Clauses which are pc or do

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Doll  #347749  Fri, 06 Apr 07 09:43 AM

Hi, everyone    

I was studying for my exam today without any problem till I came across with this sentences.         

They deny that a mistake has been made ---that a mistake has been made is direct object   

John admitted that he was wrong-----that he was wrong is direct object   

You shouldn't forget that he is over 80 years old.----that he is over 80 years old is direct object    

This means that we shall have to check our data again.----that we shall have to check... is predicator complemet  

Teachrs complain that classes are getting too big--- that classes are geting too big is pc.    

The ones in pink are my answers.1)Would you please check them?I want to be sure that they are corret.2)How can I understand whether that clauses above is PC  or DO because they seem so confusing to me.Are there any clues?    

Thanks in advance

  
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Clive  #347900  Fri, 06 Apr 07 06:42 PM

Hi,

In the way that I was taught grammar, I would simply say that all of these clauses are noun clauses, acting as objects in these sentences.

I think that you are being taught grammar using different methods and terminology.  Perhaps your system is superior, I don't know. Smile [:)]

If you say This means that we shall have to check our data again.----that we shall have to check... is predicator complement  

then what would you call 'trouble' in the simpler sentence 'This means trouble'? 

Best wishes, Clive

  
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Doll  #347902  Fri, 06 Apr 07 06:51 PM

Hi Clive,  

Thanks for answering.They are noun clauses for me too but I wrote the sentence wrong.Big Smile [:D] 

then what would you call 'trouble' in the simpler sentence 'This means trouble'?   I would say trouble is subject attribute.   

I got confused againEmbarrassed [:$]

 

  
Clive  #347911  Fri, 06 Apr 07 07:30 PM

Hi,

what would you call 'trouble' in the simpler sentence 'This means trouble'?   I would say trouble is subject attribute.  I see. I would just call it 'the object'. 

But then, in the following sentence, you wouldn't just call 'that we shall have to check our data again' a subject attribute?

This means that we shall have to check our data again.----that we shall have to check... is predicator complement  

Best wishes, Clive

  
Doll  #347960  Fri, 06 Apr 07 10:25 PM

Thanks for your answers Clive, today I really feel so confused.I willl try to understand everything from the begining with a fresh mind.                   

Good night

  
Doll  #348398  Sun, 08 Apr 07 04:52 PM

Hi Clive,  

today I have tried to solve my problem and I changed my mind.     

what would you call 'trouble' in the simpler sentence 'This means trouble'?   I would say trouble is subject attribute.  I see. I would just call it 'the object'.   I don't know why I told I would call it SA.It now seems predicator complement to me again.I tried to think as you told and I found I would call it object, too.In short, I am in dilemma!

  
Clive  #348415  Sun, 08 Apr 07 05:15 PM

Hi Doll,

In short, I am in dilemma! Write a couple of sentences, as simple as possible, that outline your dilemma as you see it today, and we'll try to help you, OK?

Best wishes, Clive

  
Doll  #348419  Sun, 08 Apr 07 05:26 PM

Okay Clive.    

I suddenly recognised the postman. --- the postman is direct object.  

They say that the president commited suicide--- that the president committed suicide is direct object.    

Your proposal seems a good solution.---- a good solution is subject attribute.  

Her theory is that they aren't brough by chance.---- that they aren't brought by chance is subject attribute.     

He has two houses-- two houses is predicator complement.  

That suit doesn't fit me--- me is predicator compliment.        Again pink ones are my answers.In fact, when there is a noun clause starting with that I don't know what to call it.

  
Clive  #348586  Mon, 09 Apr 07 06:02 AM

Hi,

I think the situation is that you are being taught grammar using terms that I was not taught. Ways of analysing sentences change and evolve, so I do not mean to suggest that there is anything wrong with the way that you have been taught. It's just different, to me.

It seems to me that it's just a matter of being clear about the definitions of the terms you are using.

I suddenly recognised the postman. --- the postman is direct object.   I agree. Also the complement?

They say that the president commited suicide--- that the president committed suicide is direct object.  Yes. I'd add that it's a noun clause that acts as the object.  It also seems to me it's the complement.Can you also call it the complement? 

Your proposal seems a good solution.---- a good solution is subject attribute.  You're probably right. How do you define the term 'subject attribute'? 

Her theory is that they aren't brought by chance.---- that they aren't brought by chance is subject attribute.    Same comment. It's also a noun clause, of course. 

He has two houses-- two houses is predicator complement.   Well, 'has two houses' is the predicate. It's what is said about the subject 'he'. And 'two houses' is the complement that is added to the verb 'has' to make the predicate. So I guess I agree with you, if that's your definition of 'predicator complement'. I guess that, in this case, you can also say that it's the object?

That suit doesn't fit me--- me is predicator compliment.   Again, I guess so.    Again pink ones are my answers.In fact, when there is a noun clause starting with that I don't know what to call it. See the first example.

Best wishes, Clive

  
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