embedding review of the structure of the clause and lower- ranking units filling constituents of...

EMBEDDING

Review of the structure of the clause and lower-ranking

units filling constituents of the clause

Review of types of clauses

Minor versus Major Elliptical versus non-elliptical Ranking versus Down-ranked or embedded Ranking independent versus ranking dependent

Embedded clauses (Functions)

SO FAR WE HAVE …

… studied, by reference to the rankscale as a hierarchy

of lexico-grammatical resources,

the different groups and phrases, their constituents

and the functions these constituents perform;

the structure of the clause: the constituents within

it, the function they perform and the lower-rank

units that realize them.

EVERYTHING WE HAVE STUDIED …

… we then integrated in the analysis of single

clauses, with two levels of analysis: one for the

constituents of the clause and the other for the

groups and phrases that realize them, as is shown

in the following screens:

INTEGRATING EVERYTHING WE HAVE STUDIED SO FAR

IN THE ANALYSIS OF THE FOLLOWING CLAUSE

Segment the following clause into its constituents, label them and then indicate which groups and phrases realize the different constituents. Check your segmentation with the following screen:

“However, since 1945 the population of Australia has obviously become more cosmopolitan”

Analysing the structure of a clause – Segmenting the clause into its constituents.

Now label them

However since 1945

the population of Australia

has

obviously become more cosmopolitan

Analysing the structure of the clause – Labelling constituents of the clause

However since 1945

the population of Australia

has

Adjcon Adjcir S F


Adjmod P C

Analysing the structure of the clause – Identify groups and phrases that realize the

constituents

However since 1945 the population of Australia

has

Adjcon Adjcir S F


Adjmod P C

Structure of the clause – Identifying groups and phrases that realize elements of the

clause

However since 1945 the population of Australia

has

Adjcon Adjcir S F

AdvGp PP NGp o in extended VG


Adjmod P C

AdvGp V in extended VG AdjGp

Structure of the clause – Identifying constituents of groups and phrases

However since 1945 the population of Australia has

Adjcon Adjcir S F

AdvGp PP NGp VGp

h p cv D Th Q o


Adjmod P C

AdvGp VGp AdjGp

h v Pre-mod h

Then we looked at …

… clauses and their different types.

We will brefly review the different

types of clauses and then focus on

one type (embedded clauses)

Types of clauses reviewed

Minor versus Major clauses

Major clauses: Ranking clauses versus downranked or rankshifted clauses (= embedded)

Ranking clauses: independent versus dependent clauses

Independent clauses: Elliptical and non-elliptical


Minor clauses are those that have no Predicator

Calls: Peter! Mr Smith! Mum!

Alarms: Fire! Danger! Help! No smoking. Careful!

Greetings: Hi! Goodday! Good morning!

Exclamations: My Goodness! Good God! Great! Congratulations! Not at all! Wow! Thank you!

Continuity: (they arrived last night) – Uhuh.

Major clauses have Predicators See next screen


Minor clauses are those that have no Predicator

Major clauses have Predicators (they can be declarative, interrogative and imperative in mood)

Come here! Did you answer the phone?

I’m afraid // I disagree there. (2 Predicators; 2 clauses)

He was reluctant to help // because he had been offered no pay. (2 Predicators; 2 clauses)

That he left is not yet certain. (2 Predicators; 2 clauses, one embedded within the other)

Why Minor Clauses and not Groups?

Clauses like “Fire!” and “Careful!” are considered Clauses and not NGps or AdjGps because they do not make up clauses, i.e. they are not constituents within a clause, but, like clauses, they convey messages by themselves. Consider the following examples of Minor Clauses and Ngps/AdjGps within a cluse:

“Fire!” (Minor Clause)“The firemen managed to put out the fire” (NGp)“Careful”! (Minor Clause)“Be careful with your books” (AdjGps)

Why Minor Clauses and not Elliptical Clauses?

Clauses like “Fire!” and “Careful!” are considered Minor Clauses and not elliptical Clauses because clauses are said to be elliptical only when the constituents omitted in them can be retrieved from previous clauses, and this is not the case with Minor Clauses. No constituents have been omitted in them that can be retrieved from previous clauses,. See examples below:

Danger! (Minor clause)What did you say this would cause them?(He said this would cause him) danger.

Major clauses: different typesIndependent

Major clauses can be of three different types:

Independent clauses They can stand alone, i.e. they

do not need any other clause to convey a whole

message, and they have mood of their own and can

shift in mood: “Sonny sang a moving song”. “Did

Sonny sing a moving song?!” “Sing us a moving song,

Sonny!”

