an official response, complained to the council.
Most people didn’t like (the fact) that I was talking about open heart surgery.
Most people didn’t like
my talk.
Nominal/Noun Clause
Most people didn’t like me talking about open heart surgery.
MEG-2
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21. 17.2.3 Functions of clauses b)
After I have worked hard all day I like watching TV to relax.
After a hard day’s work
I like to watch TV to relax.
After working hard all day I like watching TV to relax.
Adverbial Clause
She read the story which gave details about the Prince’s affair with Camilla.
She read the story
“Prince
appositional clauses (non-finite) can sometimes be swapped around
has affair with Camilla”
She read the story giving details about the Prince’s with Camilla.
Appositional Clause
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22. Do
Activity 3 on
page 151
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23. 18.2.3 Functions of clauses c)
Clause Type
examples
replaced XP
finite or not
Nominal Clause
I know that I can’t do this very well. NP f
I’m aware of not being able to do this very well. nf
Adjectival Clause
My friend cooked a meal which was big enough to feed an army.
AdjP f
Note: embedded clauses can’t be shifted whereas subordiate ones can
My friend cooked a meal big enough to feed an army. nf
MEG-2
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24. 18.2.3 Functions of clauses d)
Clause Type
examples
replaced XP
finite or not
Adverbial Clause
Before you initiate speech, you should switch on your brain.
AdvP f
Before initiating speech, you should switch on your brain. nf
Appositional Clause
The politician who people so often talk about is really vain.
Appos-ition f
The politician so often talked about is really vain. nf
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25. As a recap, do Exploration 4 on page 150
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26. adjectival / appos-itional
18. Recapitulation a)
finite ?
coord./ subord./ embed.
type of clause
That-clause postmodifies “amused
1. Victoria was not amused that the television wasn’t working. f e
nominal
2. They never heard from him again but never really gave up hope. nf c
m cls
clause replaces NPobj of “said”
3. She said she would come over later. f e
nominal
4. For Andrew something is either the best thing since sliced bread or he has nothing but scorn for it. f c
m cls
5. The information, eagerly awaited, turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. nf e
adjectival / appos-itional
modifies “information” either like an adjective (eagerly awaited information) or as an apposition (eagerly awaited news)
MEG-2
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27. 18. Recapitulation b) clause postmodifies “important”
6. This is an important point to bear in mind. nf e
adverbial
clause postmodifies “enough”
7. The noise was enough to drive you crazy. nf e
adjectival
8. Despite having been invited to the dinner party they didn’t cancel their previous engagement. nf s
adverbial
two clauses can be swapped around
9. The people from the call centre always phone when I’m about to sit down for supper. f s
adverbial
two clauses can be swapped around
10. Her excuse, that she hadn’t known about the resignation at the time, convinced nobody. f e
appositional
that-clause cannot be swapped around, apposition
11. Breaking up is never easy. nf e
nominal
clause replaces NPsubj
12. The idea was that we would cook for everybody. f e
nominal
clause is the complement of linking verb “was”
MEG-2
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28. Home Study
Exploration 2 on page 154
MEG-2
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29. Modern English Grammar
Bye for now…
And now, sadly, there are only four sessions left of your favourite class
Modern English Grammar
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