Glossary 297Collective noun. A noun denoting a collection of individuals. In BrE especially, can
function as head of a singular NP taking plural verb agreement: %The committee
have not yet decided.
Common noun. The default subclass of noun, lacking the distinctive properties of
pronouns and proper nouns: cat, boy, woman, window, etc.
Comparative (grade, form). The term in the system of grade indicating "more than";
it is marked either inflectionally (as in hotter) or by the adverb more (more useful).
Comparative clause. A kind of subordinate clause (usually finite) functioning as
complement to than, as or like and expressing one of the two terms in a compar
ison: It is colder [than it was yesterday]; I went to the same school [as she di4J.
Complement. A kind of dependent that must be licensed by the head. In It shakes
the building, the building is a complement because it's allowed only with a cer
tain kind of head verb: shake licenses dependents of th is kind, but quake doesn't
(*It quakes the building).
Complex catenative construction. A clause containing a catenative complement
whose verb is separated from the verb of the matrix clause by an NP understood
as subject of the non-finite clause: I asked her to help me; I knew them to be
friends.
Complex-intransitive. A clause containing a predicative complement but no object
(I'm sorry; It looks promising), or a verb used in such a clause (be, look -in the
sense illustrated).
Complex-transitive. A clause containing a predicative complement and an object (I
find that incredible), or verb used in such a clause (find -in the sense illustrated).
Composite symbol. A sequence of two or more letters representing a single sound:
in heat the vowel (sound) is represented by the composite symbol ea.
Conditional (construction). Prototypically, one containing an adjunct introduced
by if I'll do it if you pay me.
Consonant, consonant symbol. A consonant is a sound produced by means of
some audible constriction of the airflow; a consonant symbol is a letter or
sequence of letters representing a consonant. In quick there are three consonant
symbols: q, u, and ck.
Content clause. The default kind of finite subordinate clause, lacking the special
properties of relative and comparative clauses: I think you 're right; I wonder
whether it is.
Continuative perfect. A use of the perfect indicating a situation lasting over a
period starting before a certain time and continuing up to it: She had been in bed
fo r two hours when we arrived means she was in bed two hours before we arrived
and continued to be until we arrived (and possibly after that).
Coordinate. An element in a coordination construction. Sue or her son has two
coordinates: Sue (a bare coordinate) and or her son (an expanded coordinate).
Coordination. A construction with two or more constituents of equal status,
prototypically linked by a coordinator (and, or, but): It rained and it snowed
(coordination of clauses); Sue or her son (coordination of NPs); some rice and
beans (coordination of nouns).