noun clauses grammar 3 lecture 2 l. margo arnold, presenter, by: eman alkatheery
TRANSCRIPT
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Noun Clauses
A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as
a noun in a sentence. It is used as a subject, an object
of a verb, an object of a preposition, and a
complement (table 7.1. – p. 296).
Never separate a noun clause from the main clause
with commas or other punctuation marks since noun
clauses are part of main clauses.
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Noun Clauses Noun clauses come at the beginning of a sentence or after certain nouns, adjectives, and verbs such as:
Note Illustrate Explain Conclude Add
Exclaim Believe Ask Think Show
Wish Say Mention Hope Find
Estimate Indicate Remark Tell
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Types of Noun Clauses
1. That clauses.
It begins with (that).
Example: She thought that the exam was cancelled.
2. Subjunctive clauses.
It begins with (that). However, the verb of the noun clause is in the subjunctive mode.
Example: It is urgent that Ali submit the report today.
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Types of Noun Clauses
3. If/Whether clauses.
It begins with (if or whether).
Example: The teacher wants to know if the students understood the formula.
4. WH-Question clauses.
It begins with a question word e.g. where, what, who, when, or how.
Example: I don’t know who she is.
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Noun Clauses Examples:
Subject
That Ahmad can fly is unbelievable.
The story is unbelievable.
Object of a verb
People once believed that the world was flat.
They believed the story.
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Noun Clauses Examples:
Object of a preposition
I listened to what he said.
I listened to the story.
Complement
A major concern is how fast these changes are happening.
A major concern is the fast changes.
Practice 1, p. 297
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Clauses with thatA that clause can appear in different places:
1. After the independent clause verb:
The student hopes that his excuse will be accepted.
2. After some adjectives:
Example: glad, sad, happy, worried, sorry, …etc
The class was happy that the teacher cancelled the exam.
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Clauses with that
3. After some nouns:
Example: idea, theory, opinion, claim, fact, etc.
People didn’t believe the theory that the Earth revolves around the sun.
4. At the beginning of a sentence:
That Huda came late was predictable.
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Clauses with that
Examples:
I think that she is a good writer.
That Ahmad cheated in the exam was surprising.
That Nawal needs a job is obvious.
It is obvious that Nawal needs a job.
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Clauses with that
Examples:
That Sarah has no friends is a pity.
The teacher mentioned that China has a strong economy.
I am glad that my sister passed the math exam.
It did not surprise me that Huda was late.
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Clauses with that
Examples:
I believe that motherhood is a big responsibility.
That the sun rises from the east is a fact.
The fact that the Earth revolves around the sun was proven.
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Quotations vs. Reported Speech
Quotations are the exact words that a person has used to state something. They appear between quotation marks. In addition, quotations are preceded or followed by a comma.(Table 7.2., p. 299). We begin quotations with verbs such as say, tell, ask, wonder, remarked, stated, etc.
Example:
Susan said, “Chris is at work.”
“Chris is at work,” Susan said.
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Quotations vs. Reported SpeechQuoting more than one sentence:
“My brother is a student. He studies at KSU,” she said.
“My brother is a student,” she said. “He studies at KSU.”
Quoting a question or an exclamation:
She asked, ”When will you be here?”
”When will you be here?” she asked.
She said, “Watch out!”
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Quotations vs. Reported SpeechReported speech involves paraphrasing. You tell the same ideas but with different words. There is no need for commas or quotation marks. Also, some changes are required in reported speech. (Table 7.2., p. 299).
Example:
Susan said that Chris was at work.*
Susan said Chris was at work.* That is optional in the middle of this sentence
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Changes in Verb Tense with Reported Speech
If the verb in the main (independent) clause is in the
past, the verb in the noun clause (dependent clause)
is changed to one of the past tenses (Table 7.3., p. 299)
Quoted speech reported speech
“ I watch TV everyday.” She said she watched TV
everyday.