Dependent clauses

Embedded clauses

Major clauses: different typesDependent


Independent clauses

Dependent clauses They cannot stand alone

because they need another clause to convey a

message that is perceived as complete. They are

called “dependent”, because they depend on

another clause for the expression of mood and

sometimes tense. They can be Finite or Non-finite

Embedded clauses

Major clauses: different typesEmbedded


Independent clauses

Dependent clauses

Embedded clauses They are not ranking clauses,

i.e. clauses working as clauses (conveying a message,

as independent clauses do, or expanding it, as

dependent clauses do), but they are down-ranked

clauses, that is, clauses brought down from their rank

and functioning as constituents within another clause

Major clauses: different types exemplified

Independent clauses can be of three types:Sonny sang a moving song (single clause).Sonny sang a moving song and (he was) generally acclaimed (any clause in a paratactic/coordinating clause complex, even if elliptical).Sonny sang a moving song, whe he was invited to step onto the stage. (main/dominant clause in a hypotactic clause complex)

Dependent clause:Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his song/after singing his song (dependent clauses in hypotactic clause complex, Finite and Non-Finite, introduced by subordinating conjunctions).

Embedded clauses, both Finite and Non-Finite:The boy [[who sang a moving song]] was generally acclaimed. [[Singing a moving song]] is a good way of bringing a camp-fire evening to an end.

Independent versus dependent (conveying a whole message vs.

expanding a message)

Independent clauses convey a complete message. This is why they can stand alone:Did Sonny sing a moving song? (single clause).Did Sonny sing a moving song and was he generally acclaimed? (clause in a paratactic clause complex).Sing a song and you will be generally acclaimed (clause in a paratactic clause complex).

Dependent clauses do not convey a message which is complete. This is why they cannot stand alone. But they expand a message :… when he sang his song. (Message incomplete)Was Sonny generally acclaimed when he sang a song? (Deendent clause expands message by expressing time)

Independent versus dependent (possibility to change mood)

Independent clauses can shift in Mood:Did Sonny sing a moving song? (single clause).Did Sonny sing a moving song and was he generally acclaimed? (clause in a paratactic clause complex).Sing a song and you will be generally acclaimed (clause in a paratactic clause complex).

Dependent clause cannot shift in mood and depend for the expression of mood on the main clause :Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his song.Was Sonny generally acclaimed when he sang a song? (Default mood structure always declarative. Mood determined by main/dominant clause)

Independent versus dependent (expression of time/tense, person and

number)

Independent clauses generally have a Finite that expresses person and number (though not always in English) and tense:Did Sonny sing a moving song? (single clause).Did Sonny sing a moving song and was he generally acclaimed? (clause in a paratactic clause complex).Sing a song and you will be generally acclaimed (clause in a paratactic clause complex). (Imperatives do not have Finites as they do not express tense)

Non-Finite dependent clauses do not have a Finite and depend for the expression of time, person and number on the dominant clause:(Dependent Non-Finite clause) Having sung a beautiful song, Sonny was generally acclaimed

Dependent versus Embedded clauses(possibility to suppress them)

Because Dependent clauses are NOT CONSTITUENTS within another clause, they can be suppressed:Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his song. Sonny was generally acclaimed.

Because Embedded clauses are CONSTITUENTS within another clause, like NGps or PPs, they cannot be suppressed as the claus would be incomplete:[[Whoever sang]] was generally aclaimed.…. was generally acclaimed (suppression not possible)

Dependent versus Embedded Clauses (possibility to shift clause around)

Dependent clauses can be moved around:Sonny was generally acclaimed when he sang his song. (dependent clause in hypotactic clause complex).

When he sang his song, Sonny was generally acclaimed (dependent clause in hypotactic clause complex).

Embedded clauses cannot be moved around:[[Whoever sang]] was generally acclaimed. NOT POSSIBLE

Relative clausesDependent or embedded?

Non defining relative clauses like the following ones are dependent. Why?

Mrs. Johnson, who always takes good care of the garden, is now in hospital and cannot look after it.

Mrs. Johnson is now very ill in hospital, which is very sad.

Defining relative clauses are embedded. Why?The lady [[who lives next door]] is a widow.The dog [[ they gave me as a present]] is a golden retriever.

Relative clausesDependent or embedded?

