TOPIC 6: Nominal clause (1): The that-nominal clause
Outline of the lesson
Introduction
Objectives
Required reading
Key terms
Defining nominal clauses
Types of nominal clauses
that-nominal clause
form
functions
Summary
Self study questions and Class Project
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1.explain the term nominal clause.
2.identify the types of nominal clauses.
3.explain the form of the that-nominal clause.
4.discuss the functions of the that-nominal clause.
Key terms
Find the meaning of the following key words:
1.nominal
2.that-clause
3.zero that-clause
4.form
5.ellipsis, ellipted, elliptical
Required Readings
Quirk, R. & Greenbaum, S. (1973). A university grammar of English. Essex: Longman. (pp. 316-322)
Thompson, G. (2014). Introducing functional grammar (3rd ed.). New York & London: Routledge. (pp. 14-26)
Introduction
In Weeks 4 and 5, we examined classes of clauses based on their form or structure.
We arrived at three classes: finite, non- finite and verbless. We indicated that the distinctive character of the verbless clause is that its verbal element is ellipted .
In this and the following weeks, we will be examining types of clauses based on their functions.
Defining a nominal clause
A nominal clause is a rankshifted (or embedded) clause which performs functions normally associated with the noun group.
We derive the word ‘nominal’ from the word ‘noun’.
Can you recall some of the functions of the noun group? Please write two of them down in your notebook for discussion.
Defining nominal clause
1. What we know already is not important now.-Nominal clause
subject:what we know already
verbal group:is not (finite predicator)
complement:important (adjectival group)
adjunct:now (adverbial group)
2.I heard that you passed the paper.
subject:I (noun group)
verbal group:heard (finite/predicator)
object:that you passed the paper (nominal clause)
Consider the examples explained in the last two slides again:
1.What we know already is not important now.
2.I heard that you passed the paper.
Can you explain why the constructions highlighted are clauses? Why will you say that they are rankshifted (or embedded)?
A nominal clause can be finite (1) or non- finite (2). Therefore, when you identify a nominal clause, you also have to state whether it is finite (1) or non-finite (2):
1.What I ate is not your concern.
2.What to eat is the problem now.
Types of nominal clauses
vWe can identify five main types of nominal clauses in English, and they are distinguished based on their form. Note that they all share similar functions; that is why they are called nominal clauses:
v
that-nominal clause
wh-nominal clause
nominal relative clause
infinitive nominal clause
bare-infinitive nominal clause
to-infinitive nominal clause
– ing nominal clause
This lesson focuses on the that-nominal clause.
that-nominal clause
The that–nominal clause is normally introduced by the subordinator that:
(1) That they are good students (subject) is (finite verb/predicator) true (complement).
My fear (subject) is (finite/predicator) that the semester will be a difficult one (complement).
The that-nominal clause is always a finite clause.
Functions of the that-nominal clause
that-nominal clauses can function as:
Subject
Object
subject Complement
Complement of an adjective
A.Subject
that-nominal clauses are highlighted:
1.That she is still alive is a consolation.
2.That the sun rises from the east is a fact.
3.That men are stronger than women is arguable.
4.That tramadol abuse is on the increase is surprising.
The that-nominal clause can function as direct object:
1.I believe that he was wrong.
2.We know that help will come.
3.She noted that it was good to abstain.
They observed that they were being pampered
. subjectComplement
The that-nominal clause can also occur as (subject) Complement:
1.The theory is that child development proceeds instages.
2.His facial expression seems that he has beendisappointed.
3.The offence is that she insulted thehusband.
4.It appears that she left her book on thefloor.
adjectiveComplement
The that -nominal clause can function as an adjective Complement:
1.I’m sure that things willimprove.
2.The man is hopeful that he will get ajob.
3.They are happy that we havecome.
Zero that-nominal clause
When the that-nominal clause is Object or adjective Complement, the conjunction that can sometimes be ellipted. In such instances, it is called zero that-clause.
Examples:1.I know (that) my redeemerlives.2.They told me (that) my redeemerlives.3.It is clear (that) he is not coming.4.I believe (that) Covid-19 isreal.Note: the brackets mean the conjunction “that” can be ellipted. Also note that we cannot omit that in: I saw that he wasleaving:
*I saw he was leaving
SUMMARY
In this lesson, we have discussed that:1.Nominal clauses are typically rankshifted clauses that perform functions normally associated with the noun group. e.g. Subject, Object, etc.2.that-nominal clauses are introduced by the conjunctionthat.3.The conjunction that can sometimes be ellipted when thethat-nominal clause is Object.
