Unit 10.1
Infinitive Subordinate Subordinate Noun Sentences
Introduction
The subordinate clause [oración subordinada] is a type of compound sentence structurally dependent on the nucleus of another sentence, called the main sentence [oración principal].
There are three types of subordinate clauses: noun, adjective (or relative) and adverbial.
Subordinate noun clauses [praciones subordinadas sustantivas] have the same function as a noun or a nominal syntagm. The infinitive noun subordinate [oración subordinada sustantiva de infinitivo] clause begins with an infinitive verb.
Form
One of the types of subordinate noun clauses are the infinitive noun subordinate clauses. Their structure has the following form:
Main sentence + infinitive [subordinate clause].
The infinitive verb in these sentences can have the functions of both subject and complement of regime:
Subject function
The infinitive noun subordinate clause has a subject function with unaccusative psychological verbs, e.g. verbs that expresses the presence, appearance or occurrence of something.
They have the following forms:
Main sentence (CD pronoun + conjugated verb) + subordinate sentence (infinitive verb) + ….;
The infinitive usually follows the verb of the main sentence.
Regime complement function
The infinitive noun subordinate clause has the function of a complement of the regime when it has the function of a prepositional group selected by the verb.
It is usually used with two-argument verbs:
Main sentence (conjugated verb + a) + subordinate sentence (verb in infinitive) + ….
Example
Subject function:
- Juan quiere ir de viaje de una vez;
- Odio hacer las maletas para un viaje;
- He decidido reservar un billete de avión a Madrid.
Regime complement function:
- Si te roban durante un vuelo estás obligado a acudir a la policía;
- La renta esta vez me ha salido a pagar;
- El guía turístico dedica mucho tiempo a trabajar.
Use
{See Subordinate Noun Sentences, level A1}
Summary
Subordinate noun clauses have the same function as a noun or a nominal syntagm. For example, in Spanish, the infinitive noun subordinate clause indicates the noun subordinate that begins with an infinitive verb.
For example:
— «Me gusta comer despacio». = The subordinate clase is comer despacio, which begins with an infinitive;
— «Me encanta vivir cerca del centro». = The subordinate clause is vivir cerca del centro , beginning with an infinitive.
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
Exercises
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