Subordination

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SUBORDINATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Complex sentences: sentences that consist of more than one clause. clause. Such sentences usually consist of matrix clause and at least one subordinate clause. Matrix and subordinate clause do not have the same syntactic status: status: subordinate clauses are syntactically dependent of matrix clause.
All subordinate clauses are embedded within another clause, therefore therefore they are known as
embedded clauses, e.g.: - I wondered [whether they wanted Lee to go]. - If you compare Lee with Kim, you should find [that Kim is taller].
Properties of subordinate clauses:

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they are often introduced by a small functional element known as complementizer or subordinator. The verb in the matrix clause not only selects a subordinate clause, it selects a subordinate clause with specific properties, and often, a specific type of complementizer. e.g. *I wondered that Lee had gone.
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Many subordinate clauses contain only a non-finite verb form. e.g. They want [to leave before breakfast]. Non-finite complement clauses usually have no overt subject, they have only an understood subject. An alternative option is a non-finite subordinate clause with an overt subject, e.g. They want [the girls to leave before breakfast].
Another role that subordinate clauses can fulfil: e.g. [That Chris liked Lee so much] really surprises me. These subordinate clauses are known as clausal subjects (or sentential subjects), because they are clauses, but also fulfil the requirement for the matrix verbs to have a subject. Subordination is not generally restricted to a depth of just one embedded clause. In most languages, complex sentences contain a potentially infinite number of subordinate clauses, e.g. They want to know whether wed expect to leave before breakfast.
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Such examples of recursion are typical for some languages. Each subordinate clause is dependent on the clause above it, and contained, or embedded, within the clause upstairs.
Each verb selects the following dependent clause as its complement.

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Not all subordinate clauses are complements required arguments of a matrix verb. Optional subordinate clauses are usually adverbial clauses, e.g. - He suddenly appeared, although nobody expected him. - If youre leaving early, please get up quietly.
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The clauses shown in brackets are all adjuncts, this means that they are not obligatory. In traditional grammar, these optional subordinate clauses are known as adverbial
clauses.
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a. Mel will come to work [after she gets paid]. b. [Because it was before dawn], we got up quietly. c. We walked up the hill [(in order) to see the castle]. d. We walked up the hill [for Lee to see the castle]. e. We walked up the hill [so (that) Lee could see the castle]. f. [While shutting the window], I accidentally knocked over the flowers.
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Some facts about main/root and subordinate clauses

Not all subordinate clauses are optional, some are required. Not all subordinate clauses would be possible independent clauses clauses (only if they have a finite verb form). 3. Subordinate clause may precede and/or follow the verb in the main main clause. 4. In a complex sentence there is just one main clause, but a potentially potentially infinite number of subordinate clauses.
1. 2.
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Each clause contains a main verb (a verb that carries most of the the semantic content in a clause, not an auxiliary). 6. Only matrix clauses have subject/auxiliary inversion, e.g. Did Mel persuade Kim to cook a nice meal? 7. Only matrix clause can have tag questions, e.g. We persuaded Kim to cook a nice meal, didn didnt we?
5.
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Verbless clause: ellipsis of the verb to be the subject, when omitted, can be treated as recoverable from the the context: Whether right or wrong, he will never be able to prove it. it can also be treated as reduction of nonnon-finite clause, e.g. Too nervous to reply, she stared at the floor. (Being too nervous....) it is basically an elliptical verb clause, the variations of its structure are limited; the most often patterns are SVSC and SVA
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Nominal clauses
thatthat-clause, e.g. I told him that he was wrong. whwh-interrogative clause: How the book will sell depends on its author. yesyes-no interrogative clause: I don dont know whether they will come. nominalnominal-relative clause: Home is where your friends and family are. toto-infinitive nominal clause: His wish is to be a pilot. nominalnominal-ing clause: Telling lies is wrong. bare infinitive and verbless clause.
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Exercises
I. Try to decide which of the subordinate clauses are adjuncts and which are complements. In the case of the complement clauses, what verbs are they a complement to? a. When Kim got on the train, someone said shed left her rucksack in the middle of the platform on a trolley. b. Unless we want to arrive late, we really need to be leaving now. c. To get to class on time, set your alarm for about 6.15 every Wednesday. d. To arrive on time feels brilliant. e. I promise to cook the meal while you sort the groceries.
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II. Identify the Nominal clause and its function within the sentence: sentence: 1. I can cant imagine what made him do it. 2. Whether she is late or not doesn doesnt concern me. 3. I am sure that things will improve. 4. What he is looking for is a book. 5. His favourite hobby is playing basketball. 6. She likes everyone to be happy. 7. WallWall-toto-wall carpet in every room is very expensive. 8. She was irritated by what you said.
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That he is not interested in the offer is known to us. 10. The belief that the soul is immortal is almost universal. universal. 11. The king ordered that the traitor should be put to death. 12. That he should refuse to pay his share was annoying.
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SUBORDINATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Properties of subordinate clauses:

Each verb selects the following dependent clause as its complement.

Some facts about main/root and subordinate clauses

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