Sentence Complexity and Embedding

Subordinate Noun Clauses

Activity 15.3: Noun Clause Sentence Structure

Each sentence below is a complex sentence with a noun clause in it.  Draw a vertical line to separate the subordinate clause from the main clause.  Then describe the differences in structure and meaning between the two sentences in each pair.

1. That he stole a necklace is indisputable.
2. It is indisputable that he stole a necklace.

3. That Lisa won the lottery is true.
4. It is true that Lisa won the lottery.

5. That I could lift a Hummer surprised everyone.
6. It surprised everyone that I could lift a Hummer.

7. Whether he likes fish is unimportant.
8. It is unimportant whether he likes fish.

9. If he likes fish is unimportant.
10. It is unimportant if he likes fish.

Answers

Dummy Subject It

In Activity 15.3 we see that English has a way around the matrix clause structure to create a more typical independent clause structure. We can shift the subject noun clause to the end of the sentence and insert a dummy subject it (also called nonreferential it) in the subject position in the main clause.  Now the sentence looks like an independent clause with an attached subordinate clause. Both sentences convey the same basic meaning, but a difference in formality exists, with the matrix clause generally seeming more formal than the independent clause type sentence.

It is important, however, to recognize that the subject it is, in fact, a dummy subject that provides nothing meaningful to the sentence.  When we pose the question what is indisputable?, the best answer is that he stole the necklace not it.

Now that we have an understanding of the sentence structure of complex sentences that contain noun clauses, we can begin to look more closely at some of the other details.  To begin to notice some of these other details, do Activity 15.4.

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