III. MORPHOLOGICAL REALIZATION

The function S can be realized by:

1. a NP
2. a finite clause
3. a non-finite clause
4. anticipatory IT + finite/nonfinite clause
5. unstressed THERE in existential sentences
6. a prepositional phrase


1. NP

1.1. Simple NP: Blood is thicker than water. Something is wrong.

1.2. More complex NP: All the new bungalows were sold to foreigners. The girl you were talking to is my secretary.


2. Finite clause: There are two types of finite clause that can function as S:

2.1. THAT-clauses: That he is the best candidate is self-evident. That his wife has left him doesn’t make him unhappy.

2.2. Clauses with an initial WH-word: What is said in chapter 6 is irrelevant. Which of them is going will be decided tomorrow.


3. Non-finite clause: Two types of non-finite clause can function as S:

3.1. With a TO-infinitive: To make such a statement in public is a bit of a risk. For John to marry a girl like Alice would mean the end of his career. It should be noted that the infinitive clause may have a subject of its own, which is introduced by FOR.

Infinitive clauses can be introduced by WH-word: Where to find her was a big problem for him. What to do in the case of emergency is fully explained in the book.

3.2. With an -ING participle: Howard being away doesn’t bother me. Getting here took a day and a half. Saying that you are sorry won’t help you.

4. Anticipatory IT + finite/non-finite clause: Sentences like: That he is the best candidate is self-evident. To say this in public is dangerous. Have the following alternative constructions: It is self-evident that he is the best candidate. It is dangerous to say this in public.

In the first two sentences the function S is realized by a finite and a non-finite clause respectively. In the latter two sentences the function S is realized by the discontinuous constituent IT + finite/non-finite clause. The first element of this constituent IT may be said to anticipate the second. For this reason it is traditionally called anticipatory IT.

Not all sentences with anticipatory IT have alternatives like the first two sentences: It seemed that he was wrong.* That he was wrong seemed.

Sentences with anticipatory IT exhibit a wide range of patterns which will not be discussed at length here.


5. Unstressed THERE functions as S in so called existential sentences: There is a book on the table. There was a pause. There was no reply.

Typically THERE is followed by a form of the verb BE plus a noun phrase. This phrase is usually indefinite and is called the notional subject of the sentence. Some authors consider THERE to be the syntactic subject of the sentence, because it is repeated in tag questions: There is no invitation for us, is there?

However, this point is arguable because THERE doesn’t agree with the verb: There is a student in the room. There are two students in the room.Obviously, in these sentences the V agrees with the notional subject in number THERE also occurs in non-existential sentences: There stood an enormous statue in the hall. There doesn’t appear to have been any change in their views. Through the door there came the faint creak of the rocking-horse.

There are also passive sentences with THERE: In 1929 there was committed the most serious crime in the history of the USA. There aren’t many murderers executed in this country.


6. Prepositional phrase. The function S may also be realized by a prepositional phrase, which usually denotes either time or place: After five o’clock is the best time to meet. Within two miles of the airport would be too noisy.

The S can also be realized by adverbial pro-forms like now, then, here and there: Now is the best time to meet. Here would be too noisy.