The Logic of Subordinate Clauses
Students may ask about the functions of some words in the sentences. The following key provides answers to the specific directions plus the rest of the analysis. 1. {At length}, they came down just [Adv. (Space) to "came" where a little spring bubbled {out of a hill side}]. | 2. Diamond's father had built him (IO) a bed (DO) {in the loft} {with boards} all {around it}, [Adv. (C/E - cause) to "in the loft" because there was so little room (PN) {in their own end} {of the coach house}]. | An argument can be made for adverbial to "had built." I would accept either answer, but it would be neat to have the class discuss it and then vote on which version they prefer.3. So [Adv. (Time) to "told" when Diamond went home [NuA],] he told his father (IO) all (DO) {about it}. | 4. He was very much afraid (PA) [Adv. (C/E - cause to "afraid" no one would hire him (DO) [Adv. (C/E - cause to "?" because he was such a little driver (PN) ]]. | The "that" is ellipsed. The "because" clause is ambiguous. It could go to "would hire," as I have marked it above, or it could go to "afraid."5. But [Adv. (C/E - condition) to "not" if this tree had been there], it would not have been blown (P) down. | There is no wind (PN) {in that country}. | 6. He felt quite safe (PA) [#1] , [Adv. (C/E - concession) to "felt" and/or "safe" though he knew [DO, ID that they were sweeping {with the speed} {of the wind} itself [#2] {toward the sea}!]] | One would expect that his knowledge of the speed would not have made him feel safe.7. But her hair fell all {over her face} [Adv. (Result) to "fell" and/or "all" (which modifies "over her face") so that he could not see it (DO)]. | 8. He recalled the whole adventure (DO) {of the night} [Adj. (ID) to "night" when he had gone out {with North Wind} and made her put him [#3] down {in a London street}]. | 9. So he read a little story (DO) {about the early bird} [Adj. (ID) to "bird" that caught the nice fat worm (DO) ]. | 10. She had known cripple Jim (DO) much longer [Adv. (Comparison) to "longer" than she had known Diamond (DO)]. | Note that it is a comparison of time.11. Diamond's mother could not help crying [#4] {over it} | but she came {into Diamond's room} [Adv. (C/E - purpose) to "came" and/or "into Diamond's room" so that the poor sick father should not hear it (DO)]. | 12. [Adv. (C/E - manner) to "knew" As if the clouds knew [DO, ID she had come]], they burst {into fresh thunderous light}. | The clouds' knowing is implied as the cause of their bursting as well as the manner.13. Nanny had been so happy (PA) [Adv. (Time) to "had been" since she left the hospital (DO) and had been living {with Diamond's family}] [Adv. (Result) to "so" that she did not think [DO, ID the country would make her any happier [#5] ]]. | Notes 2. "Itself" is an appositive to "wind." Technically, it is inside the prepositional phrase. See KISS Level 5.4 - Appositives. 3. "Her" is the subject and "him" is the direct object of the verbal (infinitive) "put." The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of "made." 4. Alternatively, "crying" can be explained as a verbal (gerund) that functions as the direct object of "could help." Note that the two main clauses are joined by "but" without a preceding comma. 5. "Her" is the subject and "happier" is the predicate adjective to the ellipsed verbal (infinitive) "to be." The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of "would make." |