Syntax - přednášky

→ I don´t understand the theory that there are a lot of black holes in the universe.

1. The universe started with a big bang. There is also that idea.

→ There is also the idea that the universe started with a big bang.

1. Of course we hope to rid the world of poverty. But can we?

→ Is there any hope that we can rid the world of poverty?

1. Neil Armstrong remarked when he stepped on to the moon, “That´s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Everyone remembers this.

→ Everyone remembers Neil Armstrong´s remark that it was one small step for a man and one giant leap for mankind.

1. Shakespeare observed that “all the world´s a stage”. I’m not sure whether I agree.

→ I´m not sure whether I agree with Shakespeare's observation that all the world is a stage.

Several kinds of subordinate clauses

1. Kind – Relative clauses

• Their function is post-modification

1. Kind – appositive clauses

• Their function is post-modification of noun phrases (those phrases are limited by abstract nouns) – identity of reference

1. Kind – nominal (noun) clauses

• Their function is subject, object, complement

1. Kind – different types of adverbial clauses

2. Kind – comment clauses

• They express different types of comments

Comment clauses

• Superior role to sentence elements

• Superordinate to the rest of the sentence because they are mainly peoples comments on what’s going on

• Speaker’s comment on what is being said

1. There were no other applicants, I believe, for that job.

Like a main clause

1. I am working the night shift, as you know.

An adverbial finite clause

1. What was more upsetting, we lost our luggage.

Like nominal relative clause

1. I’m not sure what to do, to be honest.

Like To-infinitive clause

1. I doubt, speaking as a layman, whether television is the right medium for that story.

Like Ing-clause – non-finite clause

1. Stated bluntly, he had no chance of winning.

Like Ed-clause

1. There were no other applicants, I believe, for that job. (comment clause)

I believe (that) there were no other applicants for that job. (nominal THAT clause)

1. You know, I think you’re wrong. (comment clause) – “you know” = filler

You know (that) I think you’re wrong. (nominal THAT clause)

Exercise – multiple subordinate clauses

This is the place where it happened. (defining relative clause, bcs it specifies the place -> which place?)

This is where it happened. (nominal relative clause, after to be we always have a complement; we start with a WH- element) -> This is the place where it happened. -> Nominal RC)

We often met at the time when we both sang in the choir. (defining relative clause <- which time? we specify it)

We often met when we both sang in the choir. (adverbial clause of time <- when did we meet?)

May is when she takes her last examination. (nominal relative clause <- to be + NRC functioning as a C)

(S) Whatever doubts she had (V) were quickly dispelled. (nominal relative clause)

(A – finite clause – O S V) Whatever doubts I may have, we must continue (M - SV). (adverbial clause of concession)