In this section we look briefly at a range of clause types which are peripheral in sentence structure. These peripheral clauses are grammatically unintegrated, to varying degrees, in the sentences that contain them.
Comment clauses
A comment clause is a brief clause inserted into a sentence, expressing the speaker’s attitude towards what is being said:
We could, I suppose, share one between us.
So the building was used, I imagine, for storing grain.
She was acting on impulse, I guess.
I can’t help you, I’m afraid.
Other comment clauses include: I assume, I reckon, I should think, I must say, I’m sorry to say, I must admit.
Reporting clauses and direct speech
A reporting clause identifies the speaker of direct speech:
‘The music is too loud,’ said Jim.
The lady said, ‘I don’t need any help’.
In direct speech , the exact words used by a speaker are quoted, as in
these examples. In indirect speech , the words are subsequently reported by someone else:
Direct speech: ‘The music is too loud’, said Jim.
Indirect speech: Jim said that the music was too loud.
The switch from direct speech to indirect speech involves a change of tense. Here, the present tense verb (is) in direct speech becomes the past tense verb (was) in indirect speech.
Reporting clauses are often extended by the use of adjuncts :
‘The music is too loud’, said Jim angrily.
‘It’s a wonderful gift’, said Laura gratefully.
‘I’m not coming back’, cried Tom, as he slammed the door.
Tag questions
Particularly in spoken English, questions are often added to the end of a declarative sentence:
You were born in London, weren’t you?
The interrogative weren’t you? is called a tag question, because it is‘tagged on’ to the end of the declarative You were born in London.Tag questions are used to seek agreement with what has just been said in the declarative part. Further examples include:
It’s very warm, isn’t it?
The policy hasn’t really worked, has it?
Bernard worked in Whitehall, didn’t he?
Parentheticals
A parenthetical is a complete sentence which is inserted ‘parenthetically’into another sentence. In writing, parentheticals are marked off from the main sentence by enclosing them in brackets or dashes:
The range of colours (most suppliers have 72) can include metallics, and both warm and cool greys.
By Bugatti standards it was not technically advanced – smaller
Bugattis used similar technical layouts – merely bigger and grander, in all respects.
A parenthetical sentence has no grammatical connection with the main sentence. In speech, parentheticals are sometimes introduced by and:
There is a sense in which and Hogarth realized this satire is also a form of entertainment.
Sentential relative clauses
A sentential relative clause is introduced by the relative pronoun which.Sentential relatives are used to add a comment about what has just been said:
James took the early train, which was lucky for him.
Mary finally passed her exams, which was a relief to everyone.
John doesn’t want to meet Laura, which I can understand.
Comment clauses
A comment clause is a brief clause inserted into a sentence, expressing the speaker’s attitude towards what is being said:
We could, I suppose, share one between us.
So the building was used, I imagine, for storing grain.
She was acting on impulse, I guess.
I can’t help you, I’m afraid.
Other comment clauses include: I assume, I reckon, I should think, I must say, I’m sorry to say, I must admit.
Reporting clauses and direct speech
A reporting clause identifies the speaker of direct speech:
‘The music is too loud,’ said Jim.
The lady said, ‘I don’t need any help’.
In direct speech , the exact words used by a speaker are quoted, as in
these examples. In indirect speech , the words are subsequently reported by someone else:
Direct speech: ‘The music is too loud’, said Jim.
Indirect speech: Jim said that the music was too loud.
The switch from direct speech to indirect speech involves a change of tense. Here, the present tense verb (is) in direct speech becomes the past tense verb (was) in indirect speech.
‘The music is too loud’, said Jim angrily.
‘It’s a wonderful gift’, said Laura gratefully.
‘I’m not coming back’, cried Tom, as he slammed the door.
Tag questions
Particularly in spoken English, questions are often added to the end of a declarative sentence:
You were born in London, weren’t you?
The interrogative weren’t you? is called a tag question, because it is‘tagged on’ to the end of the declarative You were born in London.Tag questions are used to seek agreement with what has just been said in the declarative part. Further examples include:
It’s very warm, isn’t it?
The policy hasn’t really worked, has it?
Bernard worked in Whitehall, didn’t he?
Parentheticals
A parenthetical is a complete sentence which is inserted ‘parenthetically’into another sentence. In writing, parentheticals are marked off from the main sentence by enclosing them in brackets or dashes:
The range of colours (most suppliers have 72) can include metallics, and both warm and cool greys.
Bugattis used similar technical layouts – merely bigger and grander, in all respects.
A parenthetical sentence has no grammatical connection with the main sentence. In speech, parentheticals are sometimes introduced by and:
There is a sense in which and Hogarth realized this satire is also a form of entertainment.
A sentential relative clause is introduced by the relative pronoun which.Sentential relatives are used to add a comment about what has just been said:
James took the early train, which was lucky for him.
Mary finally passed her exams, which was a relief to everyone.
John doesn’t want to meet Laura, which I can understand.
