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Non-finite subordinate clauses

Q: What are the three major kinds of non-finite clauses?

The three major kinds of non-finite clauses are: 1. INFINITIVAL - Example: He wants to see you. 2. GERUND-PARTICIPIAL - Example: Buying a car was a mistake. 3. PAST-PARTICIPIAL - Example: All things considered, it's OK.

Q: How do infinitivals differ from gerund-participials and past-participials?

Infinitivals consist of the plain form of the verb, with or without the marker to . - Gerund-participials and past-participials use verb forms: Gerund-participle Past participle

Q: What grammatical considerations apply to the overt subject in non-finite clauses?

In non-finite clauses: 1. Infinitivals: Subject can occur with 'for' as subordinator. - Example: For them to be late is unusual. 2. Gerund-participials: Personal pronoun usually in accusative, sometimes genitive. - Example: We objected to them/their being given extra privileges. 3. Past-participials: Overt subject present.

Q: What are the functions of infinitivals?

Functions of infinitivals include: Subject: To err is human Complement of a verb (determined by head verb) Complement of a noun (e.g., her willingness to compromise) Complement of an adjective (e.g., willing to compromise) Adjunct (e.g., to keep fit) Modifier of a noun (e.g., an album to keep the photos in)

Q: What are common markers of coordination?

Coordination is typically marked by: Coordinators: and, or, nor, but Determinatives: both, either, neither Main patterns often show a coordinator in the last coordinate.

Q: Can you provide examples illustrating various patterns of coordination?

Examples of coordination patterns: We have no milk and the shops aren't open. Her brother came too, but didn't stay long. We can meet on Monday, on Thursday or at the weekend. Both Jill and her husband attended the meeting. No overt marking: He was self-confident, determined, egotistical.

Q: What is the main function of prepositions concerning gerund-participials?

Prepositions generally take gerund-participials as complements rather than infinitivals . However, exceptions exist with phrases like: in order so as Example: She stayed at home in order to study for the exam.

Q: What is required for functional likeness in coordination between coordinates?

Coordination should exhibit: Similar grammatical structure. Alike functions (not necessarily class). Examples of acceptable coordination include main clauses, subordinate clauses, and phrases.

39 important questions on Non-finite subordinate clauses

What are the three major kinds of non-finite clauses?

The three major kinds of non-finite clauses are:
1. INFINITIVAL
- Example: He wants to see you.
2. GERUND-PARTICIPIAL
- Example: Buying a car was a mistake.
3. PAST-PARTICIPIAL
- Example: All things considered, it's OK.

How do infinitivals differ from gerund-participials and past-participials?

Infinitivals consist of the plain form of the verb, with or without the marker to.
- Gerund-participials and past-participials use verb forms:

Gerund-participle
Past participle

What grammatical considerations apply to the overt subject in non-finite clauses?

In non-finite clauses:
1. Infinitivals: Subject can occur with "for" as subordinator.
- Example: For them to be late is unusual.
2. Gerund-participials: Personal pronoun usually in accusative, sometimes genitive.
- Example: We objected to them/their being given extra privileges.
3. Past-participials: Overt subject present.

What are the functions of infinitivals?

Functions of infinitivals include:

Subject: To err is human
Complement of a verb (determined by head verb)
Complement of a noun (e.g., her willingness to compromise)
Complement of an adjective (e.g., willing to compromise)
Adjunct (e.g., to keep fit)
Modifier of a noun (e.g., an album to keep the photos in)

How is coordination defined in grammatical terms?

Coordination involves:

Relation between two or more items of equal syntactic status.
Items are known as COORDINATES.
One item is not a Dependent of another.

What are common markers of coordination?

Coordination is typically marked by:

Coordinators: and, or, nor, but
Determinatives: both, either, neither
Main patterns often show a coordinator in the last coordinate.

Can you provide examples illustrating various patterns of coordination?

Examples of coordination patterns:

We have no milk and the shops aren't open.
Her brother came too, but didn't stay long.
We can meet on Monday, on Thursday or at the weekend.
Both Jill and her husband attended the meeting.
No overt marking: He was self-confident, determined, egotistical.

What is the main function of prepositions concerning gerund-participials?

Prepositions generally take gerund-participials as complements rather than infinitivals. However, exceptions exist with phrases like:

in order
so as

Example: She stayed at home in order to study for the exam.

How are the examples structured in the provided coordination patterns?

The provided coordination examples are structured as follows:
1. Coordination marked by the last coordinator.
- Example: We have no milk and the shops aren't open.
2. Coordinators present in all non-initial coordinates.
- Example: We can meet on Monday, or on Thursday or at the weekend.

What is required for functional likeness in coordination between coordinates?

Coordination should exhibit:

Similar grammatical structure.
Alike functions (not necessarily class).
Examples of acceptable coordination include main clauses, subordinate clauses, and phrases.

What distinguishes joint coordination among coordinates?

Joint coordination involves:

Shared properties applying to all coordinates.
Exclusion of determinatives.
Restriction on using "but" as a coordinator.

What types of sentences can have coordination among their parts?

Coordination can occur in:

Main clauses (compound sentences).
Subordinate clauses.
Phrases and words.
Examples include adjective and noun phrases, subordinate clauses.

Why is the coordination in example [iii] unacceptable?

Unacceptability arises from:

Different functions; "Rome" is a Complement, while "next week" is an Adjunct.
Both are noun phrases but do not meet the functional likeness condition.

What do acceptable coordinates have in common in examples [i] and [ii]?