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Changes in Verb Tense with Reported Speech
Reported Speech Quoted Speech
Sarah said she was watching TV. “I am watching TV “.
She mentioned that Chris was at work. “Chris is at work”.
She added she hadn’t finished yet. “I haven’t finished yet”.
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Changes in Verb Tense with Reported Speech
Reported Speech Quoted Speech
He said he had watched TV. “ I have watched TV.”
She told me that she had gone home. “ I went home”.
Ali remarked that he was going to exercise. “I am going to exercise”.
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Changes in Verb Tense with Reported Speech
Exceptions:
In reporting technical or scientific facts, the present is generally used.
“The world is round”
The teacher said the world is round.
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Changes in Verb Tense with Reported Speech
Exceptions:
If the verb in the main clause is in the present or the future, the noun clause is not changed.
“ I watch TV every day”.
She says she watches TV every day.
She has said that she watches TV every day.
She will say that she watches TV every day.
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Changes in Modal Auxiliaries with Reported Speech
In reported speech, some modal auxiliaries are changed to the past. (Table 7.4 , p. 300)
She said that Ann could help Chris. “Ann can help Chris.”
She added John might help. “John may help.”
She said that James would help Chris. “James will help Chris.”
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Changes in Modal Auxiliaries with Reported Speech
She said that Ann had to help Chris. “ Ann must help Chris.”
Joe said that Susan must be tired. “Susan must be tired.”
Must:
When must expresses necessity, you change it to the past. However, when it expresses probability, it does not change.
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Changes in Modal Auxiliaries with Reported Speech
• If the modal auxiliary is already in the past, no changes are required.
Practice 2, p. 300
He said Alex could help. ‘Alex could help.”
He said Alex would help. ‘Alex would help.”
He said Alex should help. ‘Alex should help.”
He said Alex ought to help. ‘Alex ought to help.”
He said Alex could have helped. “Alex could have helped.”
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Changes in pronouns, adjectives, and adverbials with Reported Speech
You also have to change pronouns and demonstratives in reported speech. (Table 7.5 , p. 301).
“ I need your help.”
She said she needed my help.
“They need my help.”
She said that they needed her help.
“These pages need to be corrected.”
She said that those pages needed to be corrected.
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Changes in pronouns, adjectives, and adverbials with Reported Speech
“I am a computer programmer in San Francisco. I grew up in India. I helped design several web sites. My hobbies are reading and swimming.”
Molly said that she was a computer designer in San Francisco, but she had grown up in India. She had helped design several web sites. She added that her hobbies were reading and swimming.
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Changes in pronouns, adjectives, and adverbials with Reported Speech
Time and place expressions may also change.
(Table 7.5 , p. 301)
“We need the work now.”
She said that they needed the work then.
“We will need the other pages tomorrow.”
She added that they would need the other pages the following day.
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Changes in pronouns, adjectives, and adverbials with Reported Speech
Directional and time-related verbs may also change according to when and where the reported speech occurs. (Table 7.5 , p. 301)
“You should bring them here when you come to work.”
He said that I should take them there when I went to work.
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Changing Commands to Reported Speech
To change a direct command to a reported statement, an appropriate subject and modal must be added e.g. should.
(Table 7.6, p. 301).
My manager told me that I should finish my report by 10.
“Finish your report by 10.”
My manager said that I should be sure to proofread it.
“Be sure to proofread it.”
The teacher added that I should make ten copies. “Make ten copies.”
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Changing Commands to Reported Speech
Other modals can be used in reported commands depending on the strength of the command e,g. must, have to, need to, …etc.
Practice 3 – p. 302
My mother said that I should stop it.
“Stop it!”
My mother said that I had to clean my room.
“Clean your room.”
Dad told me that I had to limit my time on the internet.
“Limit your time on the internet”.
Clauses with Embedded Questions
Information questions can be used as
noun clauses. Questions words such as what,
when, why, … are used to begin such clauses.
