Syntax - I think/wonder/believe/suspect (that) + clause

Question

"I think she's beautiful!""I'm sure he died."I think CJ would simply analyze this as two clauses.Is there a more "traditional" view?  Can you say the second clause is the object of the first verb?In the second example, is "to be sure" a compound verb in this case?(I scoured the house search engine to no avail.)  Thanks,   - A.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Hi Avangi

I know I should not have butted in but it's too late to regret it now!

Unlike Jim, I'm not at all familiar with transformational grammar even though I do remember reading an introduction to it in the 1960s. Besides, grammatical analysis differs from country to country quite a lot - and that's the reason why I probably won't be able to impart to this discussion anything you might find useful.

In both your examples the conjunction that is missing. In the grammatical terminology that is widely used in Scandinavia, a that clause is a subordinate clause and as a clause can be an object, she's beautiful is indeed considered the object of think here.

In this part of the world, to be does not take an object and unfortunately I don't even know what the term we call he died in your second sentence is in English. Probably nothing since there are so big differences in parsing sentences between the USA and Scandinavia. Often there is no translation for words at all!

I know that this doesn't help you but I just wanted to write a few lines anyway. I think it's because I kind of like many of the slightly enigmatic replies I get from you!

CB

Anonymous · Answer

Very interesting questions.  (1) "I think she's beautiful." Every grammar book teaches it means "I think (that she is beautiful)." Noun clause is object of the verb.  Many years ago (no more!), the sentence would have been analyzed like this: I think that (pronoun): she is beautiful (in apposition to "that"). (2) "I'm sure he died."  Books tell us that it is an "adverbial objective."  That is, it is a noun clause that belongs to an adjective expressing mental attitude.  Probably (probably!), it was originally somethng like: I am sure of this fact (that he died).  "That he died" is appositive of "fact."

CalifJim · Answer

AvangiIs there a more "traditional" view?

That is the traditional view! "Two clauses" does not have to mean "two independent clauses", you know! The subordinate clause is embedded within the main clause.

AvangiCan you say the second clause is the object of the first verb?

Yes. (that) she's beautiful is a subordinate clause. That's about as traditional as it gets! (I'm referring to the first case.)

Avangi is "to be sure" a compound verb in this case?

I think that would be an untraditional interpretation. to be is a linking verb, and sure is an adjective. The subordinate clause he died may be thought of as an adjective complement. (Non-clausal complements of sure are introduced by of: He was sure of the address.)

CJ

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, Jim.  The picture is starting to take shape!  <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Everlastinghope · Answer

Hi,

I found that after the commonest verbs of saying and thinking,"that" can be left out.For instance," I said I wanted to get a drink" or " Jane thought it was time to buy a new car".

"I wanted to get a drink" is considered as an object of the main clause.

Regarding the second example that you gave " I'm sure he died", "he died" plays the role of an adjective.

CalifJim has well explained this.

CalifJim · Answer

everlastinghope "he died" plays the role of an adjective.

You have misunderstood. (that) he died is the (noun (clause)) complement of the adjective sure.

CJ

Everlastinghope · Answer

You're right,I didn't pay attention to where the adjective is.My apologies.

Avangi · Answer

Thanks for your contributions, everlasting.  I follow you.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Syntax - I think/wonder/believe/suspect (that) + clause

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