Appositives function like relative clauses in that they modify noun phrases and can be either restrictive or nonrestrictive.

 

• (Restrictive relative clause) The thief that stole my computer should rot in hell.
• (Restrictive appositive) My sister Edna married a kleptomaniac.

 

• (Nonrestrictive relative clause)  Zebras, which are striped quadrupeds, are native to Africa.
• (Nonrestrictive appositive) My sister, a gifted artist, won a MacArthur fellowship.

 

Entirely different from relative clauses are complement clauses, which have three varieties:

 

• (“Sentential” complements, which function as noun phrases)
  He knows that chocolate is addictive.
  That Milton raised a ruckus surprised nobody.
• (“Adjectival” complements, which modify adjectives)
  Martha is happy that she is no longer incarcerated.
• (“Nominal” complements, which modify nouns)
  The rumor that Elvis is alive spread wildly.

 

The clause in the cited example, “The fact that they didn't like chocolate surprised her,” is a nominal complement.

 

To illustrate the difference between relative and complement clauses, consider the following ambiguous sentence. With different interpretations, it can be read either as a relative or a nominal complement clause:

 

• We believed the theory that Camilla proposed to Charles.

 

In the relative interpretation, Camilla proposed a certain unspecified theory to Charles, and we believe that theory.

In the complement interpretation, we believe the theory that it was Camilla who proposed marriage to Charles and non vice-versa.

 

Dick Veit

________________________

 

Richard Veit

Department of English, UNCW

Wilmington, NC 28403-5947

910-962-3324