4.that-nominal clauses perform the following functions: Subject, (direct) Object, subject Complement, adjective Complement.
Self Study Questions
1.Identify the functions of the that-nominal clauses highlighted in the following sentences:a)It is clear that she’s not accepting her boyfriend back.b)This assumption, that COVID-19 is a devilish disease, is unfounded.c)That we must improve our personal hygiene in this period is important.d)I saw that he was leaving the room.e)I know he’s not a fool.
f)The assertion that all men all equal is arguable.
class project
Find out the circumstances in which the conjunction that can be ellipted in Object position and the circumstances in which it cannot be ellipted in Object position. You can compare examples in the reading materials and also consult the internet.
Outline of the lesson
Introduction
Objectives
Required reading
Key terms
Defining nominal clauses
Types of nominal clauses
that-nominal clause
Summary
Self study questions and Class Project
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1.explain the term nominal clause.
2.identify the types of nominal clauses.
3.explain the form of the that-nominal clause.
4.discuss the functions of the that-nominal clause.
Key terms
Find the meaning of the following key words:
1.nominal
2.that-clause
3.zero that-clause
4.form
5.ellipsis, ellipted, elliptical
Required Readings
Quirk, R. & Greenbaum, S. (1973). A university grammar of English. Essex: Longman. (pp. 316-322)
Thompson, G. (2014). Introducing functional grammar (3rd ed.). New York & London: Routledge. (pp. 14-26)
Introduction
In Weeks 4 and 5, we examined classes of clauses based on their form or structure.
We arrived at three classes: finite, non- finite and verbless. We indicated that the distinctive character of the verbless clause is that its verbal element is ellipted .
In this and the following weeks, we will be examining types of clauses based on their functions.
Defining a nominal clause
A nominal clause is a rankshifted (or embedded) clause which performs functions normally associated with the noun group.
We derive the word ‘nominal’ from the word ‘noun’.
Can you recall some of the functions of the noun group? Please write two of them down in your notebook for discussion.
Defining nominal clause
1. What we know already is not important now.-Nominal clause
subject:what we know already
verbal group:is not (finite predicator)
complement:important (adjectival group)
adjunct:now (adverbial group)
2.I heard that you passed the paper.
subject:I (noun group)
verbal group:heard (finite/predicator)
object:that you passed the paper (nominal clause)
Consider the examples explained in the last two slides again:
1.What we know already is not important now.
2.I heard that you passed the paper.
Can you explain why the constructions highlighted are clauses? Why will you say that they are rankshifted (or embedded)?
A nominal clause can be finite (1) or non- finite (2). Therefore, when you identify a nominal clause, you also have to state whether it is finite (1) or non-finite (2):
1.What I ate is not your concern.
2.What to eat is the problem now.
Types of nominal clauses
vWe can identify five main types of nominal clauses in English, and they are distinguished based on their form. Note that they all share similar functions; that is why they are called nominal clauses:
v
that-nominal clause
wh-nominal clause
nominal relative clause
infinitive nominal clause
bare-infinitive nominal clause
to-infinitive nominal clause
– ing nominal clause
This lesson focuses on the that-nominal clause.
that-nominal clause
The that–nominal clause is normally introduced by the subordinator that:
(1) That they are good students (subject) is (finite verb/predicator) true (complement).
My fear (subject) is (finite/predicator) that the semester will be a difficult one (complement).
The that-nominal clause is always a finite clause.
Functions of the that-nominal clause
that-nominal clauses can function as:
Subject
Object
subject Complement
Complement of an adjective
A.Subject
that-nominal clauses are highlighted:
1.That she is still alive is a consolation.
2.That the sun rises from the east is a fact.
3.That men are stronger than women is arguable.
4.That tramadol abuse is on the increase is surprising.
The that-nominal clause can function as direct object:
1.I believe that he was wrong.
2.We know that help will come.
3.She noted that it was good to abstain.
They observed that they were being pampered
. subject Complement
1.The theory is that child development proceeds in stages.
2.His facial expression seems that he has been disappointed.
3.The offence is that she insulted the husband.
4.It appears that she left her book on the floor.
The that -nominal clause can function as an adjective Complement:
1.I’m sure that things will improve.
2.The man is hopeful that he will get a job.
3.They are happy that we have come.
Zero that-nominal clause
*I saw he was leaving
4.that-nominal clauses perform the following functions: Subject, (direct) Object, subject Complement, adjective Complement.
f)The assertion that all men all equal is arguable.
class project
Find out the circumstances in which the conjunction that can be ellipted in Object position and the circumstances in which it cannot be ellipted in Object position. You can compare examples in the reading materials and also consult the internet.
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