Scott,
The first sentence has a comparative clause invariably introduced by than, which is an adverbial complement to a comparative adjective (happy) or adverb, which is usually the form ending in -er for most monosyllables and disyllables in -y, -le, or -er, but for longer adjectives and adverbs is the "pariphrastic" more.
The second sentence has a result clause introduced by that, which is an adverbial complement to the adverb so, which is a modifier of the adjective or adverb (tragically).
Other adverbial clauses of degree are the complement of too and enough, which is in the form of an infinitive phrase called a "small clause" because its subject is introduced by the preposition for. Unlike the others the adverb enough follows after the adjective or adverb.
Bruce
--- [log in to unmask] wrote:From: Scott Woods <[log in to unmask]>To: [log in to unmask]Subject: grammar question/dependent clausesDate: Thu, 8 Feb 2018 23:11:41 +0000Hi All,
How would you characterize bracketed clauses in the following sentences?
If we only
wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other
people, which is almost always difficult,
since we think them happier [than they are].
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism
and war [that the bright daybreak of
peace and brotherhood can never become a reality].
These seem very different from normal noun, adjective, and adverb clauses. How should I explain these to children?
Thanks,
Scot Woods
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