Adjective Complements

[fiona bramble]

Hi everyone,
I've been doing some research on adjective complements and most web-based info only presents adjective complements in predicate position. A text (Grammar Dimensions) that I have been using for years presents adjective complements in subject position as infinitive or gerund phrases and that-clauses as well as in predicate position. It also presents the dummy "it" subject with the adjective complement immediately following the adjective.

Despite the lack of web-based examples and info, can the subject-position adjective complement truly be considered an adjective complement? I appreciate any input you may have!

Fiona

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by fiona bramble

Hi everyone,
I've been doing some research on adjective complements and most web-based info only presents adjective complements in predicate position. A text (Grammar Dimensions) that I have been using for years presents adjective complements in subject position as infinitive or gerund phrases and that-clauses as well as in predicate position. It also presents the dummy "it" subject with the adjective complement immediately following the adjective.

Despite the lack of web-based examples and info, can the subject-position adjective complement truly be considered an adjective complement? I appreciate any input you may have!

Fiona

Which subject-based examples are you dealing with?

[fiona bramble]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Which subject-based examples are you dealing with?

Hi C,
Thanks for taking the time
The examples GD gives are:
a.Bulls being killed in bullfights seems brutal
b.For campers to pollute streams is irresponsible
c. It is important that she be punctual (with subjunctive)
d. That the blue whale is becoming extinct seems sad

F

[Casiopea]

Well, if the adjective complement is nominal, such as a that clause (c. and d.) or a for clause (b.) or a reduce relative clause (a. [That] bulls [are] being...), then yes, the adjective complement can modify its adjective on either side of the linking verb because it functions as a nominal. Like these,

a. Bulls being killed in bullfights seems brutal.
=> It seems brutal bulls being killed in bullfights.

b. For campers to pollute streams is irresponsible.
=> It is irresponsible for campers to pollute streams.

c. It is important that she be punctual.
=> That she be punctual is important.

d. That the blue whale is becoming extinct seems sad.
=> It seems sad that the blue whale is becoming extinct.

Does that help?

All the best.

[fiona bramble]

Thanks C; I already believed them to be adjective complements but was curious about the lack of reference out there to adjective complements in subject position...your comments and logic make me feel much more confident Thanks for that!
Just one more question though:
You referred to "a. Bulls being killed.." as a reduced relative clause when the text refers to it as a gerund (I also believe it to be a gerund). Thoughts? Plus, in my experience, a reduced relative clause only acts as a nominal if it is an appositive...is that not true? or do you have a different perspective?
Thanks again
Fiona

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by fiona bramble

You referred to "a. Bulls being killed.." as a reduced relative clause when the text refers to it as a gerund (I also believe it to be a gerund). Thoughts?

Yes. You're absolutely right. I was wrong. I was dealing with that and for clauses at the time, so I extend a., but, and as I see now, in haste. The result, of course, is at the cost of changing its meaning:

a. Bulls being killed seems...
=> That bulls are being killed seems...

The subject is not a reduced relative. How could it be? There's an internal subject, "bulls".

Thank you for pointing that out to me.

All the best.

[donnach]

Originally Posted by fiona bramble

Hi C,
Thanks for taking the time
The examples GD gives are:
a.Bulls being killed in bullfights seems brutal
b.For campers to pollute streams is irresponsible
c. It is important that she be punctual (with subjunctive)
d. That the blue whale is becoming extinct seems sad

F

My two questions:

1. Referring to the above examples, why can't the clause in d. ("That the blue whale is becoming extinct") just be a noun clause acting as subject?

2. Referring to the below comments, how can an adjective complement be nominal? Doesn't an adjective complement automatically = adverb?

3. Adjective complements confuse me.

Thank you,

Donna

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Well, if the adjective complement is nominal, such as a that clause (c. and d.) or a for clause (b.) or a reduce relative clause (a. [That] bulls [are] being...), then yes, the adjective complement can modify its adjective on either side of the linking verb because it functions as a nominal. Like these,

a. Bulls being killed in bullfights seems brutal.
=> It seems brutal bulls being killed in bullfights.

b. For campers to pollute streams is irresponsible.
=> It is irresponsible for campers to pollute streams.

c. It is important that she be punctual.
=> That she be punctual is important.

d. That the blue whale is becoming extinct seems sad.
=> It seems sad that the blue whale is becoming extinct.

Does that help?

All the best.