Nominal clauses in english and their vietnamese equivalents=mệnh đề danh ngữ trong tiếng anh và các cấu trúc tương đương trong tiếng việt

In fact, these twothat – clauses are of absolutely different types: “that – clause” in the firstsentence is relative clause but “that – clause” in the second sentence is nominalclause fu

VINH UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

==== ?&@====

NOMINAL CLAUSES IN ENGLISH AND THEIR VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS

(MỆNH ĐỀ DANH NGỮ TRONG TIẾNG ANH VÀ CÁC CẤU TRÚC

TƯƠNG ĐƯƠNG TRONG TIẾNG VIỆT)

GRADUATION THESIS

FIELD: LINGUISTICS

Supervisor: CAO THỊ PHƯƠNG, M.A.

Student: NGUYỄN NHƯ HUỆ Class: 47A - English

VINH, 2010

Acknowledgements

For the accomplishment of this study, we have received a great deal ofsupport and assistance from many dedicated individuals.

First of all, I would like to express my thanks to the Directorial Board of the ForeignLanguages Department which awarded me an opportunity to do this thesis

Secondly, I would like to express my faithful and deepest thanks to my

supervisor, Mrs Cao Thi Phuong (M.A.), for her useful references, excellent

advices and readiness during my study process

Thirdly, I want to show my gratitude to all teachers of Foreign LanguagesDepartment who gave me useful advices and critical comments for the study

My deepest thanks are for my beloved family and my friends who alwaysstand by my side and encourage me from my preparation until the completion ofthis study

Thank you to all!

Vinh, May 2010 NguyÔn Nh HuÖ

List of Abbreviations

A: AdverbAdj: AdjectiveCo: Object ComplementCs: Subject ComplementEg: Example

Od: Direct Object

Oi: Indirect ObjectS: Subject

V: Verb

Abstract

The importance of nominal clauses in English and their Vietnameseequivalents in language teaching and learning has stimulated the author on thisstudy When study English nominal clauses, we have to have a thoroughunderstanding of them as well as their sub – types and functions In this thesis, theauthor gives the background knowledge about sentences, clauses, sub – types ofclauses, especially nominal clauses and their functions in chapter I In chapter II, theauthor discusses about nominal clauses in English and their Vietnamese equivalents,their similarities and differences In addition, the study also gives out somemeasures and suggested exercises to help students master English nominal clausesand use them correctly

