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Eddie88 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Simple or complex clauses, which one?
Hi, these are sentences from another forum, which have created a lengthy debate. Some of them are difficult to determine if they are simple or complex clauses; that is, what types of clauses exist in these sentences.
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1.There was a welter of signs at the corner, each pointing in a different direction.
2. We watched Tim glut himself on pizza.
3. The butcher sold the entrails of the cow at a lower price than the other parts.
4. Seeing the barrow, the women knew they had found the grave of her grandfather.
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Please identify the independent clauses and dependent clauses that exist in these clauses.
Thanks in advance.
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1.There was a welter of signs at the corner, each pointing in a different direction.
2. We watched Tim glut himself on pizza.
3. The butcher sold the entrails of the cow at a lower price than the other parts.
4. Seeing the barrow, the women knew they had found the grave of her grandfather.
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Please identify the independent clauses and dependent clauses that exist in these clauses.
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Hi, Different people have different definitions of what constitutes a clause. I consider 1, 2 and 3 to each consist of one clause. #4 has a main clause, followed by a subordinate clause.
- Hi, Different people have different definitions of what constitutes a clause.
- I consider 1, 2 and 3 to each consist of one clause.
- #4 has a main clause, followed by a subordinate clause.
- However, I'm sure you have a more complex definition.
- Best wishes, Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,
Different people have different definitions of what constitutes a clause. I consider 1, 2 and 3 to each consist of one clause. #4 has a main clause, followed by a subordinate clause.
However, I'm sure you have a more complex definition.
Best wishes, Clive
Different people have different definitions of what constitutes a clause. I consider 1, 2 and 3 to each consist of one clause. #4 has a main clause, followed by a subordinate clause.
However, I'm sure you have a more complex definition.
Best wishes, Clive
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Thanks, Clive! I agree that everyone has different definitions of what constitutes a clause.
Here is how I see them:
1.There was a welter of signs at the corner, each pointing in a different direction.
Main clause, participle phrase
2. We watched Tim glut himself on pizza.
Mai
Here is how I see them:
1.There was a welter of signs at the corner, each pointing in a different direction.
Main clause, participle phrase
2. We watched Tim glut himself on pizza.
Mai
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Hi,
I agree with you..
3. The butcher sold the entrails of the cow at a lower price than the other parts.
I agree with you, but I suppose one could also debate whether the latter phrase is really a clause. eg Perhaps one might also interpret it as The butcher sold the entrails of the cow at a lower price than the price of the other parts.
I agree with you..
3. The butcher sold the entrails of the cow at a lower price than the other parts.
I agree with you, but I suppose one could also debate whether the latter phrase is really a clause. eg Perhaps one might also interpret it as The butcher sold the entrails of the cow at a lower price than the price of the other parts.
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4. Seeing the barrow, the women knew they had found the grave of her (their?) grandfather.
A noun subordinate clause.
Yes, a noun/complement clause with the omitted complementizer (that). If you read the sentence aloud with 'that' included, it seems very strange; the omittion makes the sentence flow far better!
I'd appreciate your comments on this post if you woul
A noun subordinate clause.
Yes, a noun/complement clause with the omitted complementizer (that). If you read the sentence aloud with 'that' included, it seems very strange; the omittion makes the sentence flow far better!
I'd appreciate your comments on this post if you woul
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