18. Non-finite Subordination

What is non-finite subordination?

So far, the subordinate clauses we have diagrammed have been finite. Finite subordinate clauses usually contain:

  1. An explicit subject.
  2. A verb phrase marked for tense or modality.

Finite subordinate clauses are often introduced by subordinators. Examples:

  • Finite adverbial clause:
    Because we looked so much alike, I was her celebrity double.

  • That-complement clause:
    I reminded myself that there is a first time for everything.

  • Wh-complement clause:
    I knew what the appearance of indifference might mean.

Now, we move on to non-finite subordinate clauses, another type of dependent clause that cannot stand alone. Non-finite clauses differ from finite clauses in two key ways:

  1. They generally lack an explicit subject.
  2. Their verb phrases are not marked for tense or modality.

Examples of Non-finite Subordinate Clauses

Non-finite subordinate clauses are bold in the examples below. Note that these clauses cannot stand alone as independent clauses:

  • I told everyone to secure their life jackets properly.
    (to-infinitive clause)

  • She helped her mother dust the precious books.
    (bare infinitive clause)

  • Facing the possibility of years in prison, she agreed to a plea deal.
    (ing-participle clause)

  • Taken by surprise, he simply made the wrong choice.
    (ed-participle clause)

From the above examples, we can see:

  • Non-finite clauses begin directly with a verb (e.g., to secure, dust, facing, taken), followed by other elements in the predicate.
  • They lack grammatical tense or modality.
  • The subject is usually not explicitly present but can often be inferred logically.

Diagramming Non-Finite Subordinate Clauses

Non-finite clauses share the following basic structure:

  • Verb Phrase (VP): Includes the main verb and any required or optional elements.
    Example:
    • To secure their life jackets properly
      • Main verb: secure
      • Required: their life jackets (direct object)
      • Optional: properly (adverbial)

When diagramming, non-finite subordinate clauses are labeled as nf sub cls (non-finite subordinate clause).

Syntactic Positions

Non-finite subordinate clauses can serve as constituents in a main clause. They can occur in various syntactic positions, including:

  • Direct Object (DO)
  • Object Complement (OC)
  • Adverbial (Advl)

They may also appear as:

  • Subjects
  • Subject Complements
  • Adjective Complements
  • Noun Modifiers
  • Noun Complements
  • Objects of Prepositions

To-Infinitive Clauses

To-infinitive clauses, or to-clauses, are the most common type of non-finite clause and are highly flexible in terms of their syntactic positions. They are easily recognized by their introduction with the infinitive marker to, which acts as a subordinator.

Example Full Diagram

(you are not required to diagram subordinate clauses fully)

  • To secure their life jackets properly
    image

Passive Voice in To-Clauses

Though to-clauses are not marked for tense or modality, the verb in a to-clause can occur in passive voice. Example:

  • Perhaps this shift in the economy was to be expected as the baby boomers aged.

Syntactic Positions of To-Clauses

As Verb Complements

To-clauses often fulfill a syntactic slot required by a verb, serving as a complement. They can act as:

  • Subject:
    To restore the village became his primary goal.
    image

  • Direct Object (DO) of Monotransitive Verbs:
    We might need to know the law of a previous era.
    image

  • Direct Object (DO) of Ditransitive Verbs:
    I told the kids to meet me at lunchtime.
    image

  • Subject Complement:
    Almost overnight, the challenge became to make ends meet.
    image

  • Object Complement:
    They believed the tradition to be relatively new.
    image

As Adjective Complements

To-clauses can complement adjectives, providing additional information.

  • Example:
    I’m so sorry to wake you up so early.
    image
As Post-Nominal Modifiers

To-clauses can modify nouns by adding descriptive information, functioning as post-modifiers.

  • Example:
    She had never seen such beautiful things to buy.
    image
As Adverbials

To-clauses as adverbials typically convey reason or purpose, answering “why?” for the main clause.

  • Example: To battle my stress, I run every day of the week. image

Bare Infinitive Clauses

Bare infinitive clauses are a special type of to-infinitive clause. They are structurally similar to to-clauses but do not begin with the infinitive marker to. Instead, these clauses begin with the base form of the verb, which is the same form that typically follows the infinitive marker to.

