CGEL clause types

In CGEL, clause types are classified by the complement structure selected by the predicator (i.e. by verb valency).

• Clause type is determined by complements only.

• Adjuncts do not affect clause type.

• Passive clauses preserve the same underlying clause type.

Intransitive clause

> She slept.

• Complements: none

• Structure: S + P

Monotransitive clause

> She read the book.

• Complements: one NP

• Structure: S + P + Obj

Ditransitive clause

> She gave him a book.

• Complements: two objects (usually NP + NP or NP + PP)

• Structure: S + P + Obj₁ + Obj₂

Copular clause

She became famous.

• Complements: predicative complement (NP, AdjP, PP, etc.)

• Structure: S + P + PredComp

Complex-transitive clause

They elected her president.

• Complements: object + predicative complement

• Structure: S + P + Obj + PredComp

Clause types summary table

Clause type	Complements selected by predicator	Structural pattern	Example
Intransitive	none	S + P	She slept.
Monotransitive	one NP object	S + P + Obj	She read the book.
Ditransitive	two objects (NP + NP / NP + PP)	S + P + Obj₁ + Obj₂	She gave him a book.
Copular	predicative complement (NP / AdjP / PP)	S + P + PredComp	She became famous.
Complex-transitive	object + predicative complement	S + P + Obj + PredComp	They elected her president.
Prepositional-complement	PP selected by the verb	S + P + PP	She relied on him.