Complex sentence with nominal clauses

1. A subject clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, if, whether, because, either...or, etc. or the conjunctive words who, what, which, where, how, why, wherever, etc.. Complex sentences with subject clauses may be of two patterns:
a) When a subject clause precedes the predicate of the main clause: What I want is for you to build me a house.

b) When a subject clause is in final position, the usual place of the subject being occupied by the formal introductory it: It was lucky that she agreed to undertake the job.

2. A predicative clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, whether, as, as if, as though, because, lest, etc. or the conjunctive words who, whoever, which, where, when, how, why, etc.:

It was as though our last meeting was forgotten.

A predicative clause has a fixed position in the sentence ― it always follows a link verb: to be, to seem, to appear, to feel, to look, to sound, etc., with which it forms a compound nominal predicate: It appears he hasn’t been there.
Note 1. Predicative clauses introduced by the conjunctions as, as if, as though should not be confused with adverbial clauses of comparison introduced by the same conjunctions. A predicative clause immediately follows the link verb. Compare the following sentences:

It seems that there is no cure (a predicative clause).
It seems evident that there is no cure (a subject clause).
Note 2. If both the subject and the predicative are expressed by clauses the principal clause consists only of a link verb: What he says is that he goes away.
3. An object clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, if, whether, lest, etc. or the conjunctive words who, whoever, what, where, when, why, how, etc.He asked me if I wanted to stay.

An object clause may either follow or precede the main clause: What she thinks it would be impossible to say.

Object clauses may be used after adjectives expressing feeling, perception, desire, assurance: afraid, glad, happy, certain, sure, sorry, pleased, desirous, anxious, aware, etc.: He was glad that no one was at home.

Note: Like subject clauses, object clauses may be preceded by the formal it: I like it when people are nice to me.

An object clause may be joined to the main clause by the prepositions after, about, before, for, of, beyond, etc.: I want to be paid for what I do.

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Sunday, May 23, 2010 by Data Cube
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