Intro_Subordination

Syntactic functions of subordinate clauses: Subject: that we need a new computer has become obvious. Od: he doesn’t know what to do. Oi: you can tell whoever is waiting that I’ll be back in ten minutes. Subject Complement/ subject predicative: one result is that the cost of the construction of the college will be very expensive. Object Complement/ object Predicative: I know her to be reliable. Adverbial: when you see them, give them my best wishes. In addition, subordinate clauses may function within these elements: Postmodifier in a NP: few of the immigrants retained the customs that they had brought with them. Adjectival complementation: we are happy to see you. NOMINAL CLAUSES: Subject: that the invading troops have been withdrawn has not frightened us. Od: I noticed that he spoke English with an Spanish accent. Sc: my assumption is that interest rates will soon fall. Appositive: you criticism, that no account has been taken of psychological factor, is fully justified. Adjectival complementation: we are glad that you are able to join us on our wedding anniversary. !!!!!!! But when the that-clause is a Od, complement or extraposed subject, the conjunction that is omitted except in formal use. Ex: is a pity you don’t know Russian.  Extraposed subject That cannot be omitted in a subject clause since without the subordinate marker the clause would be initially misinterpreted as a main clause: Ex: you don’t know Russian is a pity* That you don’t know Russian is a pity. WH INTERROGATIVE CLAUSES: Subordinate wh- interrogative clauses occur in the whole range of functions available to the nominal that clause and may function as a prepositional complement. Subject: how the book will sell depends on the reviewers. Od: I can’t imagine what they want with your address. Csubj: the problem is who will water my plants when I am away. Appositive: your original question, why we didn’t report it to the police earlier, has not yet been answered. Adjectival Complement: I’m not sure which she prefers. PrepC: the deadline will depend on when we start. These subordinate clauses resemble wh-questions semantically in that they leave a gap of unknown information represented by the wh- element.