Ing clause--sentence analysis

Question

a) While playing football, I broke my leg. (?)b) Although still young, he was able to knock down the man. (?)c) Although not knowing any English, he managed to entertain the guests.a=reduced adverbial clauseb=??c=??I assume both b and c are grammatical, but what phrase/clause type are they?Thanks in advance

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

English 1b3I assume both b and c are grammatical, but what phrase/clause type are they?

You'll probably want to hear other members' opinions but in the grammar I am familiar with they are concessive clause equivalents. The first sentence has a temporal clauseequivalent.

CB

Andriy Lapin · Answer

Greetings, English 1b3,

in short, a=b=c=adverbial clause.

'A' is a temporal non-finite adverbial clause with initial cataphoric (referring forwards) ellipsis. Applying backward transformation, we get:

While I was playing football, I broke my leg.

'B' is somewhat different in that it is not non-finite, but verbless adverbial clause of concession. Nevertheless, it features the same type of ellipsis as 'A':

Althought he was still young, he was able to knock down the man.

Finally, 'C' bears resemblance to both 'A' and 'B'. On the one hand, it is a non-finite clause (knowing), but on the other it functions as a concession adverbial. The type of ellipsis is still the same as in the above.

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

BarbaraPA · Answer

C doesn't sound correct to me at all.

You could say "Despite not knowing" or "Although he didn't know" but not "Although not knowing" as a participle phrase describing "he."

English 1b3 · Answer

Thank you all for your good replies. The reason I asked this question was because I didn't feel c was right, just as GG didn't.

1) Is there going to be no agreement on the correctness of this sentence?

2) When is an ellipsis like the ones above permitted? What words can be omitted?

3) Is the ellipsis only permitted when the words that are missing could simply be inserted again? If so, what is the non-reduced version of c?

Thank you in advance

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I'd just like to offer the opinion that C seems acceptable to me.

Clive

BarbaraPA · Answer

I'm always willing to believe in regional variation both in what sounds right and what sounds wrong.

Andriy Lapin · Answer

Dear friends,

the issue in question is whether the subordinator although is capable of introducing a non-finite -ing clause. On consulting any serious grammar manual, one may find out (under the heading of 'subordinators for -ing clauses') that although (though) is listed among the conjunctions functioning in this way. According to this viewpoint, sentence 'C' is entirely acceptable.

In my previous post in this thread, I suggested that 'C' features ellipsis, but I would like to reformulate my opinion. It superficially seems elliptical, but, as a matter of fact, it is not, since the -ing participle does not represent the progressive form in the equivalent finite clause. In this case, the participle is said to neutralise the aspectual distinction. Our example is conspicuous to the utmost, because the verb is used statively and thus does not allow progressive interpretation:

Although not knowing any English, he managed to entertain the guests.
~
Although he didn't know any English, ...

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

English 1b3 · Answer

Thanks, Gleb

I think part of my doubt with sentence c was whether or not 'although' could head the ing clause. I've never seen or heard its being used thus.

1) When is an ellipsis like the sentence b above permitted? What words can be omitted?

2) Is the ellipsis only permitted when the words that are missing could simply be inserted again? If so, what is the non-reduced version of c?

3) And if c is not an ellipsis, what is it? Is it simply an ing clause with a subordinator?

Andriy Lapin · Answer

English 1b3Thanks, Gleb

My pleasure, English 1b3!

English 1b3I think part of my doubt with sentence c was whether or not 'although' could head the ing clause.

It definitely can.

English 1b31) When is an ellipsis like the sentence b above permitted? What words can be omitted?

In similar cases, ellipsis occurs when the words are precisely recoverable (as are the words 'he was' in the matrix clause). Omitted are usually the subject and the operator (we call it 'initial ellipsis')

English 1b32) Is the ellipsis only permitted when the words that are missing could simply be inserted again? If so, what is the non-reduced version of c?

.

I suppose you mean that the precise words can be found elsewhere in the sentence. If so, this is not always the case. Sometimes, the words are not recoverable:

(Since he was/Being) Enraged, he dashed out of the room. <the words in parentheses are not present in the actual sentence>

The non-reduced version was the last sentence in my previous post, but I would treat the word 'non-reduced' with caution as it presupposes ellipsis, and we have found out that the thing is more complicated than that.

English 1b33) And if c is not an ellipsis, what is it? Is it simply an ing clause with a subordinator?

Plainly speaking, yes. Technically speaking, it is a clause with a neutralisation of the progressive aspect.

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

English 1b3 · Answer

How would we know to reduce sentences like c? If the words being omitted aren't repeated elsewhere in the sentence, how are we to know the words can be omitted? Or are you saying this sentence hasn't been reduced/had words omitted?

Although not knowing any English, he managed to entertain the guests.

~

Although he didn't know any English, ...

Ing clause--sentence analysis

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