Grammar: Complement Postmodification

Grammar in EAP

Complement clauses

Introduction

Another type of postmodification of a head noun in a nominal group is the noun complement clause.

that-complement clause:

This conforms conveniently with Maslow’s (1970) claim that human motivation is related to a hieracrchy of human needs.

The news that the research had succeeded was unexpected

to+infinitive complement clause:

Britain’s apparent ability to rally Commonwealth support at Chicago seemed to the Americans to be evidence of Britain’s continued world power.

of+ing complement clause:

The possibility of increasing dollar receipts was coupled with a belief that Africa could be a strategic centre for British power.

wh- complement clause:

The Liberal party could no more than the Radicals answer the fundamental question (of) whether there remained a distinctive philosophy of liberalism

References