When a subordinate clause occurs as an element in a phrase, it mostcommonly functions as a postmodifier. Subordinate clauses may occur as postmodifiers in the following phrase types
(the phrases are bracketed).
1 Postmodifier in a noun phrase :
[The man who lives beside us] is unwell. relative clause
[The man to ask about plumbing] is Mr Davis to-clause
That-clauses function as complements in noun phrases:
[The fact that no one came] is really disappointing.
[The news that everyone on board was killed] has just
reached us .
2 Postmodifier in an adjective phrase:
I wasn’t [aware that I had to register.] that-clause
Chelsea were [reluctant to admit defeat.] to-clause
3 Complement in a prepositional phrase:
She has a reputation [for being difficult.] -ing clause
He’s still coming to terms [with what happened.] nominal relative
(the phrases are bracketed).
1 Postmodifier in a noun phrase :
[The man who lives beside us] is unwell. relative clause
[The man to ask about plumbing] is Mr Davis to-clause
That-clauses function as complements in noun phrases:
[The fact that no one came] is really disappointing.
[The news that everyone on board was killed] has just
reached us .
2 Postmodifier in an adjective phrase:
I wasn’t [aware that I had to register.] that-clause
Chelsea were [reluctant to admit defeat.] to-clause
3 Complement in a prepositional phrase:
She has a reputation [for being difficult.] -ing clause
He’s still coming to terms [with what happened.] nominal relative