Table of contents

Acknowledgements i

List of abbreviations ii

Abstract iii

Table of contents iv

Part a: introduction 1

1 Reasons for choosing the study 1

2 Aims of the study 1

3 Research questions 2

4 Scope of the study 2

5 Methods of the study 2

6 Design of the study 2

Part b: Investigation 4

Chapter I: Theoretical background 4

1.1 Sentence 4

1.1.1 Definition of sentence 4

1.1.2 Structure of sentence 5

1.1.3 Types of sentence 5

1.2 Clause 6

1.2.1 Definition of clause 6

1.2.2 Elements of clause 7

1.2.3 Classifications of clause 9

1.2.3.1 Independent clauses 9

1.2.3.2 Dependent clauses 9

1.2.4 Functions of dependent clauses 11

1.3 Nominal clauses in English 12

1.3.1 Definition of nominal clauses 12

1.3.2 Categories of nominal clauses 14

Chapter II: Nominal clauses in English and their Vietnamese equivalents 16

2.1 That nominal clauses 16

2.1.1 That nominal clauses as subject 16

2.1.2 That nominal clauses as direct object 19

2.1.3 That nominal clauses as subject complement 21

2.1.4 That nominal clauses as adjectival complement 22

2.1.5 That nominal clauses as appositive 22

2.2 The dependent interrogative clauses 23

2.2.1 Wh – interrogative nominal clauses 24

2.2.1.1 Wh – interrogative clauses as subject 25

2.2.1.2 Wh – interrogative clauses as direct object 25

2.2.1.3 Wh – interrogative clauses as subject complement 28

2.2.1.4 Wh – interrogative clauses as adjectival complement 29

2.2.1.5 Wh – interrogative clauses as appositive 29

2.2.1.6 Wh – interrogative clauses as prepositional complement 30

2.2.2 Yes – no interrogative clauses 31

2.2.2.1 Yes – no interrogative clauses as subject 32

2.2.2.2 Yes – no interrogative clauses as direct object 32

2.2.2.3 Yes – no interrogative clauses as subject complement 33

2.2.2.4 Yes – no interrogative clauses as adjectival complement 33

2.2.2.5 Yes – no interrogative clauses as appositive 34

2.2.2.6 Yes – no interrogative clauses as prepositional complement 34

2.3 Nominal relative clauses 34

2.3.1 Nominal relative clauses as subject 35

2.3.2 Nominal relative clauses as direct object 37

2.3.3 Nominal relative clauses as indirect object 38

2.3.4 Nominal relative clauses as subject complement 39

2.3.5 Nominal relative clauses as object complement 40

2.3.6 Nominal relative clauses as prepositional complement 40

2.3.7 Nominal relative clauses as appositive 41

2.4 Nominal to – infinitive clauses 42

2.4.1 Nominal to – infinitive clauses as subject 42

2.4.2 Nominal to – infinitive clauses as direct object 43

2.4.3 Nominal to – infinitive clauses as subject complement 43

2.4.4 Nominal to – infinitive clauses as adjectival complement 43

2.4.5.Nominal to – infinitive clauses as appositive 44

2.5 Nominal –ing clauses 44

2.5.1 Nominal –ing clauses as subject 45

2.5.2 Nominal –ing clauses as direct object 45

2.5.3 Nominal –ing clauses as subject complement 45

2.5.4 Nominal –ing clauses as appositive 46

2.5.5 Nominal –ing clauses as prepositional complement 46

2.5.6 Nominal –ing clauses as adjectival complement 46

2.6 Nominal bare infinitive and verbless clauses 46

Chapter III: Some errors made by Vietnamese students suggestions for teaching English nominal clauses 48

3.1 Predictions of errors made by Vietnamese students when learning English nominal clauses 48

3.1.1 Inversion between subject and verb in nominal interrogative clauses 48

3.1.2 Subject and verb disagreement 49

3.1.3 Misuse of “whether” and “if” in yes – no interrogative clauses 49

3.1.4 Omission of “that” in that – clauses functioning as subject 49

3.1.5 Unsuitable change from quoted speech to reported speech 50

3.2 Some actual errors that Vietnamese learners commit when learning English nominal clauses 51

3.2.1 Inversion between subject and verb in nominal interrogative clauses 51

3.2.2 Subject and verb disagreement 52

3.2.3 Misuse of “whether” and “if” in yes – no interrogative clauses 52

3.2.4 Omission of “that” in that – clauses functioning as subject 53

3.2.5 Unsuitable change from quoted speech to reported speech 54

3.3 Some suggestions for teaching English nominal clauses 55

Part c: conclusion 58 References

Appendix

part a: Introduction

I Reasons for Choosing the Study

Nowadays English has become an international language It plays an importantrole at enhancing the solidarity among the countries all over the world and it is alsoused in every field of society Realizing its importance, most of Vietnamese schoolschoose it to be one of the obligatory subjects However, learning English as aforeign language brings learners certain problems, especially with Englishconstruction In this study, we choose the topic: “Nominal clauses in English andtheir Vietnamese equivalents” for the following reasons:

Firstly, nominal clauses play an important role in both spoken and writtenEnglish However, they are not easy to use and are one of the most difficult Englishgrammatical phenomenons, especially, with their sub - types and their functions.Secondly, because of their difficulties, students often make mistakes or commiterrors when using English nominal clauses Sometimes they cannot realize whatnominal clauses are and what functions they are acting

For example, they may think “that – clauses” in these two followingsentences:

“1 The news that you told me is not true.

2 The news, that he has left home, is not true.”

are of the same type, that is, relative clause (or adjectival clause) In fact, these twothat – clauses are of absolutely different types: “that – clause” in the firstsentence is relative clause but “that – clause” in the second sentence is nominalclause functioning as appositive

Thirdly, being a student of English and a teacher of English in the future, weshould do something to help our students overcome these confusions so that theycan use English nominal clause in an excellent way with as few error as possible.Finally, there has been no research on English nominal clauses and theirVietnamese equivalents and the ways to help learners overcome the confusion untilrecent years

II Aims of the Study

Nominal clauses in English and their Vietnamese equivalents are acomplicated problem, causing confusion for Vietnamese students who learn English

as a foreign language Thus, we would like to give an over view about this type ofclause in the two languages so that we can understand it and find it easy in learningprocess Our study is aimed at:

- Giving the description of English nominal clauses and their Vietnameseequivalents

- Illustrating the differences and similarities of nominal clauses in these twolanguages

- Offering suggestions for teaching English nominal clauses to Vietnamese students

III Research Questions

This study tries to find out the answers for the following questions:

1 What is a nominal clause?

2 What is the classification of English nominal clauses and the features of eachsub – type?

3 What are the differences and similarities between English nominal clausesand their Vietnamese equivalents?

4 What are predicted errors Vietnamese students may commit when learningEnglish nominal clauses?

5 What are suggestions to the teaching of English nominal clauses?

IV Scope of the Study

This thesis is about English nominal clauses, their sub – types and functions

of each type Moreover, we concentrate on giving examples of nominal clauses inEnglish and their Vietnamese equivalents Finally, we will offer Vietnameselearners some suggestions to overcome errors in using English nominal clauses

V Methods of the Study

1 Descriptive method

2 Comparative and contrastive method

3 Analytic and statistical method

VI Design of the Study

The study is developed in three main parts:

Part A: Introduction:

1 Reason for choosing the study

2 Aims of the study

3 Research questions

4 Scope of the study

5 Method of the study

6 Design of the study

Part B: Investigation:

Chapter I: Theoretical Background

Chapter II: Nominal clauses in English and their Vietnamese equivalents

Chapter III: Some errors made by Vietnamese students and suggestions toteaching English nominal clauses

Part C: Conclusion

Part B: Investigation Chapter I: Theoretical background

1.1.1 Definition of sentence

So far there have been a lot of concepts about sentence Many people believe

that a sentence simply begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop In fact,

the term sentence is more complicated than they expected.

