The clauses tag has no wiki summary.
10
votes
2answers
746 views
How do noun clauses work when they seem to leave no independent clause?
Another thing that was raised in conversation with my ESL friend is noun clauses.
I was aware of Adverbial and Adjectival Clauses and thought that the things he was demonstrating to me were in fact ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
What is a noun modifying clause?
This is actually a question that came up when I was studying Japanese. Unfortunately my grasp of the technical language of syntax is very limited, and I never fully comprehended the idea of a noun ...
8
votes
5answers
368 views
'How to' vs 'How do I'
This question is inspired by comments on a question on stackoverflow. The original poster wrote:
How to correct this error?
And comments say that it's an incorrect question. Better is
How ...
6
votes
6answers
308 views
Is there bad grammar in Cinemark's “No Texting” warning?
The sentence in question is "Do not be the person we ask to leave the auditorium, because we will." It sounds very wrong to me, but I can't put my finger on the exact problem. Nobody on the Internet ...
6
votes
2answers
344 views
Is the use of dependent clauses undesirable? (in scientific writing)
I tend to use dependent clauses frequently in scientific writing. This is especially true when discussing a problem-solving process where the result from one step leads into the next. Here's a ...
5
votes
4answers
598 views
Where to insert comma(s)?
Compare these:
She tried, and, as expected, failed.
She tried, and as expected, failed.
She tried and, as expected, failed.
She tried and as expected, failed.
She tried and (as ...
4
votes
2answers
175 views
What is the meaning of the subclause of 'goes off the deep end'?
If a real-time program goes off the deep end, the system can become unresponsive.
4
votes
2answers
130 views
“It is only me that is” or “It is only I that am”
It is only me that is confused.
or
It is only I that am confused.
The first one sounds more natural to me while the second one appears to me as grammatically correct. Which one is correct?
4
votes
4answers
971 views
Singular or plural verb form where subject includes a “parenthetical” element
My question arises from this one, where OP asks whether he should use the singular or plural verb form after "the title, as well as the tone,"
As luck would have it, when I searched Google Books for ...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
Is it grammatically correct to introduce a result clause by using “then”?
Is it grammatically correct to introduce a result clause by using then as in the examples:
Don’t be lazy – then you will fail.
Don’t kill him – then you will regret it.
If yes, then is then ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Non-finite clause complementation of complex transitive verbs
This question has been bothering me for a while. It came up when I was reading Chapter 16 of "A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language."
How to explain the grammatical structure of the ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Why is this that-clause a subordinate?
she was so tired that she couldn’t think. (Oxford)
Oxford says that-clause above is a subordinate clause expressing a result. Semantically ‘she was tired’ seems to be the main clause, but there ...
3
votes
2answers
133 views
Is a comma in this sentence required? [closed]
In the sentence below, is the comma optional or should it (not) be there? I can hear it there when this is spoken, but I am not convinced it needs to be there in written form.
In order to pass ...
3
votes
5answers
1k views
Is a subordinate clause part of the dependent clause's predicate?
Could you please help me determine what the complete predicate is in the following sentence?
I get the willies when I see closed doors. — Joseph Heller, Something Happened.
At first I thought ...
2
votes
3answers
300 views
Separating Clauses in Garden-path Sentences
While Nancy was dressing the baby played in the garden.
I'm not sure where the first clause ends! After baby or after dressing?
Please, suggest some way I can improve that sentence.
2
votes
4answers
239 views
Ambiguity of “We discourage X from doing Y by using Z” [closed]
Given the sentence,
We discourage people from committing crimes by using law enforcement, religion and education.
I see two possible interpretations:
[We discourage people by using law ...
2
votes
2answers
708 views
Must conditional sentences begin with “if?”
I've been looking at conditional sentences (conditional clauses).
Every example I've see is along the lines of, "if [x] then [y]."
I've seen alternatives/substitutes for the if part:
were I ...
2
votes
2answers
129 views
What kind of phrase/clause is “as far as I know”? [closed]
I would like to know what kind of phrase/clause "as far as I know" is, and why.
2
votes
1answer
300 views
Is a single-word sentence like “No” an independent clause? And semicolons [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Comma or semicolon after “No” when responding to a question
It started because of this:
"No; I found the behavior off-putting."
I believe "no", as an ...
2
votes
3answers
230 views
Multiple 'as' (subordinate conjunction) in the same sentence [closed]
Performance is poor as losses have increased and are projected to remain negative going forward as the company works through problem assets and realizes related expense.
Is this sentence correct? ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Use semicolon or period when telling a result of an action?
If you look at these sentences, the second one is result of the first:
Alex shouts and feels pain in his leg, and he rubs the place with hand and looks at the leg. His leg swelled little bit.
So ...
2
votes
1answer
156 views
“Seeing the rain come on, we took shelter” — complex or simple sentence?
Seeing the rain come on, we took shelter.
This sentence looks like a complex sentence with a main and an independent clause. But the book says it is a simple sentence. Which is correct?
2
votes
3answers
277 views
Noun or non-finite subordinate clause?
Consider the following sentence:
The government wants to encourage understanding of science.
Now, "to encourage understanding of science" is a non-finite subordinate clause functioning as an ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Comma after To at the beginning of a sentence
I am just writing my master thesis and I am unsure whether to place a comma in sentences starting with "To".
Here are some examples:
To be able to improve the performance[,] it is important to ...
2
votes
3answers
312 views
Clauses, and comma before “nor”
Does this sentence have two independent clauses?
I do not like biology nor do I like chemistry.
To me the last clause seems dependent, but I find sources that tell me to place a comma before ...
