Subordinate Clauses

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Txvagabond  #334440  Thu, 01 Mar 07 06:47 AM
I was helping a friend with her TOEFL exercises, and there are a few sentences I wasn't able to do. Please help me identify:
1. The subordinate clause
2. The type of subordinate clause (noun, adjective, adverb)
3. The function of the subordinate clause

I'll include my thoughts on each sentence as well. Thanks in advance.

    1. The report that the island is under water is very misleading.

            “that the island is under water” – EITHER noun clause functioning as restrictive appositive to subject "report" OR adjective clause modifying noun “report”

    2. We offered whoever told the truth clemency.

            “whoever told the truth” – noun clause functioning as indirect object

    3. Her idea that I hire you was a very good one.

            “that I hire you” – EITHER noun clause functioning as restrictive appositive to subject "idea" OR adjective clause modifying noun “idea”

    4. It is unfortunate that Mr. Jones will not return.

            “that Mr. Jones will not return” – EITHER adjective clause modifying pronoun “it” OR adverb clause modifying adjective "unfortunate"

  
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Inchoateknowledge  #334443  Thu, 01 Mar 07 07:03 AM
I'll include my thoughts on each sentence as well. Thanks in advance.

    1. The report that the island is under water is very misleading.

            “that the island is under water” – EITHER noun clause functioning as restrictive appositive  to subject " the report" OR adjective clause modifying noun “report” Yes

 

    2. We offered whoever told the truth clemency.

            “whoever told the truth” – noun clause functioning as indirect object Yes

    3. Her idea that I hire you was a very good one.

            “that I hire you” – EITHER noun clause functioning as restrictive appositive to subject "idea" OR adjective clause modifying noun “idea” Yes

3 = 1 in terms of syntax

    4. It is unfortunate that Mr. Jones will not return. Cleft

            “that Mr. Jones will not return” – notional subject as a noun clause

  
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CalifJim  #334454  Thu, 01 Mar 07 08:35 AM
1. The report that the island is under water is very misleading.

            “that the island is under water” –  noun clause functioning as restrictive appositive to subject "report" -- not adjective clause

    2. We offered whoever told the truth clemency.

            “whoever told the truth” – noun clause functioning as indirect object  - Yes.

    3. Her idea that I hire you was a very good one.

            “that I hire you” –  noun clause functioning as restrictive appositive to subject "idea"-- not adjective clause

    4. It is unfortunate that Mr. Jones will not return.

            “that Mr. Jones will not return” – NEITHER adjective clause ... NOR adverb clause ... -- noun clause - subject of the underlying That Mr. Jones will not return is unfortunate, to which "it-fronting" has been applied.  (A cleft version would be It is that Mr. Jones will not return that is unfortunate.)

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