The traditional grammars defined sentence is the minimum part of language

that expresses a complete thought, and certainly some sense of completeness isessential to it They also considered a sentence as a group of words (composed ofwords), or even one word which conveys a complete and self – contained message

A linguistic definition of sentence must be in terms of its internal structure A

sentence will be composed of certain specified elements in a certain order,

ultimately, of course, of word, or parts of word

In addition, Bloomfied defined a sentence as “an independent linguistic form,not included by virtue of any grammatical construction in any larger linguisticform” He considered the example: “How are you? It’s a fine day Are you going toplay tennis this afternoon?” as three separate units, that is to say, three sentences.(Palmer, 1994: 68)

Moreover, Tuyet extracted on her graduation thesis (2008) the Oshima –Ann Hogue’s definition of sentence as: “A sentence is a group of words that you use

to communicate your idea in your writing or in speech It is a complete, independentunit of thought and consists of two main parts: a subject and a predicate.”

According to Leech and Svartvick (1992: 208), “Sentences are units made up

of one or more clauses Sentences containing just one clause are called simple, andsentences that containing more than one clause are called complex” In this thesis,the author will follow these two authors’ definition of sentence

1.1.2 Structure of Sentence

A sentence usually consists of two main parts: Subject and Predicate TheSubject is the person, place, thing, or idea doing on being something The Predicatecomplete the thought of the sentence It is usually the verbs that tell what the person,place, thing, or idea is doing or being In other words, Quirk et al (1972) said that

“the subject of the sentence has a close general relation” to “what is discussed”, “thetheme” of the sentence with the normal implication that something new “Thepredicate” is being said about a “subject” that has already been introduced in anearlier sentence The predicate is rather a “complex and heterogeneous” unit They

divided it into auxiliary as operator and predication as follows:

Sentence Subject predicate

auxiliary predication

as operator Eg: She has visited Ho Chi Minh City twice

1.1.3 Types of Sentence

One traditional scheme for classifying English sentences is by the number oftypes of finite clauses According to structure, there are usually four main types ofsentence: simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence and compound –complex sentence.

& The simple sentence: contains a single independent clause It may contain acompound subject or a compound predicate or both It may also containcomplements and modifiers, but it does not contain any dependent clause

Eg:- The dog jumps

- My sister and I went to Hanoi and brought home many souvenirs

compound subject compound predicate

&The compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses with nodependent clauses These clauses are joined together by a coordinating conjunction.They may also be formed with a semicolon

Eg: The weatherman said that it will not rain today, but I will bring an

independent clause independent clauseumbrella to school anyway

(Frost,2003: 71)

&The complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or moredependent clause

Eg: When Pat is twenty – one year old, he began to work in a small

dependent clause independent clauseoffice in a city

(Hill, 2003: 75)

&The compound – complex sentence contains two or more independentclauses and one or more dependent clauses

Eg: Catherine finished typing her report before the deadline, but she

dependent clause independent clauselost the file when her computer crashed

independent dependent clause

clause

(Frost, 2003: 71)

1.2.1 Definition of Clauses

A clause is a part of a sentence that usually consists of a subject and apredicate of its own

Traditional grammars defined clauses which are “sentences that are part of

larger sentences” This definition is strictly, self – contradictory, but it stillindicates what is meant, and illustrates a very important characteristic of natural

languages They considered the term sentences as the “larger’ or “maximal” sentences and clauses as the “minimal’ sentences (Palmer (1994:71)).

According to Leech and Svartvick (1992), clauses are “the principalstructures of which sentences are composed” They also indicate three importantways in which clauses may be described and classified:

1) In terms of the clause elements (subject, verb, etc.) from which they areconstructed, and the verb patterns which are formed from these elements

2) In terms of the amount of use which a clause makes of verb phrasestructure Based on this, they distinguish between finite clauses, non – finiteclauses and verbless clauses

3) In terms of clause function, that is to say, the function of a clause performs

in a sentence, such as: nominal clause (acting as a noun phrase) and adverbial clause(acting as adverbial element), etc

1.2.2 Elements of Clauses

There are five elements that can be part of a clause: subject(S), verb(V),object(O), complement(C), and adverbial(A) Concentrating on those elements thatare normally obligatory, Quirk et al (1972: 343) distinguished seven clause patterns

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 274)

We have proved him wrong

S V Oi Od

(Hill, 2003: 176)John paid the jugde one hundred fifty dollars

The traditional grammars described the dependent clause as “subordinationand being embedded within another (the main clause)

Eg: I hate him  Independent clause

because I hate him  Dependent clause

An independent clause is a clause “that can stand alone as a sentence” (Böu,(1994: 35)) It is a group of words that has a subject and a finite verb

Eg: He kept on working though he was not well

Independent clause

I heard the story again when I went to college in India

Independent clause

(ViÖt & TuÊn, 1990: 54)

A dependent clause is a clause “that cannot stand alone as a sentence” (Böu,(1994: 35)) It is usually connected with the main clause by a relative pronoun or

subordinator such as: who, whom, which, what, where, when, whether, if, that,

because, as, etc A dependent clause can be divided into dependent finite clause, dependent non – finite clause and verbless clause.