Acceptable coordinates share:

Same functional role; both are Predicative Complements in [i].
Complements in [ii] allow standing independently within their context.

How does joint coordination differ from regular coordination?

Joint coordination is unique because:

Properties apply jointly rather than separately to coordinates.
Cannot separate individual properties from the set they belong to.

What impact does likeness of class have in coordination?

Likeness of class ensures:

Proper coordination between elements in a sentence.
Creates grammatical accuracy, enabling clearer communication.

What is the significance of the grammar of the clause in expressing core meanings differently?

Different constructions allow expression variations:

Various formats enable different presentations of information
Core meaning remains unchanged
Examples of constructions:

1. PREPOSING

POSTPOSING
INVERSION
PASSIVE
EXISTENTIAL
EXTRAPOSITION
CLEFT
PSEUDO-CLEFT
DISLOCATION

What are some examples of different constructions that can express the same core meaning?

Key examples of constructions:

PREPOSING: "This one you can keep."
POSTPOSING: "I've lent the only copy that has been corrected to Jill."
INVERSION: "In the bag was a gold watch."
PASSIVE: "The car was driven by Sue."
CLEFT: "It was Kim that suggested it."

What does the term "information-packaging constructions" refer to?

Information-packaging constructions refer to:

Ways to present the same information differently
Each form alters focus or emphasis
Includes several construction types:

1. EXISTENTIAL

EXTRAPOSITION
PSEUDO-CLEFT
DISLOCATION

How do these constructions affect understanding in communication?

These constructions can affect understanding by:

Changing emphasis on specific information
Presenting details in varied sequences
Enabling clarity or obscurity based on structure
Ensuring the core meaning remains consistent

What is the basic position for the Complement in the discussed constructions?

The standard placement of the Complement is:

After the verb, as in [i].
Preposed at the front of the clause, as seen in [a].

Where does the Object typically appear in the discussed constructions?

The Object generally appears:

Just after the verb, as indicated in [ii].
Long or complex elements can be postposed, which means placed at the end.

How are the Subject and Complement reversed in inversion constructions?

In inversion constructions:

The positions of the Subject and Complement from the basic version [b] are swapped, indicated in [a].
This is termed Subject-Dependent inversion.

What transformation occurs in the 'active' voice as described?

In the 'active' voice:

The Object becomes Subject.
The Subject changes to Complement of by.
The auxiliary BE is added.

How does the existential construction function with the verb BE?

In the existential construction:

The basic Subject follows the verb BE.
The pronoun there takes over the Subject function.

What changes occur with the Subject in construction [vib]?

In construction [vib]:

The Subject is a subordinate clause, shown as (that she is ill).
It is extraposed after the verb phrase, with it taking over the Subject function.

How is a cleft clause formed according to the provided information?

A cleft clause is structured by:

Dividing the basic version into two parts.
Highlighting one part (Kim) as a Complement with it as the Subject.

What characterizes the pseudo-cleft construction compared to cleft clauses?

In the pseudo-cleft construction:

The subordinated part is in a fused relative (what I need).
This relative functions as the Subject of BE.

How does dislocation differ from the basic version?

Dislocation is characterized by:

An extra noun phrase set apart intonationally.
Relating to a pronoun in the main Subject-Predicate part.
LEFT and RIGHT variants position pronouns differently.

What is the significance of basic counterparts in grammar?

Basic counterparts may not be canonical; examples include:

Non-canonical sentences can be interrogative or passive.
Example: "Was the car driven by Kim?" → "Did Kim drive the car?"
Certain information-packaging constructions are possible.

When might an information-packaging construction be the only option?

Under specific circumstances, the expected basic counterpart can be ungrammatical. Examples include:

"There was an accident" is correct.
"*An accident was" is incorrect; existential construction is obligatory.

How do passives differ from actives in English grammar?

Key differences between passives and actives include:

Passive "by phrase" is optional, whereas the active subject is obligatory.
Example: "Some mistakes were made by Ed." vs. "*Made some mistakes."
Short passives lack active counterparts, allowing omitted information.

Who authored the grammar text referenced, and when was it published?

The text was written by:

Rodney Huddleston & Geoffrey K. Pullum
Published by Cambridge University Press in 2002.
A shorter undergraduate version appeared in 2005.

What is a lexeme and how does it differ from a word?

A lexeme is an abstract concept that includes:

Forms like do, does, and did are all variations of the single lexeme DO.
Lexemes ignore inflectional differences.

What classification mistake is attributed to traditional grammar regarding participles?

Traditional grammar has a common misconception regarding:

Participles as part of a compound verb.
Example: "checking" in "She was checking the figures" is misclassified.

How do "may" and "might" differ in contemporary usage?

Usage of "may" and "might" reflects divided opinions:

Some speakers allow "may" in specific constructions.
They treat "may" and "might" as distinct present tense forms, not preterite.

What terminology does Functional Grammar use differently compared to standard terminology?

In Functional Grammar, the term "Attribute" is used for:

The most common type of Predicative Complement.
This differs from the standard terminology used in other grammatical frameworks.

What are the implications of using short passives in English?

Short passives result in several implications:

They are the more common type of passive.
Allow omission of information required in an active structure.
Example: "Some mistakes were made." lacks an active form.

How does traditional grammar treat the phrase "before she left"?

The phrase before she left is considered a clause due to:

Usage of the subordinating conjunction before
Significance in analysis rather than just a phrase

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

A SHORT OVERVIEW OF ENGLISH SYNTAX

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