2
votes
5answers
219 views
Parsing possibility
What is the correct way to parse the following sentence:
It is possible that one can be happy only if one can be free.
Does the sentence say:
It is possible that [one can be happy only if one can ...
2
votes
1answer
326 views
Mixed tense sentence + When clause
Is it legal to write something like this:
When I'm trying to post a form system alerts me with a warning message.
I've seen people use this kind of writing.
EDIT
I don't know why (perhaps ...
2
votes
2answers
139 views
attributive clauses puzzle me a lot sometimes
Are the following two sentences interchangeable?
"I keep her photo on my desk, which means I do not forget her.
versus
"I keep her photo on my desk, meaning I do not forget her.
If ...
2
votes
3answers
148 views
Can a “because clause” be a subject clause? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Sentence Construction: “Just Because … Does Not Mean”
Consider the following sentence:
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they're not after you.
The ...
1
vote
5answers
199 views
What meaning “Chip on their shoulder” takes here?
The context is below.
Bansal is the famous coaching center to clear Engineering Entrance test. Bansal students had a chip on their shoulder, even though they weren't technically even in a college
...
1
vote
4answers
170 views
Is this an independent clause?
From Nate Silver's "The signal and the noise:"
The amount of information was increasing much more rapidly than our understanding of what to do with it, or our ability to differentiate the useful ...
1
vote
3answers
138 views
Comma after a long introductory phrase
Please help me with commas in the following sentence:
As an example of the successful use of such a model [,] one can mention SymPy computer algebra system [,] which uses Python as a main user ...
1
vote
2answers
199 views
Can all transitive verbs take to-infinitive clauses?
Yet it would be your duty to bear it, if you could not avoid it: it
is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be
required to bear. — Jane Eyre
It seems ‘your fate to be ...
1
vote
2answers
272 views
Position of verb for object clause
Is the general word order of this sentence correct?
We investigate how strong the effect of X on Y is.
Or, as an alternative,
We investigate how strong the effect of X is on Y.
In a ...
1
vote
2answers
199 views
Comma in “more than $6 billion to settle a long-running lawsuit, in a pact that also permits”
Visa Inc., MasterCard Inc. and some large banks agreed to pay scores of retailers—from giant Publix Supermarkets Inc. to an interior-design store in Minnesota—more than $6 billion to settle a ...
1
vote
2answers
751 views
How to punctuate an example indicated by “say”
I'm wondering how commas should be placed around the word "say" and the following clause in a sentence like this:
If you have, say, a bucket, that you would like to fill with water, then ...
...
1
vote
1answer
169 views
Which are the main and subordinate clauses in this sentence?
Which are the main and subordinate clauses in the following sentence?
Individual components do not directly depend on other components,
which means that they can be more easily developed in ...
1
vote
2answers
568 views
How to determine what an attributive clause modifies
I was wondering how to determine what an attributive clause modifies?
For example:
It has been associated with
neoclassical economics and with the
neoclassical synthesis, which combines
...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Position of prepositions in questions and clauses
I would like to know if there is any rule to know where prepositions should be placed in questions or clauses.
For example, I have heard many sentences and some of them put the preposition in the ...
1
vote
2answers
93 views
“Come + X” construct
I've come across the "come + X" construct in a passage of a New York Times article. Here it is (emphasis added):
Politicians like to keep the fiscal levers in their hands come
election time
...
1
vote
1answer
141 views
Use of “what” vs “that”
The following sentence was on one of the tests:
What would you like to do that others have told you is impossible.
Students have asked why that could not be replaced with what. I.e.,
What ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Understanding a passage in relation with 'Clauses' and 'Phrases' [migrated]
Below is the screenshot of a passage from 'Oxford Guide to English Grammar by John Eastwood'.
The passage says A clause has a subject and a verb. Subject and Verb are the elements of a sentence or ...
0
votes
3answers
124 views
Does inserting a comma change what is modified?
My question pertains to the usage of comma after a list of clauses of the form
"X, Y, and Z (,) to/in order to <do something>"
Example:
Apply Equation 1, use Lemma 2, and exploit Theorem ...
0
votes
3answers
301 views
What type of clause is this?
Can anyone say what type of clause this is — noun, adjective or adverbial?
I am glad that you have passed the test.
Some people say that it is a noun clause. But I am not sure.
What is the ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Must a coordinating clause always have a subject?
E.g.,
(1) You are getting yourselves into a very dangerous situation; get out of there at once.
The imperative following the first clause has an implied subject, so would this mean it is a ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
“Absent additional configuration” [closed]
I have come across the below sentence but it doesn't quite sound right.
Absent additional configuration, permits will be distributed at a fixed rate.
Is the first part of the sentence correct?
...
0
votes
1answer
77 views
the function of small clause
She went back to her homeland, her mind free of hate. (English Syntax
and Argumentation, Bas Aarts)
Aarts says the highlighted part is a small clause that has the role of adjunct. By the ...
0
votes
1answer
181 views
Can a subordinate clause split subject and verb in the main clause?
E.g. are these correct?
Following the rules, even if it's difficult, is essential.
Following the rules, although it's difficult, is essential.
0
votes
2answers
104 views
How to combine “a book about X” with “people are interested in how X works”? [closed]
I would like to know how to correctly combine the sentence 1. with the sentence 2.
People are interested in how these algorithms work.
I am writing a book about algorithms... [here I need to ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Comparing two juxtaposed elements by way of clause inversion?
What is this sort of sentence/style/literary device called? I'm sure it has a name.
There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness
without love.
It appears that a point is ...