Non defining relative clauses like the following ones are dependent because they expand the message but are not part of the dominant clause. They can be suppressedMrs. Johnson, …, is now in hospital and cannot look after it.Mrs. Johnson is now very ill in hospital, … Defining relative clauses are embedded because they are a constituent within a constituent of another clause (Qualifier within a NGp) and so cannot be suppressed in contextThe lady [[who lives next door]] is a widow.The dog [[(which) they gave me as a present]] is a golden retriever. See next screen for clarification

Defining relative clauses as embedded clauses – Why cannot they be

suppressed

My neigbours are all married. Peter is married to Susan. John is married to Mary. The lady [[who lives next door]] was married once but is a widow. (In this case “who lives next door cannot be suppressed as the message would be incomplete. We would not know what lady we are talking about)

As hereMy neigbours are all married. Peter is married to Susan. John is married to Mary. The lady was married once but is a widow. (Now we cannot tell which lady we are talking about and the embedded clauses is necessary as we have not mentioned her before)

Summary of distinctive features

Ranking independentCan stand alone; choose their own mood

Ranking dependent Can’t stand alone; pick the mood from an independent clause they are linked to. Non-Finite ones depend for person, number and tense, on main clause.They can be suppressed and moved around

Non-ranking (Embedded)Can’t stand alone; pick the mood from an independent clause they are part of. They cannot be suppressed and cannot be moved around

Structure of major clauses

The structure of major clauses

(whether independent, dependent

or embedded) can be analysed in

the same terms, using the

categories S, F, P, C, Adj

Structure of major clauses. Examples – independent clause

Sonny sang a moving song

Did Sonny sing a moving song

Sonny, sing a moving song

Structure of major clauses. Examples – independent clause

Sonny sang a moving song

S F/P C

Did Sonny sing a moving song

F S P C

Sonny, sing a moving song

Amod P C

Structure of major clauses. Examples –dependent clause

When he sang a moving song

Structure of major clauses. Examples –dependent clause

When he sang a moving song

S F/P C

Structure of major clauses. Examples – embedded

who sang a moving song


who sang a moving song

S F/P C

Structure of major clauses. Further examples – embedded (Finite and Non-Finite)

The announcement [[that M. J. will sing the

national anthem during the celebration]] was

made yesterday.

The name of the person [[to sing the national

anthem during the celebration]] will be announced

tomorrow.

The boy [[singing the national anthem during the

celebration]] had a deep voice.

Structure of major clauses. Further examples – embedded

that M. J. will sing the national anthem

during the celebration

to sing/singing

the national anthem



that M. J. will sing the national anthem


S F P C (= DO) Adjcir

to sing/singing

the national anthem


P C (= DO) Adjcir

FOCUSING ON

EMBEDDED/DOWNRANKED OR

RANKSHIFTED CLAUSES

Downranked/rankshifted (= embedded) clauses: definition

A clause that has been shifted in rank, that

has been brought lower in rank, to function

within another clause as an element of that

clause or within a group as an element

within it. It is conventionally marked by

means of [[ ]]. Embedded clauses extend

the resources of the language.

Downranked (= embedded) clauses. Examples

Identify clauses functioning within another clause in the examples below (downranked/rankshifted (= embedded) )What we need is change. What I don’t enjoy is the weather.Travelling by bike is good for the environment.To err is human; to forgive is divine.To know him is to love himI ate what I could find.I gave whoever was there a present.I cannot stand people who come to your place uninvited. He was not sure about how he should treat him/how to treat him.

Downranked (= embedded) clauses identified, with indication of function

[[What we need]] is change. (S)[[What I don’t enjoy]] is [[standing in queues]]. (S/SC)[[Travelling by bike]] is good for the environment. (S)[[To err]] is human; [[to forgive]] is divine. (S)[[To know]] him is [[to love him]] (S/SC)I ate [[what I could find]]. (C = DO)I gave [[whoever was there]] a present. (C= IO)I cannot stand people [[who come to your place uninvited]]. (Q of NG)He was not sure about [[how he should treat him/how to treat him]]. (cv of prep)

Embedded clauses – functions within the clause or groups

Embedded clauses can function as:

Qualifiers within a Ngp/AdjGp/AdvGp

Complement (= DO)

Complement (= SC)

Complement ( =IO)

Complement (= OC)

Completive (cv) of a Preposition

Embedded clauses – FunctionsQualifier within NGp

IDENTIFY THEM BEFORE MOVING TO NEXT SCREEN:

The fact that inflation is going down is a sign that our economy is improving.The girl whom I lent my book to has disappeared.There is no evidence that he committed the crime.He’s not a man to lend money to.The man sitting next to you is looking at us.Your criticism that your answer has not been taken seriously is not justified.This is exactly the place where Mr. Smith was murdered.That was the day when I fell in love with him.

