Complement Clauses
Earlier we looked at a common problem in nonstandard English that involves a
subordinate clause and a linking verb:
- *The reason is because it’s important.
We noted that subordinate clauses cannot follow linking verbs; only noun
constructions, adjective constructions, and prepositional phrases can do so.
With respect to this example sentence, Standard English therefore calls for:
- The reason isthat it’s important.
When discussing this construction previously, there was no analysis of the
italicized portion of the sentence. We now have the grammatical tools and vo-
cabulary to look at it more closely. The construction is acomplex noun con-
structionknown as acomplement clause.
Complement clauses are quite versatile. They can function as subjects, ob-
jects, noun complements, verb complements (as previously shown), and adjec-
tive complements. The following sentences illustrate these possibilities:
51.That Macarena liked Buggsysurprised everyone. (subject)- Raul knewthat he should geta job. (object)
- Mrs. DiMarco scoffed at the ideathat she should remarry.(NP complement)
- The problem wasthat Buggsy’s wife could be mean.(VP complement)
- Macarena was sadthat she had missed the concert.(AdjP complement)
- Raul knew nothing exceptthat he loved Maria.(object of preposition)
A complement clause always has a subject and a predicate, and it begins
with the complementizing conjunction (comp)that.In the case of complement
clauses functioning as objects, however, we have the option of deleting the
complementizer, which results in sentences like 52a:
52a. Raul knewhe should get a job.(When sentences like 52a are analyzed on a tree diagram, the null symbol
[Ø] takes the place of the complementizer.)
PHRASE STRUCTURE GRAMMAR 139