Object clauses

Object clauses perform the function of an object to the predicate-verb of the principal clause.

I don't know what you are talking about.

An object clause may also refer to a non-finite form of the verb,

to an adjective, or to a word belonging to the part of speech expressing state.

I formed the habit of calling in on him in the evening to discuss what I had heard.

I ventured on asking why he was in such a hurry to get back to town.

Mr. Bruff folded up the will, and then looked my way apparently wondering whether I did or did not mean to leave him alone with my aunt.

Soames averted his eyes and became conscious that Winifred and he were alone.

They were not sure what the morrow would bring forth.

The poor girl is anxious that you should be at her wedding.

She was aware that someone else was there.

An object clause may be introduced by conjunctions that, if, whether, whether... or, lest, or connectives. The latter may be conjunctive pronouns who, whoever, what, whatever, which, or conjunctive adverbs (where, wherever, when, whenever, why, how, or asyndetically.

1. An object clause may directly follow the word it refers to (a non-prepositional object clause). In this case it is parallel in function to a direct object.

Jon wondered if he had offended her.

I know when I am wasting time.

A typical most recurrent type of object clauses is indirect speech following verbs of saying.

He said he had never heard of it.

He asked me if I wanted to stay.

Object clauses of this subtype are more informative than their main clauses, the role of the latter being relegated to that of introducing the source of information.

Like subject clauses, object clauses may be preceded by the formalit,usually after the verbs to feel, to believe, to consider, to find, to take, to like, to insist on, etc.

You may takeit that it is a genuine check.

I likeit when people are nice to me.

I insist uponit that you tell me all the details.

You are to see toit that there should be no quarrel.

An object clause may refer to formalit followed by the objective predicative after the verbs to think, to find, to make, to consider, etc.

I foundit strange that she could speak so calmly.

I thinkit necessary that you should go there at once.

He madeit clear that his intentions were honest.

2. Object clauses parallel in function to indirect objects are very rare. However, they are possible, the necessary condition for it being that the object clause should be followed by a direct object.

You may give whoever you like any presents.

3. There are also cases whenan object clause functions like a cognate object to a verb.

He and his mamma knew very few people and lived what might have been thought very lonely lives.

4. An object clause may be joined to the main clause by the prepositions after, about, before, beyond, for, near, of, as to, except, etc. (a prepositional object clause). In this case it is parallel in function to a prepositional non-recipient object. If a preposition is very closely attached to the preceding verb or adjective (to agree upon, to call for, to comment upon, to depend on, to hear of, to insist on, to be certain of, to be sorry for, etc.) it generally precedes the object clause.

I am not certain of what he did.

I want to be paid for what I do.

Some prepositions which would be indispensable before nounsor gerunds used as objects are not always necessary before object clauses.

We insisted that he should stay with us.

(We insisted on his staying with us.)

We agreed that the experiment should be stopped.

(We agreed upon stopping the experiment.)

The preposition is retained when there is a formal objectit followed by an object clause.

We insistedon it that he should stay with us.

We agreedupon it that the experiment should be stopped.

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Predicative clauses	\|	Attributive clauses

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