The subject precedes the verb like in
statements. Auxiliary verbs added to form the
questions are not used in forming noun
clauses. (Table 7.7 , p. 305)
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Clauses with Embedded Questions
I don’t know where she lives.
Where does she live?
I couldn’t hear what he said.
What did he say?
She wants to know how much I’ll make.
How much will you make?
She wondered how old Salma is.
How old is Salma?
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Clauses with Embedded Questions
Do you know what time it is? What time is it?
I don’t know what time it is.What time is it?
Do you remember where the lecture is?
Where is the lecture?
I am not sure where the lecture is.
Where is the lecture?
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Clauses with Embedded Questions
Practice 1, p. 306
What she said surprised me. What did she say?
Do you know when they arrive?
When do they arrive?
Do you know whose pen this is?
Whose pen is this?
Can you tell me which one you want?
Which one do you want?
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Clauses with Embedded QuestionsExercise:
Combine the two clauses into one sentence using a noun clause:
1. Where is the bank? Could you tell me
2. What time does the next bus come? Can you tell me
3. Where did Sara go last night? Do you know
4. Where is the nearest super market? Do you know
5. How do you make a noun clause? Could you explain
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Clauses with Embedded Questions
• Answers:
1. Could you tell me where the bank is?
2. Can you tell me what time the next bus comes?
3. Do you know where Sara went last night?
4. Do you know where the nearest super market is?
5. Could you explain how you make a noun clause?
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Clauses with Embedded Questions
P. 305 table 7.7
Why did you leave your last job?
She asked me why I had left my last job.
The tense is changed because it is a reported question and the verb of the main clause is in the past.
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Clauses with if / whether
Yes/no questions can be used as
noun clauses. If / whether are used to
begin such clauses. The subject must come
before the verb. Auxiliary verbs added to
form the questions are not used in forming
noun clauses.
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Clauses with if / whether
• If is used in both conversational and formal
English. It implies that there is a yes/no
answer.
• Whether is used in formal English. It implies
choice among alternatives.
(Table 7.8 , p. 306)
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Clauses with if / whether
I want to know if they have any job openings.
Do they have any job openings?
Do you know if the manager is here now?
Is the manager here now?
I don’t know if she will come.
Will she come?
I asked if Hassan needed help.*
Does Hassan need help?
*It is a reported question. The tense is changed to the past
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Clauses with if / whether
Practice 2, p. 307
I want to know whether Nada should talk to the manager (or not).
Should Nada talk to the manager?
I would like to know whether she needs an appointment (or not).
Does she need an appointment?
Do you know whether she will come (or not) ?
Will she come?
I wonder whether (or not) he needs help.
Does he need help?
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Statement of urgency with that
The subjunctive mood is used to replace
commands. It is softer and less direct. The
subjunctive form is the simple form of the verb,
and modals are not used.
(Table 7.9. , p. 312)
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Statement of urgency with that
You put that, the subject, and the subjunctive after
these adjectives (adjectives of urgency):
Advisable Imperative Important
Vital Best Urgent Crucial
Necessary Desirable Essential
If the statement is negative, the word (not) comes
before the verb
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Statement of urgency with that
Practice 1, p. 312
It is crucial that you be on time. Be on time!
It is important that you not arrive late.
Don’t arrive late!
It is urgent that they discuss the matter.
Discuss the matter!
It is vital that she make a decision immediately.
Make a decision immediately!
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Statement of urgency with that
• Compare:
• It is predictable that Noura will come late.
• It is obvious that Ali needs a job.
• It is urgent that Ali get a job.
• It is important that Ahmad study for the exam.
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Statement of urgency with that• Exercise:• Change the following commands into statements of urgency by using the given adjectives.
• Crucial, important, urgent
• “Study for the exam, Ahmad.”• “Arrange the files alphabetically.”• “Wash your car.”
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Urgent Requests with that
The subjunctive is also used with noun clauses with
that after certain verbs of requests. This form of
request is formal and polite. The subjunctive form is
the simple form of the verb, and modals are not
used.
