2. Non-finite dependent clauses

Syntactic functions and complexity features

• Structural type 2: Non-finite dependent clauses

  • Syntactic function 1: clause constituent adverbial
    • Complexity feature 1: to-clause as purpose adverbial
    • Complexity feature 2: ing-clause as adverbial
    • Complexity feature 3: ed-clause as adverbial
  • Syntactic function 2: clause constituent verb complement
    • Complexity feature 1: verb + to complement
    • Complexity feature 2: verb + ing complement
  • Syntactic function 3: noun phrase constituent_modifier
    • Complexity feature 1: noun + to relative clause
    • Complexity feature 2: noun + ing relative clause
    • Complexity feature 3: noun + ed relative clause
  • Syntactic function 4: noun phrase constituent_complement
    • Complexity feature 1: noun + to complement clause
  • Syntactic function 5: other phrase constituent_adjective complement
    • Complexity feature 1: adjective + to complement clause
    • Complexity feature 2: extraposed adjective + to complement clause
  • Syntactic function 6: other phrase constituent_prepositional complement
    • Complexity feature 1: preposition + ing complement clause

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Non-finite dependent clauses

In contrast to finite dependent clauses, non-finite dependent clauses are distinct from their finite counterparts in that they do not contain a verb phrase marked by tense or modality. Their nature is more succinct and implicit compared to finite clauses. These clauses typically omit an explicit subject and often do not require a subordinator, which leads to a lack of explicitness and a compact semantic structure. Interpreting a non-finite clause often requires context from the main clause and sometimes from the broader context of the discourse. There are three primary types of non-finite clauses, each characterized by a different form of verb phrase: to-infinitive clauses, ing-clauses, and ed-clauses. For more information, refer to pp. 198-201. Below are some examples to compare between non-finite and finite:

• Example 1: to-infinitive clause
  • Non-finite: I don't know what to write in the report.
  • Finite: I don't know what I should write in the report.
• Example 2: ing-clause
  • Non-finite: Reading through the document, she found several critical errors.
  • Finite: As she was reading through the document, she found several critical errors.
• Example 3: ed-clause
  • Non-finite: Shocked by the news, he was unable to respond.
  • Finite: Because he was shocked by the news, he was unable to respond.

Subjects in non-finite clauses

In non-finite clauses, the subject is frequently implicit, inferred from the context rather than explicitly stated. When a subject is expressed within non-finite clauses, it takes the form of a noun phrase. In this case, the subject cannot be a clause and always appears before the verb phrase (p. 125).

• Do you want [us] to put them back in?
• I asked [Mother] to put his bike in the garage.