& Dependent finite clause is a clause which is introduced with a subordinator

and contains a finite verb phrase

Eg: He learned that the other doorman had seen it.

(E Corley, 212)

& Dependent non – finite clause is a clause whose verb element is a non –finite verb phrase and it can be constructed without a subject The four classes ofnon – finite verbal construction serve to distinguish four classes of non – finiteclause:

Infinitive with “to”:

Eg: The best thing would be to tell him the truth

dependent non – finite infinitive clause

(Quirk & Greenbaum, 1976: 187)

 Infinitive without “to”:

Eg: The teacher made his father go away.

dependent non – finite infinitive clause

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 260)

Ing – clause:

Eg: Winning or loosing is not important.

dependent non – finite –ing clause

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 250)

Ed – clause:

Eg: Blamed for having broken the vase, she was very angry.

dependent non – finite –ed clause

& Verbless clause: is a clause which contains no verb element, and often also

no subject It is usually assumed that the form of the omitted verb is the verb “tobe”

Eg: Whenever in trouble, Bill rang his girl – friend.

verbless clause

(Http://grammar.about.com/od/tz/g/verblessclauseterm.html)

1.2.4 Functions of Dependent Clauses

Dependent clause may function as subject, object, complement, or adverbial

in the superordinate clause:

 Subject (S):

Eg: What I saw seemed familiar to me.

dependent finite clause as S

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 244)

 Direct object (Od):

Eg: I can understand why he did it.

dependent finite clause as Od

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 246)

 Indirect object (Oi):

Eg: She gave whoever she met this piece of paper.

dependent finite clause as Oi

 Subject complement (Cs):

Eg: The question is how to change this idea.

dependent non - finite clause as Cs

 Object complement (Co):

Eg: The Prime Minister will appoint someone who has real ability.

dependent finite clause as Co

 Disjunct:

Eg: I was off duty, strictly speaking.

dependent non - finite clause as disjunct

(Quirk & Greenbaum, workbook, 1976: 77)

 Adjunct:

Eg: When we met, I shall explain everything.

dependent finite clause as adjunct

Eg: A friend who remains loyal is the real one.

The problem to be solved is money.

 Prepositional complement:

Eg: My decision will depend on whether it costs too much

(Quirk & Greenbaum, workbook, 1976: 98)

 Adjectival complement:

Eg: He was sure he had imagined it (Rowling, 2002: 696)

In terms of function, Leech and Svartvick (1992: 215) further dividedependent clauses into categories such as: nominal clauses, adverbial clauses,relative clauses, etc In which, the nominal clauses can function as subject, object,complement, prepositional complement, adjectival complement and appositive Theadverbial clauses are considered as modifying the verbs of the main clauses orsometime as modifier of the entire sentence Whereas, the relative clauses (oradjectival clauses) modify a preceding noun or pronoun

In this study, we only mention about the nominal clauses in order tounderstand more about their functions and to use them appropriately

1.3.1 Definition of Nominal Clauses

Nominal clause or noun clause is one category of dependent clause Quirk et

al (1972: 732) stated that nominal clauses have functions of a noun phrase Just asnoun phrases may act as subject, object, complement, appositive, adjectivalcomplement and prepositional complement in a clause, hence every nominal clausemay act in some or all of these roles

Nominal clauses are usually connected with the main clause by that, if,

whether, whom, which, what, when, where, why, how, etc (noticing that the

meanings of these words are different when they are used to connect adjectival andadverbial clauses) One common use of nominal clauses is the object in reportedspeech Below are common functions of nominal clauses:

o Subject (S):

Eg: That the spacecraft were too big was maintained by many critics.

S

(Http://www encyclopedia.com/doc/1209_clause.html)

o Direct object (Od):

Eg: Adam could not believe what he heard.

Od

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 28)

o Indirect object (Oi):

Eg: He gave whoever came into the door a winning smile.

o Object complement (Co):

Eg: You can call me whatever you like.

Co

o Appositive:

Eg: The question, where my husband was last night, has not been

appositiveanswered yet

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 36)

In order to check whether a clause is a nominal clause or not, we can substitute it with an

appropriate pronoun such as: he, she, it, or them For instance: “Whoever said it is wrong.”

We can substitute Whoever said it“ ” with he“ ” or she“ ”, therefore we have

sentence: He/ She is wrong.“ ”

1.3.2 Categories of Nominal Clauses

According to Quirk et al (1972: 734), nominal clauses are classified into five majorcategories: the That – clause (or dependent declarative clause); the dependent interrogativeclause; the nominal relative clause; the to – infinitive clause; and the –ing clause

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 108)

The dependent interrogative clause consists of two main sub – types: “wh– interrogative” clause and “yes – no interrogative” clause.

 Yes – no interrogative clause:

Eg: The question is whether he is able to do that job.

Cs

(ý, 97)

He wasn’t sure if this wonderful smell came from the flowers or

adjectival complement

from her breath.

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 154)

1.3.2.3 Nominal relative clauses

The nominal relative clause is also introduced by a wh – element

Eg: I’ll do whatever I want.

Od

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 34)

What he looking for is a wife.

S

(Quirk et al, 1972: 737)

Eg: He likes everyone to be happy.

