2. We saw in chapter 5 that it is possible to have more than one sentence node in a sentence. e.g. the cat which is lying on the mat loves dogs. The example consist of MAIN CLAUSE (S 1 ) ( the cat loves dogs ) and a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (S 2 ) ( which is lying on the mat ). What is the word clause, subordinate, hypotactic and paratactic ?? A CLAUSE may exist alone or it may join up with other clauses. SUBORDINATE is to joining clauses together. A style of speech or writing using lots of subordination is called HYPOTACTIC. A style using little subordination is called PARATACTIC.
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4. e.g. The cat that is mad loves dogs. In this example, the cat loves dogs becomes the main clause , and that is mad is the subordinate clause . THAT is the relative pronoun . e.g. The cat that loves dogs is mad. The cat loves dogs has become less important than the cat is mad In other words subordinate clause is often less important than the main clause . Material in a subordinate clause can often be deleted if necessary. e.g. The cat loves dogs. The cat is mad.
5. S 1 NP VP DET N’ Vgp Adj P N S 2 AUX V Adj TENS The cat that (pres) loves dogs (pres) is mad [intens]
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7. Another way of showing embedding without the elaboration of a tree diagram is by the use of square brackets. e.g. [ S1 The cat [ S2 that is mad] loves dogs] One feature of relative clauses is that it is not necessary in every case for them to be introduced by a subordinator this can be optional. e.g. [ S1 The film [ S2 that I saw last night ] was really good] [ S1 The film [ S2 I saw last night ] was really good] A relative clause always forms part of a larger NP and so takes on the function of that NP. e.g. { The cat that is mad } (pres) loves dogs S P dO
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9. S 1 NP VP S 2 Vgp NP NP [ditrans] AUX V PRO DET N’ MOD AdjP N Adj I will give you the next clue when you’re ready
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11. S 1 NP VP PRO Vgp S 2 [trans] AUX V TENS I (pres) know they like me S P dO
12. You can see from example that, as with some relative clauses, the subordinator is not always essential. Because a noun clause function as an obligatory element in a sentence, that is as a subject or an object. The main clause cannot stand on its own, this is different from the main clauses in sentences containing a subordinate relative or adverbial clause.
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14. S 1 NP VP DET N’ Vgp S 2 [intens] AdjP N AUX V AdvP Adj TENS deg The most important thing (pres) is that you are happy
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16. S 1 NP VP PRO Vgp AdjP [intens] AUX V adj S 2 TENS I (pres) am sure that she must have known him
