Quote:
Remember this : Relative clause always postmodifies a noun or a noun phrase (and only marginally other clause).It is always embedded part of a noun phrase.In this case those two clauses postmodify the noun phrase "a built-in mechanism" or if you like it more,the noun "mechanism".The head of a noun phrase is(virtualy always): (if it is) premodified with an adjective or/and noun and (if it is) postmodified with a relative clause. A relative clause is not so straightforward modifier because of its length and the fact that it has its own subject and object. And that is why you left it out of the direct object.And it is labeled also as an adjective clause but personally I prefer "relative clause" for the sake of clarity in the terminology.As you see,in the third sentence the noun head "mechanism" is premodified with two adjectives (new, built-in),but also with the noun "language" and you will not label that noun i.e "adjectival noun".Similarly,"adjectival" doesn't seem apropriate label for the relative clause.This "relative" indicate that this clause relate to i.e refer back to some noun head.As a conclusion: a noun can be modified with an adjective, noun or a relative clause. The noun head along with its modifiers makes a noun phrase. |
Velimir,
I tried and tried to understand your explanation, but I just can't seem to get it.
I do know that my grammar books state that noun clauses can start with indefinite relative adjectives, and indefinite relative pronouns.
that children have a built-in mechanism, which he called the Language Acquisition Device, or LAD, which pre-programs them to develop grammar based on the linguistic input they receive.
so, then the whole thing is the noun clause, I have no problem with that, since a noun clause by definition includes all its modifiers, and in this example it would be the three relative clauses inside it. (Which....LAD, Which...grammar, and the elliptical 'that' they receive. oh and the past-participial phrase based...input.)
Can't it be looked at like that?
Thanks,
Donna
please keep it simple stupid for me to understand.