Real Grammar - Susan Conrad, Douglas Biber 2009

Complex Grammar in Conversation
Unit 50 The stuff thought you could use

What have you learned from your grammar textbook?

There are many kinds of complex grammatical structures, including (1) adjective clauses (also called relative clauses), (2) noun clauses, and (3) infinitive phrases:

1. Jack asked about the exam that was scheduled for next Tuesday.

2. Steve thought the students were very smart.

3. They wanted to work harder.

What does the corpus show?

A

Compared to academic writing, the grammar in conversation often looks simple. Words and sentences in conversation are usually shorter and less complicated. However, some complex grammatical structures are actually more common in conversation than in writing: that-noun clauses, if-noun clauses, w/i-noun clauses, want + to-clause, thing/stuff+ adjective clause. The complex grammatical structures usually occur after certain expressions.

B

That-noun clauses are common after expressions including one of these four verbs: think, guess, know, say (usually with I as subject, and that omitted—see Units 31 and 32):

C

If-noun clauses and wh-noun clauses are common after expressions including one of these three verbs: know, see, wonder.

*See Unit 31.

D

То-clauses are common after one expression: I want to.

• I want to go home.

• I want to ask you some questions.

E

Adjective clauses are common as modifiers of the nouns thing or stuff, or indefinite pronouns like somebody or something.

*And other pronouns—see Unit 43.

F

Finally, it is common to find several of the above expressions and nouns or pronouns combined in the same sentence:

• I don’t know what I want to do.  

• That’s the computer thing I think I told you about.

Activities

1 Notice in context: Read the two conversations. Circle the expressions and the nouns or pronouns that introduce clauses.

1. Decorating for an outdoor birthday party.

James: Is there anything we can do with these decorations?

Brenda: I think we can easily hook the decorations on the tree. I wonder if I can secure it with a nail or something.

James: Right. What about the food? I wonder if we should keep the dogs inside so they don’t get to it.

2. About trying out for a school’s volleyball team.

Annie: So, are you coming? Try-outs are starting in the gym today after school.

Christy: Volleyball’s good. I think it’s fun, but I don’t know if I want to do it.

2 Analyze discourse: Look back at Activity 1 and at each word you circled. Write the type of clause that comes after each one (that, if, wh-, to, or adjective clause) in the margin. Draw an arrow between the circled word and the clause type. Discuss with a partner.

3 Practice the structure: Complete each dialogue with an appropriate expression from Sections B-E. There may be more than one possible answer.

1. You and your friend Eric are talking about a trip.

Eric: My brother just traveled to Denmark. He said he loved it. He said you’re thinking about going, too.

You: ... go, but I can’t afford the plane ticket.

2. You are talking to Joe, your mechanic, about your car.

You: My brakes squeal when I stop. I think they’re dying, but I don’t have money to replace them. Do you think you can fix them?

Joe: ... what we can do. ... if we’ll have to replace them yet.

3. You and your family are leaving for a vacation.

You: I know you don’t like to waste electricity, but can’t we leave one light on while we’re gone? Just to make it seem like someone’s home.

Dad: ... we can. It sounds like a good idea.

4. Your friend Jeff is complaining about a homework assignment.

Jeff: You know, I get so frustrated reading these old historic documents. I mean, it’s like they’re written in a totally different language. They’re so formal! I can hardly understand them.

You: I have the same problem. ... if we could find a more modern version of the text.

5. You are talking with your friend Yoko after she returned from a trip to Peru.

Yoko: When I was unpacking last night, I found a little lizard in my backpack, still alive. And I thought, how did a lizard get in there?

You: ... it crawled in while you were camping.

6. A father comes home early from a trip.

Dad: Hey, I got in a day early.

Mom: Hi. Ooh, I know ... that’s gonna be happy to see you. (holding up their baby) Is that daddy?

4 Practice conversation: Carrie and Michael did not realize that the foreign film they rented had no English subtitles. Imagine their conversation as they try to figure out what is happening in the film. Work with a partner. Use as many expressions from Sections B-E as possible, when you are finished, practice the conversation with your partner.

Scene: The film begins with a girl waving to her father as she stands on a quay. Her father is on a ship about to cross the Atlantic Ocean to America. He is going to America in search of a new life. In one hand, the girl is holding a large black leather bag. Her face is calm and happy. As she turns away from the ocean and walks back toward the city, the camera focuses in on her and then on a large white bird flying out to the sea.

Carri: I guess she’s happy that her father is leaving for America and a new life.

Michael: I ...

Carrie: ...

Michael: ...

Carrie: ...

Michael: ...