An English Grammar

1896

by W. M. Baskervill & J. W. Sewell

Preface | Introduction | Part I, Parts of Speech: Nouns | Pronouns | Adjectives | Articles |

Verbs & Verbals: Verbs | Verbals | How to Parse | Adverbs | Conjunctions | Prepositions |
Words That Need Watching | Interjections | Analysis: Form | Number: Simple | Contracted |
Complex | Compound | Syntax: Introductory | Nouns | Pronouns | Adjectives | Articles |
Verbs | Indirect Discourse | Verbals | Infinitives | Adverbs | Conjunctions | Prepositions |

PART II.

ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES.

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF STATEMENTS.

COMPLEX SENTENCES.

367. Our investigations have now included all the machinery of the simple sentence, which
is the unit of speech.

Our further study will be in sentences which are combinations of simple sentences, made
merely for convenience and smoothness, to avoid the tiresome repetition of short ones of
monotonous similarity.

Next to the simple sentence stands the complex sentence. The basis of it is two or more
simple sentences, which are so united that one member is the main one,-the backbone,-the
other members subordinate to it, or dependent on it; as in this sentence,-

"When such a spirit breaks forth into complaint, we are aware how great must be the
suffering that extorts the murmur."

The relation of the parts is as follows:-

we are aware
_______ _____
| |
__| when such a spirit breaks
| forth into complaint,
|
how great must be the suffering
|
that extorts the murmur.
This arrangement shows to the eye the picture that the sentence forms in the
mind,-how the first clause is held in suspense by the mind till the second, we are
aware, is taken in; then we recognize this as the main statement; and the next
one, how great ... suffering, drops into its place as subordinate to we are aware;
and the last, that ... murmur, logically depends on suffering.

Hence the following definition:-

368. A complex sentence is one containing one main or independent clause (also called the principal
proposition or clause), and one or more subordinate or dependent clauses.

369. The elements of a complex sentence are the same as those of the simple sentence; that is,
each clause has its subject, predicate, object, complements, modifiers, etc.

But there is this difference: whereas the simple sentence always has a word or a phrase for
subject, object, complement, and modifier, the complex sentence has statements or clauses for
these places.

CLAUSES.

370. A clause is a division of a sentence, containing a verb with its subject.

Hence the term clause may refer to the main division of the complex sentence, or it may be
applied to the others,-the dependent or subordinate clauses.

371. A principal, main, or independent clause is one making a statement without the help of
any other clause.

A subordinate or dependent clause is one which makes a statement depending upon or

modifying some word in the principal clause.

372. As to their office in the sentence, clauses are divided into NOUN, ADJECTIVE, and
ADVERB clauses, according as they are equivalent in use to nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Noun Clauses.
373. Noun clauses have the following uses:-

(1) Subject: "That such men should give prejudiced views of America is not a matter of
surprise."

(2) Object of a verb, verbal, or the equivalent of a verb: (a) "I confess these stories, for a
time, put an end to my fancies;" (b) "I am aware [I know] that a skillful illustrator of the
immortal bard would have swelled the materials."

Just as the object noun, pronoun, infinitive, etc., is retained after a passive verb (Sec. 352,
5), so the object clause is retained, and should not be called an adjunct of the subject; for
example, "We are persuaded that a thread runs through all things;" "I was told that the
house had not been shut, night or day, for a hundred years."

(3) Complement: "The terms of admission to this spectacle are, that he have a certain solid
and intelligible way of living."

(4) Apposition. (a) Ordinary apposition, explanatory of some noun or its equivalent: "Cecil's
saying of Sir Walter Raleigh, ' I know that he can toil terribly,' is an electric touch."

(b) After "it introductory" (logically this is a subject clause, but it is often treated as in
apposition with it): "It was the opinion of some, that this might be the wild huntsman
famous in German legend."

(5) Object of a preposition: "At length he reached to where the ravine had opened through
the cliffs."

Notice that frequently only the introductory word is the object of the preposition, and the
whole clause is not; thus, "The rocks presented a high impenetrable wall, over which the
torrent came tumbling."

374. Here are to be noticed certain sentences seemingly complex, with a noun clause in
apposition with it; but logically they are nothing but simple sentences. But since they are
complex in form, attention is called to them here; for example,-

"Alas! it is we ourselves that are getting buried alive under this avalanche of earthly
impertinences."

To divide this into two clauses-(a) It is we ourselves, (b) that are ... impertinences-would be
grammatical; but logically the sentence is, We ourselves are getting ... impertinences, and
it is ... that is merely a framework used to effect emphasis. The sentence shows how it may
lose its pronominal force.

Other examples of this construction are,-

"It is on the understanding, and not on the sentiment, of a nation, that all safe legislation
must be based."

"Then it is that deliberative Eloquence lays aside the plain attire of her daily occupation."

Exercise.

Tell how each noun clause is used in these sentences:-

1. I felt that I breathed an atmosphere of sorrow.

2. But the fact is, I was napping.

3. Shaking off from my spirit what must have been a dream, I scanned more narrowly the
aspect of the building.

4. Except by what he could see for himself, he could know nothing.

5. Whatever he looks upon discloses a second sense.

6. It will not be pretended that a success in either of these kinds is quite coincident with
what is best and inmost in his mind.

7. The reply of Socrates, to him who asked whether he should choose a wife, still remains
reasonable, that, whether he should choose one or not, he would repent it.

8. What history it had, how it changed from shape to shape, no man will ever know.

9. Such a man is what we call an original man.

10. Our current hypothesis about Mohammed, that he was a scheming impostor, a
falsehood incarnate, that his religion is a mere mass of quackery and fatuity, begins really
to be no longer tenable to any one.