A Course Presentation by: Adebimpe Kofoworola

GRAMMATICAL THEORIES AND ENGLISH SENTENCE II: NOMINAL CLAUSE

INTRODUCTION

Clause according to J.D. Murthy (2012:227) is a group of words which forms a part of a
sentence and contains a subject and a predicate. Murthy also expatiate further that a clause
can be subdivided into main clause and subordinate clause. Main clause can function alone as
a sentence giving meaningful information, while subordinate clause is a dependent clause that
relies on preceding or succeeding independent clause to give a complete meaning. .
Examples include

1. Independent clause: The lady strolled through the corridor.

2. Dependent clause: Because she was tired.

Quirk et al (1972: 731) identified the structural and functional types of dependent clause. The
structural types of dependent clause include: nominal clauses, adjectival clauses, adverbial
clauses, comparative clauses, complementary clauses finite and non finite clauses and
verbless clauses. These clauses also perform different functions in relation to the
superordinate clause. Amongst the types mentioned, the nominal clause forms the thrust of
our discussion with references to the following scholars ( Aremo 2004, Quirk et al1972,
Bloor and Bloor 2004, Haliday 2014, Downing & Locke 2006).

NOMINAL CLAUSE

Nominal clause has defined by J.D. Murthy (2012: 227), refers to a group of words which
contains a subject and predicate of its own and does the work of a noun. In other words,
nominal clause is a group of words that has a finite verb and performs any of the functions of
a noun in a sentence. This group of words can be the subject of a verb or the object, and even
function in the complement position.

Bloor (2004: 7) identifies nominal group focusing on Modifier (M) and Head (H) as nominal
group structure. For example:

3. The black old giant. MMMH

4. Some people. MH
Head is the most obligatory element in an NG structure comprising of nouns, pronouns,
nominalisations, while modifier is an optional element in an NG structure comprising of
nouns, determiners numeral and adjectives.

Aremo (2004:10) took a step further, though recognised that nominal clause is an offshoot of
nominal group by claiming that the subject in actual simple sentences is realised by nouns,
noun phrases or pronouns. While describing the structural classification of sentences, he
explain nominal clause as dependent clause functioning in a complex sentence therefore not
discussing it independently. To him, nominal clause is considered as a subordinate clause
with varying forms embedded in complex sentences (…432). The forms of complex
sentences in this category are of two main kinds: (a) those with a that nominal subordinate
clause and (b) those with a wh- nominal clause.

THAT NOMINAL SUBORDINATE CLAUSE IN COMPLEX SENTENCE (…432)

In this kind of clause- part complex sentence, the subordinate clause normally begins with a
that, and it may b used in the main clause as subject, direct object or subject complement.
Examples;

5. That she fails her exam is her concern. SPC

6. She has informed me that she would not attend the party. SPOO
7. He says that they are lazy. SPO

WH NOMINAL SUBORDINATE CLAUSE IN COMPLEX SENTENCE (…436)

The nominal subordinate clause in this subtype is normally introduced by a wh word. It is

important to realise that wh subordinate clause may be one formed from a question- a wh or
yes/no question- or one formed from a statement. Examples;

8. What could be her reaction to the conflicting ideas is not known. (wh- subordinate
clause from a question) SPC
9. I can’t say whether they are coming for the party. (yes/no subordinate clause from a
question) SPO
10. We have prepared what they requested. (statement nominal subordinate clause )SPO

NON-FINITE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE IN COMPLEX SENTENCE (…442)

Complex sentences with a non-finite nominal subordinate clause can often be formed from
their counterpart with a finite subordinate clause. Examples:

11. For her to be lucky is usual. ( to-form non- finite subordinate clause) SPC
12. Bolu playing truancy is well known. (ing-form non-finite subordinate clause) SPC
13. What he did was exchanged the gift with his friend. (base form non-finite nominal
subordinate clause) SPOO
14. He declared the convocation opened. (en form non-finite nominal subordinate clause)
SPC.
On the part of Downing and Locke (1992:37), they quipped that Clauses can realize every
element or function of clause structure except the predicator. To them, embedded clauses are
postulated as dependent clauses. They further identified that finite and non-finite clauses are
available for embedding but not every clause function is realized by all types of clause ( for
instance, adverbial clauses and relative clauses cannot be realized as subject). Nevertheless,
nominal clauses are still construed as embedded clauses by them.

According to them, Nominal clauses fulfill the functions of Subject, Object and Complement
in clause structure. In a sentence such as;
15. He discovered that the students were absent. The clause [that the students were
absent] is embedded as a constituent (in this case as Object) of the independent
clause he discovered.
The main types of nominal clause discussed by Downing and Locke are
 the that-clause
16. we noticed that the gate was locked.
 the wh-nominal relative clause
17. What baffles me is a recent negative attitude.
 the dependent wh-interrogative clause
18. Why she came for the interview was only know to her.
 The dependent exclamative; a further type of wh-clause:
19. He laments how the horrible accident scene was.

Halliday (2014:364) did not give preference to the types of dependent clause, but discussed
the relationship that holds between clauses in terms of its metafunctions. He further
expatiates on the nominal group constituent and its structure i.e. deictic, numerals, epithets,
classifiers and things. These occur in a certain sequence; and the sequence is largely fixed,
although some variation is possible. Example
20. The ten old white local horses.
In the sentence above, the deictic- the, numerals-ten, epithet-old and white, classifier-local,
things-horses as explained by Halliday

According to Quirk et al (1985: 732), Nominal clauses fall into six major categories:

 That- clauses or Subordinate declarative clause

 Subordinate Interrogative clauses
 Subordinate exclamative clauses
 Nominal Relative Clauses
 To- infinitive Clauses
 –ing clause

Nominal that- clauses or subordinate declarative clause may function as:

21. Subject- That she is alive after delivery deserves praises.

22. Direct Object- I noticed that she spoke English with an Australian accent.

23. Subject Complement- My assumption is that interests rates will soon fall.

24. Appositive- Your criticism, that no account has been taken of psychological factors,
is fully justified.

25. Adjectival complementation- We are glad that you are able to join us on our wedding
anniversary.

Nominal that-clauses may not however function as object complement or as prepositional

complement.