Od

(Quirk et al, 1972: 739)

Eg: Looking after the garden takes me several hours a week in the summer.

(www encyclopedia.com/doc/1209_clause.html)The two minor types of nominal clause which we must briefly consider are:

the bare infinitive clause (without to) and the nominal verbless clause.

The to of the infinitive is optionally omitted in a clause which, as complement, expands the meaning of the verb do.

Eg: All I could do was (to) sit and look at her in class.

(Nguyet & Tien, 2009: 168)

In addition, the category of a verbless nominal clause is required to accountfor a type of subject which, although superficially a noun phrase, has some of thestructural as well as semantic characteristics of a clause.

Eg: A friend in need is a friend indeed (Proverb)

Chapter II: Nominal clauses in English and their

Vietnamese equivalents

As we have mentioned in 1.3, nominal clauses consist of five majorcategories: That – clause, dependent interrogative clause, nominal relative clause,nominal to – infinitive clause and –ing clause Nominal clause can also function

as subject, object, complement and appositive Can the categories of nominalclauses act all of these functions? And how are they expressed in Vietnamese? Weare going to supply the answers to these questions by investigating each category, itsfunctions and equivalents in Vietnamese

2.1 That Nominal Clauses

A nominal clause, which begins with that, is so called that – nominal clause (that – clause) That clause can occur as Subject, Direct object, Subject

complement, Appositive and Adjectival complement However, it cannot occur as

Prepositional complement or as Object complement When the that - clause acting object or complement, the conjunction that is frequently omitted in informal use, leaving a zero – that clause For example:

Harry thought (that) he was having a heart attack (Rowling, 2002: 496)

When that clauses function as Subject, they can be placed at the beginning ofthe sentence or in the following patterns:

Pattern 1:

- That the price will go up is certain (Böu, 1994: 42)

ViÖc gi¸ c¶ sÏ t¨ng lªn lµ ch¾c ch¾n råi (Böu, 1994: 42)

- That his insistence that the scar is still hurting is an expression of his deep

– seated confusion (Rowling, 2002: 612)

Cái sự khăng khăng rằng cái thẹo vẫn còn đau là một cách bộc lộ sự rối

loạn ngấm ngầm của cậu bé này (L Lan, 2007: 710)

In this pattern, the conjunction “that ” has similar meaning with việc “the fact that….” ” or cái

“the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese But sometimes the meaning of “that” is ignored when being

expressed in Vietnamese

Eg: That he will refuse the offer seems unlikely (ý, 1980: 185)

In Vietnamese, we say: “Không có vẻ anh ta sẽ từ chối lời mời.” (ý, 1980: 185)

However, when functioning as Subject of the sentence, that clauses are rarelyused at the beginning of sentence Instead, we often use “It” as an anticipatorysubject in order to substitute the position of that – clause Therefore, we have thefollowing pattern:

Pattern 2:

It + to be/ seem/ appear … + adjective + that – clause + adjective + that clause – clause

From this pattern, instead of saying:

That the price will go up is certain (Bửu, 1994: 42)

We often say: It is certain that the price will go up (Bửu, 1994: 42)

(Chắc chắn là giá cả sẽ tăng lên (Bửu,42))

Or: - It is true that Snape had saved his live once (Rowling, 2002: 480)

Đúng là thầy Snape đã từng cứu mạng nó một lần ( Lan, 2007: 556)

In this sentence, “It” is only formal subject, the real subject of the verb

“was” is “that Snape had saved his live once.”

- It is certainly true that the average woman has weaker muscle than the

average man (Sơn, 1996: 140)

Chắc chắn rằng một ngời đàn bà trung bình thờng yếu hơn một ngời đàn

ông trung bình (Sơn, 1996: 141)

- It seems strange that he can t understand this lesson’ (ý, 1980: 186)

Thật lạ là anh ta không thể hiểu đợc bài học này (ý, 1980: 186)

“That he can t understand this lesson’ ” is the subject of the verb seem “the fact that….” ” In

addition, there are some adjectives which need should + bare infinitive “the fact that….” ” in the that clause

– They are:

advisablebestbetterdesirableessential

fairjustgoodimportant

naturalnecessaryreasonablevital

Eg: - It is essential that everybody should know what to do (Bửu, 1994: 42)

Điều quan trọng là mọi ngời phải biết làm gì (Bửu, 1994: 42)

From the examples above, we realize that the conjunction that “the fact that….” ” in this

pattern has similar meaning with là “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

Moreover, that – nominal clause in English can also appear in:

Pattern 3:

It + be/ seem + (a) + noun + that - clause

The noun used here may be: mercy, miracle, nuisance, pity, relief, belief,

shame, wonder,etc that ” ” in this pattern can be omitted in English but it cannot be

in Vietnamese, and can also be expressed as là “the fact that….” ”.

Eg: - It’s a pity (that) they didn t get married’ (Bửu, 1994: 43)

Đáng tiếc là họ không lấy nhau (Bửu, 1994: 43)

- It’s my belief that we are all facing dark and difficult time.

(Rowling, 2002: 724)

Tôi tin là chúng ta đang đơng đầu với một thời kì khó khăn và tăm tối.

