The document discusses the differences between phrases and clauses, with phrases being fragments containing more than one word that lack a subject and predicate, while clauses are larger fragments that can form a complete sentence. It also examines independent clauses that can stand alone versus dependent or subordinate clauses that cannot. The document analyzes examples of subordinate clauses and their function as complements or adverbials in complex sentences.

1. Phrases, clauses and the complex sentence Think? What is the difference between a phrase and a clause? We have covered so far different types of phrases: NP, VP, AdjP, AdvP, PossP. A phrase is a sentence fragment containing more than one word and lacking the subject and predicate structure typical of clauses (traditional grammar definition) (e.g. VP: pick up) A clause is a sentence fragment, larger than a phrase.

2. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses Types of clauses: Independent Dependent or subordinate Independent clauses can stand alone, whereas dependent clauses cannot. e.g. When I got home, I ate dinner.

3. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses 2. Subordinate clauses Consider the following examples: Ziyad inquired of Ahmed if she liked car racing. Someone mentioned to me that Peter has a massive social problem. I no longer have a social life because I am writing a demanding article. Think? What do you notice about the underlined constituents?

4. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses Features of Subordinate clauses: They are part of a COMPLEX SENTENCE A clause is basically a sentence. We use this term mainly when talking about one of the sentences within a complex sentence. The underlined constituents, mentioned earlier, are said to be subordinate clauses or embedded clauses because they are part of a larger sentence, which is called the main clause.

5. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses Think? Are the underlined constituents complements or adjuncts? Ziyad inquired of Ahmed if she liked car racing. Someone mentioned to me that Peter has a massive social problem. I no longer have a social life because I am writing a demanding article. These constituents are complements for the following reasons: They are obligatory elements. For instance the sentence: *Ziyad inquired of Ahmed is not a complete sentence

6. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses However, what happens if we omit the first word used in the underlined constituent (i.e. if, that, because) Answer: These constituents form a complete sentence. These words are called COMPLEMENTIERS

7. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses Not all clauses require complementisers, as shown in the following examples: Mary thought Harry was a good drummer. Christine said Peter should go home. In the examples above, no complimentisers exist, but we still can say that the underlined constituents are subordinate clauses because they act like complement of the verbs think and say. Because we cannot omit complimentisers, therefore these play the role as heads of the Complementiser Phrase (CP) and the Complementiser bears the symbol of C.

8. Syntax part 5: Phrases and clauses Drawing the tree: CP C S That she should go

9. Various uses of CPs: VP cp v asked whether she should go. n’ cp n idea that he was a genius Exercice: draw trees for the following sentences: She said John lied, they asked if they can sing, I fell asleep because I became bored

10. Function of subordinate clauses Function of Subordinate clauses Noun: What you see is what you get. Cp. A Ferrari is a car Adverb: When we sing, we will feel happy. Cp. We will feel happy everyday. Adjective: The person who you know has left. Cp. The bad person has left.

11. Exercice Exercise (pair work) Each of the following subordinate clauses is a fragment. Make a complete sentence by placing an independent clause and draw the tree diagram: Example: After I ate a salad Answer: After I ate a salad, I ordered dessert. I ordered dessert after I ate a salad. a. If I were rich b. Since I didn’t see you at the party c. Until Sally finds her textbook d. When I finally save up enough money e. While you were sleeping