Examples of Bare Infinitive Clauses

  1. He helped him find a job as a car mechanic.
  2. A community effort helped build this company.

Identifying Bare Infinitive Clauses

  1. Re-insertion of “to”:
    In many cases, you can reinsert the infinitive marker to into a bare infinitive clause:
    • He helped him to find a job as a car mechanic.
    • A community effort helped to build this company.
  2. Exceptions:
    Some bare infinitive clauses do not allow reinsertion of to:
    • HMOs are letting the public know the benefits of their organizations.
      • Incorrect: HMOs are letting the public to know the benefits of their organizations.

Verbs Associated with Bare Infinitive Clauses

Bare infinitive clauses occur with a restricted set of verbs. Examples include:

  • Help + bare infinitive:
    • He helped find the solution.
  • Dare + bare infinitive:
    • She dared speak the truth.
  • Feel/See/Make + NP + bare infinitive:
    • They felt the wind blow.
    • I saw him leave the house.
    • She made the team work harder.

Diagramming Bare Infinitive Clauses

In this class, bare infinitive clauses are not diagrammed, but you are expected to recognize them when they appear.

Ing-Participle Clauses

Ing-participle clauses, or ing-clauses, are a type of non-finite clause that begins with an ing-participle form of a verb. These clauses are straightforward to identify because of their characteristic -ing verb form.

Characteristics of Ing-Clauses

  1. Non-finite Nature:
    • The verb phrase (VP) is not marked for tense or modality.
    • The -ing participle appears alone without the auxiliary verb be.
      • Example (finite progressive clause): She is reading a book.
      • Example (non-finite ing-clause): Reading a book is relaxing.
  2. Syntactic Positions:
    • Ing-clauses can occur in a range of syntactic positions, though their usage is more restricted compared to to-clauses.

Syntactic Positions of Ing-Clauses

1. As Verb Complements

  • Subject:
    Having a reliable clinical test can make diagnoses safe, fast, and accurate.
    image

  • Subject Complement (SC):
    My favorite pastime is curling up by a roaring fire.
    image

  • Direct Object (DO):
    Witnesses don’t remember hearing any screeching before impact.
    image

  • Object Complement (OC):
    I found myself thinking about all the possibilities.
    image

2. As Objects of a Preposition
  • Example:
    We are interested in seeing the depth of this information.
    image
3. As Post-Nominal Modifiers

Ing-clauses can modify nouns, functioning as post-nominal modifiers by adding descriptive information about the head noun.

  • Example:
    They have outreach materials for people working with different constituencies.
    image
4. As Adverbials

Ing-clauses as adverbials typically convey descriptive information about how, when, where, or why events in the main clause occurred.

  • Example:
    Holding the frame in his left hand, he wiped the dust from the glass.
    image

Ed-Participle Clauses

Ed-participle clauses, or ed-clauses, are a type of non-finite clause that begins with an ed-participle form of a verb. These clauses are relatively less common and occur in more restricted syntactic positions compared to other non-finite clauses.

Characteristics of Ed-Clauses

  1. Non-finite Nature:
    • The verb phrase lacks auxiliary verbs like have (used for perfect aspect) or be (used for passive voice).
    • The ed-participle appears alone.
  2. Logical Passive Voice:
    • Ed-clauses are inherently passive. If restated as finite clauses with an explicit subject, they would always take the passive voice.
      • Example:
        • Ed-clause: Frustrated by the lack of action, activists have taken their causes to the courts.
        • Finite clause: Activists were frustrated by the lack of action.

Syntactic Positions of Ed-Clauses

1. As Adverbials

Ed-clauses as adverbials provide descriptive information about the circumstances of the main clause, answering questions like how, when, where, or why.

  • Example 1:
    Frustrated by the lack of action, activists have taken their causes to the courts.
    image

  • Example 2:
    Accompanied by a roar of approval, they delivered a passionate bilingual version.
    image

2. As Post-Nominal Modifiers

Ed-clauses can also modify nouns as post-nominal modifiers. Similar to ing-clauses in this role, ed-clauses provide descriptive information about the noun they follow.

  • Example 1:
    The damage caused by the intelligence leak is far-reaching and irrefutable.
    image

  • Example 2:
    We have always been supportive of legal actions taken by the ACLU.
    image