(Lan, 2007: 833)

In conclusion, that – clauses as subject can appear in different positions in

sentence However, that – clauses are commonly occur in pattern 2 and 3 rather

than in pattern 1 When they occur at the beginning of sentence, that “the fact that….” ” has similar

meaning with việc “the fact that….” ” or cái “the fact that….” ” and when in pattern 2 and 3, that “the fact that….” ” is equivalent with là

“the fact that….” ” or rằng “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

2.1.2 That Clauses as Direct Object – clause

The most common function of that clause is the direct object in sentence We

usually see that – clauses acting as direct object when changing statement (ordeclarative sentence) from direct speech into indirect one Indirect speech refers to using

that – nominal clauses to report what someone said For instance: He said (that) he “the fact that….” would help me.”, and the conjunction that “the fact that….” ” can be omitted in informal use.

That – clauses functioning as direct object often occur after the followingverbs:

explainfearfeelfind (wh)

mindnotice (wh)objectobserveorderpoint outpredictpreferpresume

requestreveal (wh)say (wh)see (wh)show (wh)state (wh)suggest (wh)supposesuspect

indicate (wh)insist

know (wh)learnmeanmention

pretendpromiseproposeprotestprove (wh)realize (wh)recognizerecommendregretremarkremember (wh)rely

report

swearteachthink (wh)tell (wh)threatenunderstand (wh)undertakeurgewarnwishwonderworrywrite

Figure 1

In Vietnamese, the conjunction that “the fact that….” ” usually has similar meaning with rằng

“the fact that….” ” or là “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

Eg: - The boy explained that he had met her at the college dance

(Việt & Tuấn, 1990: 6)

Anh giải thích rằng anh đã gặp cô ở vũ hội trờng đại học.

(Việt & Tuấn, 1990: 6)

- I do not deny that her information was invaluable (Rowling, 2002: 11)

Ta không chối rằng thông tin của mụ ta là không có giá trị

(Lan, 2007: 16)

- He decided that he had better let the family know what happened

(Việt & Tuấn, 1990: 10)

Ông quyết địng là nên để gia đình cô biết điều gì đã xảy ra thì hơn (Việt &

Tuấn, 1990: 11)

On the other hand, the meaning of that “the fact that….” ” is sometimes ignored when it is

expressed in Vietnamese

Eg: He noticed that it was a lot smaller than Dudley s’ (Rowling, 2002: 27)

Nó nhận thấy miếng bởi của nó nhỏ hơn miếng của Dudley rất nhiều.

(Lan, 2007: 32)

When that “the fact that….” ” is omitted in that clauses– in English, là “the fact that….” ” or rằng “the fact that….” ” can

also be omitted or can be used as usual

Eg: - I do hope you will allow us to take Harry to the match (Rowling, 2002: 30)

Tôi hy vọng ông bà sẽ cho phép chúng tôi đến đón Harry đi xem trận đấu.

(L Lan, 36)

Or: - I believe my plan will be effective (Rowling, 2002: 10)

Ta tin là kế hoạch của ta sẽ có hiệu quả (Lan, 2007: 15)

In English, the verbs: appear, happen, occur, seem, turn out “the fact that….” ” usually need

the subject It “the fact that….” ”.

Eg: - It now occurred to Harry that he had never actually heard Krum speak before.

(Rowling, 2002: 417)

Bỗng nhiên Harry chợt nhận ra là trớc đây nó cha từng thực sự nghe Krum nói

năng gì (Lan, 2007: 481)

- It seems that Hagrid did care (Rowling, 2002: 443)

Có vẻ nh lão Hagrid thì có bận tâm (Lan, 2007: 511)

- It turns out that Hagrid knew quite as much about unicorns as he did about

monsters (Rowling, 2002: 484)

Hoá ra là lão Hagrid am hiểu về bạch kì mã không kém gì về lũ quái vật (Lan,

2007: 560)

In conclusion, the conjunction “that” of that – clauses functioning as object

is used flexibly It has equivalent meanings with “rằng ” or là “the fact that….” ” or zero “the fact that….” ” in

Vietnamese

When that – clauses function as subject complement, they are usually

preceded by the verb to be “the fact that….” ”

- Your trouble is that you need to learn to relax (Hill, 2003: 247)

Vấn đề là ông phải học cách nghỉ ngơi (Hùng, 2003: 248)

- What surprised me was that he spoke English so well (Bửu, 1994: 39)

Điều làm tôi ngạc nhiên là nó nói Tiếng Anh hay quá (Bửu, 1994: 39)

- My problem is not that I can t hear, ’ but that I can t speak’ (Hill, 2003: 95)

Cái khó khăn của tôi không phải là không nghe đợc mà là không nói đợc (Hùng,

2003: 96)

The conjunction that of that – clause functioning as subject complement is

similar meaning with là “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

2.1.4 That Clauses as Adjectival Complement

That – clause functioning as adjectival complement when it follows anadjective in the sentence It is often preceded by these following adjectives:

afraidamused annoyedanxiousaware

consciousconvinceddelighteddeterminedeager

horrifiedimpatientpleasedproudsorry

Like that – clause functioning as direct object, that can be omitted in that

clause

– acting as adjectival complement

- He was delighted that no other paper had hold the story (Hill, 2003: 159)

