9. The semi-complex sentence.

The notion of the semi-composite sentence as a sentence with non-finite clauses.

The semi-composite S is to be defined as a sentence with more than one predicative lines which are expressed in fusion (слияние, объединение). For the most part, one of these lines can be identified as the leading or dominant, the others making the semi-predicative expansion of the sentence. The expanding semi-predicative line in the minimal semi-composite S is wholly fused with the dominant predicative line of the construction, or partially fused with it, being weakened as a result of the fusing derivational transformation. The semi-complex S is a semi-composite S built up on the principle of subordination. It is derived (образовано) from minimum two base sentences, one main and one subordinate. In the process of semi-complexing, the subordinate S is transformed into a construction which is embedded (вставлен) in one of the syntactic positions of the main S. In the resulting construction, the main S becomes its dominant part and the subordinate S, its subordinate semi-clause.

Classification of semi-complex sentences.

The semi-complex sentences fall into a number of subtypes. Their basic division is dependent on the character of predicative fusion: this may be effected either by the process of position-sharing (word- sharing), or by the process of direct linear expansion. The sentences based on position-sharing fall into those of subject-sharing and those of object-sharing.

Semi-complex sentences of subject-sharing: John (subject) came (main) home – John came home tired (secondary). The predicate of these S-s forms the structure of the "double predicate" because it expresses two important functions at once: first, the function of a verbal type (the verb component of the predicate); second, the function of a nominal type (the whole combination of the verb with the nominal component).

Semi-complex sentences of object-sharing: John found Jim very tired; John painted the house orange; Joe saw Mary leave.

The sentences based on semi-predicative linear expansion fall into those of attributive complication, adverbial complication, and nominal-phrase complication. Each subtype is related to a definite complex sentence as its explicit structural prototype.

Semi-complex S-s of attributive complication are built up by means of two base sentences, one of which is transformed into a semi-predicative post-positional attribute to the dominant part in the main S: Tired (shows the reason; separated from the main S), John went to bed early; The book written by Jim (attribute) was published in Paris.

Semi-complex S-s of adverbial complication are derived from two base sentences, one of which, the subordinate sentence, is predicatively reduced and embedded into an adverbial position of the other one, the main S: While travelling on a train, Jim finished his book.

Semi-complex S-s of nominal complication are derived from two base sentences, one of which, the subordinate S, is partially substituted and embedded in one of the nominal positions of the other sentence, the main one. Like other types of linear complication, infinitive and gerundial nominal semi-clauses are easily transformed into related fully-predicative subordinate clauses (nominal or adverbial): Being tired (subject) didn’t stop John from accepting yet another invitation (gerunds