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Urgent Requests with that
You put that, the subject, and the subjunctive after
these verbs: (Table 7.10. , p. 313)
Advise* ask* command* require*
desire propose recommend
suggest
request urge* demand insist
*They can be followed by both subjunctives and infinitives.
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Urgent Requests with that
Practice 2, p. 313
The teacher demanded that students hand in the papers.
Hand in the papers.
I advise that she stay home with her children.
Stay home with your children.
The boss recommends that we be aware of problems.
Be aware of the problems.
The manager insists that workers be on time.
Be on time.
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Urgent Requests with that
My mother insisted that I not go to the party.
Don’t go to the party.
The doctor insists that every child get eight hours of sleep at night.
Get eight hours of sleep at night.
The union urged that the company forbid all forms of discrimination.
Forbid all forms of discrimination.
The union recommended that the company give one-month vacation.
Give one-month vacation.
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Urgent Requests with that
We asked the manager to attend the meeting.
Attend the meeting.
The doctor advised every child to get eight hours of sleep at night.
Get eight hours of sleep at night.
The union urged the company to forbid all forms of discrimination.
Forbid all forms of discrimination.
The union commanded the company to give one-month vacation.
Give one-month vacation.
* The infinitive is used as a form of reduction to the noun clause. It is used in informal English after these verbs: command, advise, ask, require, and urge.
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Urgent Requests with that
• Exercise:• Change the following commands into urgent requests by using the given verbs.
• demand, suggest, urge
• “Study for the exam, Ahmad.”• “Arrange the files alphabetically.”• “Wash your car.”
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Clauses as subjects of sentences.
A noun clause may be used as the subject of a sentence. It must begin with a connecting word (That, what, whether, if), and take a singular verb. (table 7.11, p. 317)
That he is a troublemaker is certain.
What he is known for is his mistakes.
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Clauses as subjects of sentences.
Whether they need the car seems uncertain.
Where I will be working concerns me because I
have no car.
What they do makes them popular.
That my children eat well is important to me.
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Clauses as subjects of sentences.
What she is doing bothers me.
Whether the manager decided to give me a raise or
not worries me.
That Harry is not happy was obvious.
Practice 1, p. 317
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Anticipatory it + Clauses with that
In some cases a noun clause ( the subject) comes at the end of the sentence, and (Anticipatory it ) comes at the beginning of the sentence. Anticipatory it + noun clause is common in conversational English. (table 7.12., p. 318)
Example:
That Salwa missed the exam is strange.
It is strange that Salwa missed the exam.
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Anticipatory it + Clauses with that
Example:
It is strange that Salwa missed the exam.
Remember:
Anticipatory it + adjectives of urgency are always followed by verbs in the subjunctive mood.
It is crucial that you be on time.
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Anticipatory it + Clauses with that
That Nawal needs a job is obvious.
It is obvious that Nawal needs a job.
That Huda comes late is predictable.
It is predictable that Huda comes late.
That Ali be on time is crucial.
It is crucial that Ali be on time.
Practice 3, p. 319
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Noun Clauses
PART FIVE:
REDUCTION OF NOUN CLAUSES TO INFINITIVE
PHRASES(PP. 321– 310)
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Reduction of Indirect Commands
Commands can be reduced to infinitive phrases in reported speech. (table 7.14., p. 325).
The verb (say) does not take a noun or pronoun as its object before the noun clause or the infinitive phrase.
However, the verb (tell) must take a noun or a pronoun as its object before the noun clause or the infinitive phrase.
Some verbs such as advise, urge, command, …. Follow the same pattern of verb (tell).
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Reduction of Indirect Commands
Infinitive phrase Reported command command
She said to stop it. She said that we should stop it.
Stop it!
She told us to finish the work.
She told us that we should finish the work.
Finish the work.
She told us to do a good job.
She told us that we should do a good job.
Do a good job.
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Reduction of Requests for Action
Yes / no questions are sometimes used as requests of action. (table 7.15., p. 325)
Could you help me?