Ông rất vui thích vì không có báo nào viết câu chuyện ấy (Hùng, 2003: 160)

- He was sure he had imagined it (Rowling, 2002: 696)

Nó chắc là mình chỉ tởng tợng mà thôi (Lan, 2007: 802)

- I’m afraid I don t understand you’ (Rowling, 2002: 278)

Tôi e rằng tôi không hiểu ông (Lan, 2007: 319)

- I am sorry that your brother is ill (Bửu, 1994: 40)

Tôi xin chia buồn việc em của bạn bị ốm (Bửu, 1994: 40)

From these examples above, we can show that the conjunction “that” of that

– clause acting as adjectival complement has similar meaning with “vì , là , ” “the fact that….” ” rằng

“the fact that….” ” or việc “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

2.1.5 That Clauses as Appositive – clause

A special use of nominal clauses is an appositive of a noun or noun phrase.They are usually located right after the noun or the noun phrase to make

the meaning of that noun or noun phrase more clearly

That – clauses functioning as appositive can follow some abstract nouns as:

allegation, announcement, discovery, belief, fact, fear, guarantee, hope, idea,

“the fact that….”

knowledge, promise, proposal, suggestion, report, rumor, suspicion, etc ”

Eg: - The announcement that a new airport was to be built nearby aroused

immediate position (Bửu, 1994: 44)

Cái thông báo là một phi trờng mới đợc xây cạnh đó đã gây nên sự phản đối

ngay tức khắc (Bửu, 1994: 44)

- The news that we are having a holliday tomorrow is not true (ý, 1980: 97) Thông tin nói rằng chúng ta đợc nghỉ ngày mai là không đúng (ý, 1980: 97)

Once again, the conjunction “that” is similar with “là ” and rằng “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

- A report that the area was dangerous was ignored by the residents (Bửu,

1994: 44)

Cái bản báo cáo nói rằng khu vực đang ở rất nguy hiểm không đợc các c dân

để ý tới (Bửu, 1994: 44)

We must notice, however, that that – nominal clauses as appositive is

different from that – adjectival clauses Adjectival clauses also begin with that “the fact that….” ”

and it has similar meaning with mà “the fact that….” ”, not là “the fact that….” ” or rằng “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese For

example:

- The news (that) you told me is not true (Adjectival clause)

Cái tin (mà) anh nói với tôi là không đúng

This sentence is different from:

- The news, that he has left home, is not true (That – nominal clause as

appositive)

Cái tin nói rằng anh ta đã rời nhà là không đúng (ý, 1980: 188)

2.2 The Dependent Interrogative Clause

The dependent interrogative clauses include two main subtypes: Wh “the fact that….” – interrogative” clauses and Yes no interrogative “the fact that….” – ” clauses.

The dependent wh – interrogative clauses occur in the whole range offunctions available to the that – nominal clauses In addition, they can act as

prepositional complement and usually begin with who, whom, which, what, where,

when, why and how.

We are going to deal with the meaning of “wh – elements” in “wh –interrogative” clauses in this part

 WHAT

- What caused the fire remains a mystery (Quirk & Greenbaum, workbook, 1976: 98) Cái gì đã gây ra vụ hoả hoạn vẫn còn là một bí ẩn.

- What he told her is still unknown.

Cha biết anh ta đã nói gì với cô ấy.

What

“the fact that….” ” has similar meaning with cái gì “the fact that….” ” and gì “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

 WHO

- Who broke the glass remained unknown (Quirk & Greenbaum, workbook, 1976: 98)

Ai đã làm vỡ cái cốc thì vẫn cha biết.

- Who is responsible for this failure is difficult to say (ý, 1980: 97)

Ai sẽ chịu trách nhiệm về thất bại này thì thật khó nói (ý, 1980: 97)

Who

“the fact that….” ” has similar meaning with ai “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

 WHOM: also has similar meaning with ai “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

- Whom he has got this golden ring from is unknown (ý, 1980: 97)

Không biết hắn ta lấy chiếc nhẫn vàng đó từ ai.

 Which: is similar with nào “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

- Which method they will apply is a difficult question (ý, 1980: 97)

Họ sẽ áp dụng phơng pháp nào là một câu hỏi khó (ý, 1980: 97)

 When

- When he will able to finish his homework is difficult to say (ý, 1980: 97)

Khi nào nó mới có thể làm xong bài tập về nhà thì thật khó nói (ý, 1980: 97)

When “the fact that….” ” has similar meaning with khi nào “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

- Why he has done this is difficult to say (ý, 1980: 97)

Tại sao anh ta làm việc này thì thật khó nói (ý, 1980: 97)

“Wh – interrogative” clause acting as subject begin with “why” has equivalentmeaning with “tại sao” in Vietnamese

 How

- How the book will be sold depends on its author (Quirk et al, 1972: 735)

Quyển sách này sẽ đợc bán nh thế nào còn phụ thuộc vào tác giả của nó.