Embedded clauses – functionsQualifier within NGp

The fact [[that inflation is going down]] is a sign that our economy is improving.The girl [[whom I lent my book to]] has disappeared.There is no evidence [[that he committed the crime]].He’s not a man [[to lend money to]].The man [[sitting next to you]] is looking at us.Your criticism [[that your answer has not been taken seriously]] is not justified.This is exactly the place [[where Mr. Smith was murdered]]. With nouns referring to placesThat was the day [[when I fell in love with him]]. With nouns referring to time

Embedded clauses – functionsQualifier within AdjGp and AdvGp

QUALIFIER WITHIN ADJGP. IDENTIFY:Many people are doubtful how to vote.The minister was quick to reject the accusation.My friends were all willing/reluctant to help.

QUALIFIER WITHIN ADVGP. IDENTIFY:Please sit down anywhere you like.Our coach left earlier than he should have done.People here don’t work as hard as they do in some other countries.He explained it so clearly that everybody understood.

Embedded clauses – functionsQualifier within AdjGp and AdvGp

QUALIFIER WITHIN ADJECTIVE GROUP:Many people are doubtful [[how to vote]].The minister was quick [[to reject the accusation]].My friends were all willing/reluctant [[to help]].

QUALIFIER WITHIN ADVERBIAL GROUP:Please sit down anywhere [[you like]].Our coach left earlier [[than he should have done]].People here don’t work as hard [[as they do in some other countries]].He explained it so clearly [[that everybody understood]].

Embedded clauses – functionsSubject and Complement (DO)

SUBJECT. IDENTIFY:What I don’t enjoy is standing in queues.What most people prefer is others doing the work.It doesn’t matter where you sit.To take such a risk was rather foolish.

COMPLEMENT: DIRECT OBJECT. IDENTIFYI brought what I could buyI ate what was there.

Did he find what he was looking for?I enjoy/hate/love travelling by bus.

Embedded clauses – functions bject and Complement (DO)

SUBJECT:[[What I don’t enjoy]] is standing in queues.[[What most people prefer]] is others doing the work.It doesn’t matter [[where you sit]].[[To take such a risk]] was rather foolish.

COMPLEMENT: DIRECT OBJECTI brought [[what I could buy]].I ate [[what was there]]. Did he find [[ what he was looking for]]?I enjoy/hate/love [[travelling by bus]].

Embedded clauses – functionsComplement (Indirect Object and Completive

of Preposition)

COMPLEMENT: INDIRECT OBJECT. IDENTIFY:Save whoever comes the trouble of waiting.Give whatever you think best priority.

COMPLEMENT: COMPLETIVE. IDENTIFY:I strongly object to what you’re insinuating.The party will have to draw on whatever resources it can.They are all arguing about how much to charge for admittance.They stand below where we would like them to be.

Embedded clauses – functions Indirect Object and Completive of

Preposition

COMPLEMENT: INDIRECT OBJECTSave [[whoever comes]] the trouble of waiting.Give [[whatever you think]] best priority.

COMPLEMENT: COMPLETIVE OF PREPOSITION:I strongly object to [[what you’re insinuating]].The party will have to draw on [[whatever resources it can]].They are all arguing about [[how much to charge for admittance]].They stand below [[where we would like them to be]].

Embedded clauses – functions Subject Complement and Object

Complement

COMPLEMENT: SUBJECT COMPLEMENT. IDENTIFY:My advice is to withdraw.

My main problem is standing in queues.

This is how you should do it.

COMPLEMENT: OBJECT COMPLEMENT. IDENTIFY:Our supporters’ enthusiasm has made the club what it is today.

Dye your shoes whatever colour you want.

Embedded clauses – functionsSubject Complement and Object

Complement

COMPLEMENT: SUBJECT COMPLEMENT:My advice is [[to withdraw]].My main problem is [[standing in queues]].This is [[how you should do it]].

COMPLEMENT: OBJECT COMPLEMENT:Our supporters’ enthusiasm has made the club [[what it is today]].

Dye your shoes [[whatever colour you want]]

Integration practice – Identifying embedded clauses

Opinion Essay 1

Unfortunately in today’s society there are many people who cannot read, write or even do arithmetic. I strongly believe that, although subjects such as Art and Music are obviously important, English and Math are the most fundamental part of our education. In the first place, the ability to read and write and to do simple calculations gives you the necessary tools to deal with everyday matters.


Opinion Essay 1Unfortunately in today’s society there are many people [[who cannot read, write or even do arithmetic]] Q in NG. I strongly believe [[that, although subjects such as Art and Music are obviously important, English and Math are the most fundamental part of our education]] C = DO. In the first place, the ability [[to read and write and to do simple calculations]] Q in NG gives you the necessary tools [[to deal with everyday matters]] Q in NG.


