Since clause conjunctions do not always appear in surface structure, who is to say that they must exist in deep structure? And, if they do exist, how do they exist? For example, in the "since" vs. "because" query, in deep structure does the clause conjunction exist as a word (Which one?), an idea (causation), or as a function (subordination)? Aren't we getting into ontological arguments here? I'm not sure of how this applies to the high-school or undergraduate college classroom. Just asking, Ed V. >>> MIKE MEDLEY <[log in to unmask]> 11/05/97 10:29pm >>> > ------------------------ > for every additional clause in a sentence there will always be another clause > conjunction to integrate it in. > --------------------------------- Sandie Holt responded to the above statement with the following question (which I expect she raised not to get an answer, but to make a point about the questionable statement above). > > What about a sentences with 2 clauses and only a semi-colon between them? > Perhaps, we could say that the semi-colon itself functions as a conjunction. That is probably how readers process it. An important additional consideration may be that the 'conjunction' or 'complementizer' words do not always appear in the surface structure (they are deletable or optional). Therefore, it will not appear to students that there is a conjunction integrating the additional clause. Examples: My sister told me she would arrive on Tuesday. (two clauses, no 'integrating conjunction') My sister, concerned about my health, came to visit me last Tuesday. (again two clauses, one reduced, but no integrating conjunction). ********************************************************************** R. Michael Medley VPH 211 Ph: (712) 737-7047 Assistant Professor Northwestern College Department of English Orange City, IA 51041 **********************************************************************