Grammar in EAP
Clauses and Simple Sentences
Clauses: Introduction
A clause is the main unit of grammatical structure. It usually consist of a subject and a predicate. It consists of one or more groups. A typical structure of a clause is SPCA – subject, predicator, complement, adjunct. Subject is typically realised by a nominal group. Predicator is typically realised by a verbal group. Complement is typically realised by a nominal group. Adjunct is typically realised by a adverbial group.
There are two main types of clause: independent clause and dependent clauses. An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone, wheres an dependent clause cannot. A dependent clause can be either finite or non-finite.
A finite clause includes a finite verb – a verb that is marked for either tense or modality.If the verb in the clause is not marked for either tense or modality, then the clause is non-finite.
For example:
The Liberals were split three ways by the 1931 election. (Independent)
because they were losing their sense of identity. (Dependent – finite)
having lost their sense of identity. (Dependent – non-finite)
Elements of the finite clause
A clause – or a simple sentence – consists of two elements.
Subject | Predicate |
The participants | were chosen. |
Jones | investigated the issue secretly in the early 1950s. |
Exercises
Exercise: Clauses 1
Exercise: Clauses 1a
All finite clauses require a subject and a predicate. The predicate consits of several other elements, some are essential and some are optional. The description of the structure of the clause uses four main elements: subject (S), predicator (P), complement (C) and adjunct (A).
For example:
S | P | C | A | A |
Jones | investigated | the issue | secretly | in the early 1950s. |
In this case, the subject, predicate & complement are essential, but the adjuncts are optional. What is essential and what is optional depends on the predicator.
Exercise
Exercise: Adjuncts
Elements of structure
Clauses consist of various combinations of elements, or elements of structure.
He | reported | the findings. | S | P | C |
Jones | reported | his findings | to the conference| last year | though. | S | P | C | C | A | A |
Each element is a constituent of the clause and is related to the other elements; they co-operate with each other, performing different functions in the clause.
Exercise
Exercise: Clauses 2
Complements
There are various kinds of complement: Direct Object (Od), Indirect Object (Oi), Prepostional Object (Op), Subject Complement (Cs), Object Complement (Co), Prepositional Complement (Cp).
She published the findings. | SPOd |
She sent me the report. | SPOiOd |
The results depended on the the method. | SPOp |
The results sounded plausible. | SPCs |
They found the results plausible. | SPOdCo |
She published the findings in the journal. | SPOdCp |
Objects and other Complements
We can distinguish between Direct Object (Od), Indirect Object (Oi) and Prepositional Object (Op).
Direct Object | (Od) | The researcher published the report, |
Indirect Object | (Oi) | The researcher sent the editor the report. |
Prepositional Object | (Op) | The researcher can rely on the editor. |
Complements which are not Objects are classified as follows:
Complement of the Subject | Cs | Jones is a researcher |
Complement of the Object | Co | She found the research useful. |
Exercise
Exercise: Complements
Basic structures of the clause
Clausal elements or functions enter into varied relationships with each other to express different types of proposition concerning different situations. These are exemplified as follows:
SP | The researcher / resigned. |
The research / failed. | |
The principal researcher’s main aim to understand falling overseas sales / has failed. | |
SPOd | Jones / investigated / sales. |
The researcher / studied / the reasons for the decrease in overseas sales. | |
SPOiOd | The researchers / have sent / the editor / the paper. |
The Ministry of Education / awarded / the researchers / a grant. | |
SPOp | You / can rely / on the results. |
The researchers / are looking / into the matter. | |
SPCs | My brother / has become / a professor. |
Your exam results / were / better than mine | |
SPOdCo | They / appointed / him / professor.. |
The committee / do not consider / Jones / much of a researcher. |
The SPCs structure is very common in academic texts, with two complex nominal groups joined with a linking verb such as “is“. However, in such cases the group structure is much more complicated.
For example:
Besides historiography and mathematical astronomy, another great innovation by the Greeks of the fifth century BCwas the art of tragedy. |
Exercise: SPCs Clause Structure
Examples of Clause Elements
Subject (S) | Tertullian enjoyed paradox. | SPCsA |
Predicator (P) | The grant ended this week. | SPA |
Direct Object (Od) | Jones has published a new book. | SPOd |
Indirect Object (Oi) | They sent their colleagues copies of the research. | SPOiOd |
Prepositional Object (Op) | You must allow for price increases. | SPOprep |
Subject Complement(Cs) | He is powerless to make any changes. | SPCs |
Object Complement(Co) | We consider the research important. | SPOdCo |
Adjunct (A) | The paper was published on Tuesday. | SPOdA |
Realisation of Clause Elements
These elements of clause stucture are realised by various word, groups or clauses. In English there is no one-to-one correspondence between class of unit (noun, verb, nominal group, finite clause, …) and syntactic function (subject, predicator, complement, adjunct). See: Grammar: Realisation of Clause Elements
Combining Clauses
Clauses can also combine to form complex or compound sentences.
Combining Clauses: Grammar: Clause Complexes