Opinion Essay 1For example, being able to read and write allows you to communicate and express yourself clearly. Moreover, you unquestionably need basic maths for such daily chores as doing the shopping, paying your bills and managing your money effectively.

Furthermore, it is essential to have a good knowledge of English and Maths in order to find even the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the minimum requirements that most employers demand and they must therefore be developed at school.


Opinion Essay 1For example, [[being able to read and write]] S allows you to communicate and express yourself clearly. Moreover, you unquestionably need basic maths for such daily chores as [[doing the shopping, paying your bills and managing your money effectively]].Cv of prep

Furthermore, it is essential [[to have a good knowledge of English and Maths]] S in order to find even the simplest job. Reading, writing and mathematical skills are the minimum requirements [[that most employers demand and they must therefore be developed at school]]. Q in NG


Opinion Essay 1On the other hand, it can be argued that Art and Music are just as significant as English and Maths these days. For instance, learning how to draw or play an instrument can introduce a child to a whole new world. In addition to this, subjects such as Art and Music can provide children with a well-rounded education rather than just basic skills.


Opinion Essay 1On the other hand, it can be argued [[that Art and Music are just as significant as English and Maths these days]] S. For instance, [[learning how to draw or play an instrument]] S can introduce a child to a whole new world. In addition to this, subjects such as Art and Music can provide children with a well-rounded education rather than just basic skills.


Opinion Essay 1All in all, though, it seems to me that English and Maths are vital subjects. Unless they learn to read, write and do arithmetic, people may have difficulties coping with even the simplest tasks in everyday life and getting ahead in their life and work.


Opinion Essay 1All in all, though, it seems to me [[that English and Maths are vital subjects]] S. Unless they learn to read, write and do arithmetic, people may have difficulties [[coping with even the simplest tasks in everyday life and getting ahead in their life and work]] Q in NG.


Opinion Essay 2Problem-Solution text

Heavy traffic, air pollution and litter are among the most serious problems that modern cities face nowadays. Ours is no exception. What can we do, then, to help make our city more pleasant to its residents?

First of all, it would probably be a good idea to encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars, especially when commuting to work. The result would be fewer cars on the roads and therefore fewer traffic jams.


Opinion Essay 2Problem-Solution text

Heavy traffic, air pollution and litter are among the most serious problems [[that modern cities face nowadays]] Q in NG. Ours is no exception. What can we do, then, to help make our city more pleasant to its residents?

First of all, it would probably be a good idea [[to encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars, especially when commuting to work]] S. The result would be fewer cars on the roads and therefore fewer traffic jams.


Opinion Essay 2Problem-Solution textSecondly, steps should be taken in order to solve the problem of air pollution. The situation could be improved if factories were moved out of the city and were located far from them. If this happened, the air would not be so polluted.

Finally, efforts should be made to make our city a cleaner and healthier place to live. A useful suggestion would be to put more litter bins in the streets and encourage people to use them. If this was done, people would most probably stop dropping their rubbish on the ground, and our city would be cleaner.


Opinion Essay 2Problem-Solution textSecondly, steps should be taken in order to solve the problem of air pollution. The situation could be improved if factories were moved out of the city and were located far from them. If this happened, the air would not be so polluted.

Finally, efforts should be made to make our city a cleaner and healthier place [[to live]] Q in NG. A useful suggestion would be to put more litter bins in the streets and encourage people to use them. If this was done, people would most probably stop dropping their rubbish on the ground, and our city would be cleaner.


Opinion Essay 2

Problem-Solution text

There are many ways to make our city a better place to live. Adopting some of these measures would definitely result in better living conditions and would ensure happiness and good health for everyone.


Opinion Essay 2

Problem-Solution text

There are many ways [[to make our city a better place to live]] Q in NG. [[Adopting some of these measures]] S would definitely result in better living conditions and would ensure happiness and good health for everyone.

Analysing the structure of clauses with embedded clauses

in them

In the first place, the ability [[to read and write and to do simple calculations]] Q in NG gives you the necessary tools [[to deal with everyday matters]] Q in NG

Analysing the structure of clauses with embedded clauses in themIn the first place, the ability [[to read

and write and to do simple calculations]]

gives

you the necessary tools [[to deal with everyday matters]]

Analysing the structure of clauses with embedded clauses in themIn the first place, the ability [[to read

and write and to do simple calculations]]

gives

Acon S F/P

you the necessary tools [[to deal with everyday matters]]

C (IO) C (DO)

Analysing the structure of clauses with embedded clauses in them

Appreciating art demands being exposed to it

S F/P C (DO)

Embedded clause

VGp Embedded clause

embedding review of the structure of the clause and lower- ranking units filling constituents of...

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