- How he can answer these questions is difficult to say (ý, 1980: 97)

Anh ta có thể trả lời những câu hỏi này ra sao thì thật khó nói (ý, 1980: 97)

Wh – interrogative clauses acting as subject begin with how “the fact that….” ” has

equivalent meaning with nh “the fact that….” thế nào” or ra sao “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

Like that – nominal clauses acting as subject, we can use It “the fact that….” ” as

anticipatory subject in front of wh – interrogative clauses For example:

- It was hard to say who was receiving more admiration these days (Rowling, 2002:

“the fact that….” – ” clauses functioning as direct object may occur after the

verbs which have wh “the fact that….” ” in figure 1 The wh elements “the fact that….” – ” can be followed by

infinitives except for why “the fact that….” ”

 What

- Frank didn’t understand what was going on (Rowling, 2002: 13)

Lão Frank không hiểu chuyện gì đang xảy ra (Lan, 2007: 18)

- Harry didn’t know what to say (Rowling, 2002: 342)

Harry không biết phải nói gì (Lan, 2007: 393)

- Marry wonder what would happen next.

Marry phân vân không biết điều gì sẽ xảy ra sau đó (Việt & Tuấn, 1990: 19)

- Don’t you want to see what Percy s written?’ (Rowling, 2002: 549)

Cậu không muốn xem anh Percy viết cái gì hả? (Lan, 2007: 635)

Wh interrogative

“the fact that….” – ” clauses acting as direct object which begin with what “the fact that….” ” have

equivalent meaning with: chuyện gì , gì , điều gì “the fact that….” ” “the fact that….” ” “the fact that….” ”, and cái gì “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

- I don’t know whom he will invite to the dinner (ý, 1980: 94)

Tôi không biết anh ấy sẽ mời ai đén ăn cơm (ý, 1980: 94)

Wh interrogative

“the fact that….” – ” clauses acting as direct object which begin with whom “the fact that….” ”

have similar meaning with ai “the fact that….” ” in Vietnamese.

 Whose

- I don’t know whose book he is reading (ý, 1980: 94)

Tôi không biết anh ấy đang đọc cuốn sách của ai (ý, 1980: 94)

- I have to see which tap you turn on, Madam (Hill, 2003: 86)

Tôi phải nhìn xem cô mở vòi nớc nào, tha cô (Hùng, 2003: 87)

- Can you tell me which the shortest way to the station is? (ý, 1980: 187)

Anh làm ơn chỉ cho tôi đờng nào là đờng ngắn nhất tới ga? (ý, 1980: 187)

- She never knows when to keep her mouth shut (Rowling, 2002: 535)

Có bao giờ bà ta biết giữ mồm giữ miệng đâu (Lan, 2007: 617)

- Do you remember when Columbus discovered America? (Quirk & Greenbaum,

- I cannot see where she s got to’ (Rowling, 2002: 447)

Tôi không thể biết mụ ta đã đi đâu (Lan, 2007: 515)

- How do you know where he disapparated to? (Rowling, 2002: 525)

Làm sao cậu biết là ông độn thổ tàng hình tới chỗ nào chứ? (Lan, 2007: 606)

- Harry wondered where Karkaroff was now (Rowling, 2002: 720)

Harry tự hỏi giờ đây ông Karkaroff ở đâu (Lan, 2007: 830)

 Why

- Harry wondered why he hadn t spotted him at once’ (Rowling, 2002: 321)

Harry ngạc nhiên không hiểu tại sao nó không nhìn thấy lão ngay tức thì (Lan,

2007: 368)

 How

- I don’t know how it happened (Rowling, 2002: 285)

Tôi không biết chuyện đó xảy ra nh thế nào (Lan, 2007: 326)

- I wonder how you get into the school kitchens (Rowling, 2002: 320)

Mình đang tự hỏi làm thế nào cậu vô đợc nhà bếp của trờng (Lan, 2007: 367)

- Harry didn’t know how to explain what had just happened (Rowling, 2002: 274) Harry không biết làm sao giải thích đợc những gì mới xảy ra (Lan, 2007: 314)

- He wondered how angry Dumbledore would be if someone younger than

seventeen did find a way to get over the Age Line (Rowling, 2002: 257)

Nó tự hỏi không biết cụ Dumbledore sẽ bực mình tới cỡ nào nếu có một đứa cha

đến mời bảy dám vợt qua lằn tuổi (Lan, 2007: 298)

- Hermione asked him how his interview with Rita Skeeter had gone (Rowling,

2002: 390)

Hermione hỏi lão xem cuộc phỏng vấn giữa lão và cô Rita Skeeter ra sao (Lan,

2007: 448)

Wh interrogative

“ – ” clauses acting as direct object which begin with where,“

why, how” have following Vietnamese equivalents:

 Where: đâu; chỗ nào; ở đâu; chỗ“ ”

 Why: tại sao“ ”

 How: nh“ thế nào; thế nào; làm sao; cỡ nào; ra sao”

 WHO

- The question is who put it in (Rowling, 2002: 289)

Câu hỏi là ai đã ghi danh dùm bạn (Lan, 2007: 330)

 WHAT

- The problem is what we wil do there

Vấn đề là chúng ta sẽ làm gì ở đó.

 WHERE

- The question is where they have gone all the morning (ý, 1980: 97)

Câu hỏi là họ đã đi đâu suốt cả buổi sáng (ý, 1980: 97)