Relative clauses

Question

Relative Clauses vs ComplementizersWhat are the major syntactic differences between the two constructions in the following examples:1st set illustrates Noun Complement Clauses2nd set illustrates more Relative Clauses1.a. the belief that/* which you stated something obviousb. the notion/*sincerity that you were perceiving the earth to be flatc. the hypothesis*(that) the earth is flat                  2. a. the belief that/which you stated   b. the notion/sincerity that you were perceiving    c. the hypothesis (that) you heard yesterday Some thoughts came to mind....in 1) it is modified by an adjunct?- occurs with 2 participantsin 2. no adjuncts

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Does the notation in 3c indicate that the removal of "that" is ungrammatical? I'll assume so.

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Some ideas about the differences:

which is not possible in Group 1. (It can't act as a complementizer.) It is possible in Group 2, where it is a relative pronoun.

that is required in Group 1. It is not required in Group 2.

In Group 2, that, which, or the absence of either plays the role (takes the place) of a noun phrase constituent in the clause which follows -- as subject or object, for example. In Group 1, where only that is possible, that does not play this role. In fact, in Group 1, the clause plays the same role in the larger structure as the noun phrase that precedes it. It is basically an appositive.

A noun which precedes a noun complement clause (Group 1) must be capable of having a propositional content. Examples: belief, hypothesis, proposition, fact, thought, desire, ... Counterexamples: sincerity, faith, size, strength, ... [This may be more of a semantic difference than a syntactic difference.]

CJ

PS. Nouns capable of having a propositional content can also be referenced in a relative clause, so ambiguities can occur: The proposal that he was advancing was preposterous.

PS. I'd forget about adjuncts if I were you. I don't see them having any connection to the question.

Relative clauses

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