WH- Interrogative Clauses

Subordinate ‘wh’- interrogative clauses occur in the whole range of functions available to the
nominal that- clause and in addition may function as prepositional complement.

Subject- How the books will sell depends on the reviewer

26. Direct Object- I can’t imagine what they want with your address.

27. Subject Complement – The problem is who will water my plants when I am away.

28. Appositive- Your Original question, why he did not report it to the police earlier, has not
yet been answered.

29. Adverbial Complement- I am not sure who she prefers

30. Prepositional Complement- They did not consult us on whose names should be put
forward.

Exclamative clauses

Subordinate exclamative clauses generally function as extraposed subject, direct object or

prepositional complement.

31. Etrapose subject- It’s incredible how fast she can run (it is incredible that she can run so
fast)

32. Direct Object- I remember what a good time I had at your party.( I remember that I had I
had such a good time at your party.

33. Prepositional Complement- I read an account of what an impression you had made. ( I
read an account that you had made an excellent (or a terrible) impression.)

Subordinate exclamative clauses generally have the same form as subordinate interrogative
clauses introduced by what or how.

Nominal Relative Clauses

Nominal Relative Clauses resemble wh- interrogative clauses in that they are also introduced
by a wh-element. Nominal Relative Clauses are more like Noun phrase, since they can be
concrete as well as abstract and can refer even to persons. Examples;

34. Subject- What I want is a cup of hot tea.

35. Direct Object- you should see whoever deals with complaints.

36. Indirect Object- He gave whoever asked for it a copy of his latest paper.

37. Subject Complement- April is when lilac blooms.

38. Object Complement- You can call me what (ever) you like.

39. Appositive- I’ll pay you the whole debt, what I originally borrowed and what I owe you
in interest.

40. Prepositional Complement- You should vote for which (ever) candidate you think best.

To-Infinitive Clauses

Nominal to-infinitive clauses may function as:

41. Subject- To be neutral in this discussion is out of the question.

42. Direct Object- He likes to relax.

43. Subject complement- The best excuse is to say that you have an examination tomorrow
morning.

44. Appositive - Your ambition, to become a farmer, requires the energy and perseverance
that you so obviously have.

45. Adjectival Complementation- I’m very eager to meet her.

The nominal to- infinitive clause often indicates that the proposition it expresses is viewed as
a possibility of a proposal rather than something already fulfilled.

Nominal –Ing Clauses

Nominal –ing clauses are sometimes called gerundive or gerundival clauses. Their verb is
commonly called a ‘gerund’.

Nominal –ing clauses may function as:

46. Subject- Watching Television keeps them out of mischief.

47. Direct Object- He enjoys playing practical jokes.

48. Subject Complement- Her first job had been selling computers.

49. Appositive- His current research, investigating attitudes to racial stereotypes takes up
most of the time

50. Adjectival complementation- They are busy preparing a barbecue.

51. Prepositional complement- I’m responsible for drawing up the budget.

Nominal –ing clause may refer to a fact or an action:

52. Fact- Your driving a car to New York in your condition disturbs me greatly.

53. Action- Your driving a car to New York took longer than I expected.

CONCLUSION

Following the varying views of the aforementioned scholars on the concept of nominal
clause, it is evident that at certain levels of the description, they have reached a consensus
and also displayed disparaging views at some points of explanation. Bloor (2004) &
Halliday (2014) in their textbooks gave preference to the description of nominal group
rather than the exploration of nominal clauses and their types, but the former identified
modifier and head as the structure of nominal group, while the latter expounded on the
constituents of nominal group which comprise of the deictic, numerals, epithet, classifier
and things. On the other end of the continuum, Downing and Locke (2006), Aremo
(2004) & Quirk et al(1972) reached a notable consensus in the detailed expatiation of
nominal clause. However, Aremo(2004) discusses nominal clause as a dependent clause
functioning within the complex sentence rather than examining it as an independent sub-
topic as Downing and Locke(2006) & Quirk et al (1972) rightly did. The recent
mentioned scholars identified the types of dependent clauses and justified their
explanation by giving ample examples. Nonetheless, Quirk et al (1972) gave the most
comprehensive explanation on nominal clause and its types by also elucidating further on
the functions of each types with copious examples. It is indisputable that consulting
various textbooks on this topic has widened our knowledge on the depth of nominal
clause.

REFERENCES

Aremo, B (2004). An Introduction to English Sentence I &II. Ibadan: Scribo Publications.

Bloor, T & Bloor, M (2004). The Functional Analysis of English: An Hallidayan
Approach. Newyork: Oxford University Press.
Downing, A. & Locke, P (2006). English Grammar: A University Clause. London:
Routledge.
Halliday, M.A.K (2014). An Introduction to Functional Grammar. Revised by
M.I.M.Matthiessen: London: Hodder Education.
Murthy, J.D. (2012). Contemporary English Grammar:Reference and Practice Through
Real English. Nigeria: Book Master.
Quirk et al (1972). A Grammar of Contemporary English. London: Longman.