Content clause

A content clause is not a relative clause.

Under CGEL they are distinct clause types with different functions, heads, and syntactic behavior.

Definition

A subordinate clause functioning as a complement (or sometimes subject).

It does not modify an NP.

It has no antecedent.

Typically headed by a complementizer (that, whether, if) or is bare.

Examples

> She believes that he is honest

→ that he is honest = content clause, complement of believes

> That she resigned surprised everyone

→ content clause functioning as subject

Key properties:

Replaces an NP (She believes this).

No gap linked to an antecedent.

Not paraphrasable as an NP modifier.

As subject

Whether he will come is uncertain.

> Whether he will come = content clause, subject of is uncertain

is = copular verb

uncertain = predicative complement

Key points:

• In subject function, content clauses are extra-posed only optionally

• It surprised everyone that she resigned (extra-posed subject)

• The complementizer (that, whether) remains the head of the clause.