If they are turned into noun clauses, they can be reduced into infinitive phrases. The object must be used with the infinitive phrase.
She asked (me) if I could help her.
She asked me to help her.
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Reduction of requests of Action
Infinitive phrase
Reported speech
Request of action
She asked me to help her.
She asked (me) if I could help her.
Could you help me?
She asked me to lend her 5$.
She asked (me) if I could lend her 5$.
Could you lend me 5$?
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Reduction of Requests for Permission
Yes / no questions are sometimes used as requests for permission. (table 7.15., p. 325)
Could I take your pen?
If they are turned into noun clauses, they can be reduced into infinitive phrases. The object is not used with the infinitive phrase.
She asked (me) if she could take my pen.
She asked to take my pen.
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Reduction of Requests for Permission
Infinitive phrase
Reported speech Request of action
She asked to leave early.
Sarah asked (me) if she could leave early.
Can I leave early?
She asked to turn on the light.
Sarah asked (me) if she could turn on the light.
Could I turn on the light?
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Reduction of Requests for Permission
•Compare: •She asked to take the pen.•Can I take the pen? (Permission)
•She asked me to take the pen.•Would you take the pen? (action)
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Reduction of Embedded questions
Embedded yes/ no questions with auxiliaries can be reduced into infinitive phrases. (table 7.16, p.326)
Should I come early?
Jay asked if he should come early.
In reduced Yes/no questions, whether (or not) is always used with infinitive phrases. The speaker and the subject of the question must be the same.
Jay asked whether to come early.
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Reduction of Embedded questions• Compare:
• Should I submit the paper on Tuesday?• Should Sarah submit the paper on Tuesday?
• Ali Asked if he should submit the paper on Tuesday.• Ali Asked if Sarah should submit the paper on Tuesday.
• Ali asked whether to submit the paper on Tuesday.• The second one can’t be turned into an infinitive phrase
because the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the noun clause.
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Reduction of Embedded questions
Embedded Wh-questions can be reduced into infinitive phrases. (table 7.16, p.326) (Practice 4 & 5, p. 326)
Which pages should I read?
Jay asked (her) which pages he should read.
In reduced Wh-questions, information question words (or wh-words) such as where, when, what, … are always used with infinitive phrases. The speaker and the subject of the question must be the same.
Jay asked (her) which pages to read.
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Reduction of Embedded questions
• Compare:
• When am I going to Egypt?• When are they going to Egypt?
• Ali Asked when he is going to Egypt.• Ali Asked when they are going to Egypt.
• Ali asked when to go to Egypt.• The second one can’t be turned into an infinitive phrase
because the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the noun clause.
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Reduction of Statements of Urgency
Statements of urgency can be reduced into infinitive phrases.(table 7.13, p. 323)
It is important that she call.
It is important for her to call.
It is necessary that I eat well.
It is necessary for me to eat well.
It was essential that he have the money
It was essential for him to have the money.
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Reduction of Urgent RequestsSome urgent requests can be used with infinitive phrases. Only the following verbs of requests can be used with infinitive phrases (table 7.13, p. 323) Practice 1, p. 323
advise, urge, command, require, ask
I will advise that he call right away.
I will advise him to call right away.
He urged that I see a doctor.
He urged me to see a doctor.
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Reduction of Urgent Requests
* The infinitive is used as a form of reduction to the noun clause. It is used in informal English after these verbs: command, advise, ask, require, and urge.
• Attend the meeting.• We asked that the manager attend the meeting.• We asked the manager to attend the meeting.
• Get eight hours of sleep at night.• The doctor advised that every child get eight hours of
sleep at night.• The doctor advised every child to get eight hours of sleep
at night.
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Reduction of Urgent Requests
• Forbid all forms of discrimination.• The union urged that the company forbid all forms of
discrimination.• The union urged the company to forbid all forms of
discrimination.
• Give one-month vacation.• The union commanded that the company give one-month
vacation.• The union commanded the company to give one-month
vacation.