A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
OF ENGLISH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
IN THE ARTICLES ON TIME MAGAZINES
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
FRANSISKA DEWI HASTUTI
Student Number : 044214001
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
i
A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
OF ENGLISH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
IN THE ARTICLES ON TIME MAGAZINES
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
FRANSISKA DEWI HASTUTI
Student Number : 044214001
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
ii
A
Sarjana Sastra
Undergraduate Thesis
A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
OF ENGLISH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
IN THE ARTICLES ON TIME MAGAZINES
By
FRANSISKA DEWI HASTUTI
Student Number: 044214001
Approved by
Dra. Bernardine Ria Lestari, M. S.
August
11,
2009
Advisor
iii
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis
A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
OF ENGLISH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
IN THE ARTICLES OF
TIME
MAGAZINES
By
FRANSISKA DEWI HASTUTI Student Number : 044214001
Defended before the Board of Examiners on August 22, 2009
and Declared Acceptable
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
Name Signature
Chairman :Dr. Fr. B. Alip, M. Pd., M. A. __________________ Secretary : Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka, M. Hum. __________________ Member : Anna Fitriati, S.S., M. Hum. __________________ Member :Dra. Bernardine Ria Lestari, M. S. __________________ Member : Dr. Fr. B. Alip, M. Pd., M. A. __________________
Yogyakarta, August 31, 2009 Faculty of Letters Sanata Dharma University
Dean
iv
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations.
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge.
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
v
I dedicate this thesis to:
Jesus Christ and Mother Mary
My beloved Mom and Dad
My lovely Sister and Brother
vi
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN
AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama : Fransiska Dewi Hastuti
Nomor Mahasiswa : 044214001
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES IN THE ARTICLES ON TIME MAGAZINES beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya. Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 31 Agustus 2009
Yang menyatakan
vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I have to thank so many people who have encouraged me with their love, prayer and support in the completion of writing this thesis. I could not manage my time well and I almost failed to fight against myself. I am very thankful to Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, who always bless my family and me in whatever condition we are. They also give me strength and patience in every second of my life. Thanks to Them, this thesis is finally done.
I am deeply indebted to Dra. Bernardine Ria Lestari, M. S., my advisor, who had patiently and wisely helped, guided, corrected and gave me invaluable suggestions for the completion of this thesis. I also would like to thank Dr. Fr. B. Alip, M. Pd., M. A., my co-advisor, for giving me suggestion and correction.
My deepest love and gratitude goes to my dearest father, Drs. A. B. Susiloputro, and my dearest mother, Agatha Maria, Amk, S. Pd, who always give me their endless love, care and patience. They are my best sponsors in life; without them, I am nobody. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to study in Yogyakarta, far from home. Also, I thank my sister Agnes “Eny” Purwanti and my brother Albertus “Wawan” Kurniawan. Thanks for your jokes and supports that always cheer me up. Dad, mom, Kak Eny and Wawan, thanks for giving me the best family I have ever had.
viii
Lisa, Clara, Windy, Siska, Dewi, Trisna, Ester, Ika), ex-Unit 3 (Kak Ari “Umi”, Kak Na, Anyesh, Agacil, Iin, Achonk, Etho, Bella, Galih, ZhaZha), Kak Wulan, Kak Ela, Mary “Doi Seng”, Gita, Laura, Elis Inang, Yu’ Yeni, Tela, and all Syantikers everywhere they are. Thanks for our precious and unforgettable moments. Caritas et Sapientia!
My gratitude is also aimed to all my lovely friends in English Letters 2004, especially Disty, Rani, Sheilla, Indri Nesta, Tini Smart, Dita Ndut, Nofee, Lutfi, Pita, Ella Moru, Elin, Amel, Astrid, Lisis, Ririn, Corry, Dede, Mas Jati, Bang Ison, Bang Veme, Bang Ucok, Soni, Six, Rizky, Nanang, “Didi” Reena Ray, Widi, Tata, crew of play performance ”In the Blood” (Donny and Fred), members of KKN Tangkilan XXXIV (Siska “Toa”, Ditha Kacamata, Mami Mpit, Fika, Stev “Bo Bo Ho”, Om Dito, Boris, Ci’ Fenny), and so on. Thanks for being my friends and introducing me the “flavor” of Java. Matur nuwun.
I give special thanks to all English Letters Teaching Staff for their guidance during my study here. I also send gratitude to all secretariat staff, especially mbak Nik, who have helped me with the administration matters. Big thanks also to all the library staff and ‘mitra’ in Sanata Dharma University Library. It is impossible to do this without their help.
Finally, many thanks are addressed to those who have given me a hand, whose names I cannot mention here one by one but I believe that God always blesses them all. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu…
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
APPROVAL PAGE ………... ii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ………. iii
MOTTO PAGE ……….. iv
DEDICATION PAGE ………... v
LEMBAR PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH ……… vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……….. viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……….. ix
LIST OF TABLE ……… xi
ABSTRACT ……… xii
ABSTRAK ……….. xiii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION……… 1
A.
Background of the Study……….. 1
B.
Problem Formulation……… 4
C.
Objectives of the Study……… 5
D.
Definition of Terms……….. 5
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW………... 7
A.
Review of Related Studies……… 7
B.
Review of Related Theories……….. 9
1.
Definition of Adverbial Clauses ………. 9
2.
Subordinating Conjunction of Adverbial Clauses………... 10
3.
Structural Types of Adverbial Clauses……… 12
a.
Finite Adverbial Clauses……… 12
b.
Non-Finite Adverbial Clauses………14
c.
Verbless Clauses……… 16
4.
Semantic Functions of Adverbial Clauses………... 17
a.
Adverbial Clauses of Time……… 17
b.
Adverbial Clauses of Place……….... 19
c.
Adverbial Clauses of Cause/Reason……….. 20
d.
Adverbial Clauses of Result……….. 22
e.
Adverbial Clauses of Purpose……… 23
f.
Adverbial Clauses of Contrast………... 24
g.
Adverbial Clauses of Manner……… 27
h.
Adverbial Clauses of Condition ……… 28
i.
Adverbial Clauses of Degree………. 31
5.
The Position and Punctuation of Adverbial Clauses………32
x
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY………….………..….. 35
A.
Object of the Study………..………. 35
B.
Method of the Study………..………... 35
1.
Kind of Research………..35
2.
Data Collection………...………. 36
3.
Data Analysis………..……… 37
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS……….. 38
A.
The Functions of the Adverbial Clauses……… 38
1.
Adverbial Clauses of Time……….. 39
2.
Adverbial Clauses of Place………... 43
3.
Adverbial Clauses of Cause/Reason……… 44
4.
Adverbial Clauses of Result……… 46
5.
Adverbial Clauses of Purpose……….. 47
6.
Adverbial Clauses of Contrast………... 49
7.
Adverbial Clauses of Manner……….. 51
8.
Adverbial Clauses of Condition ……….. 52
9.
Adverbial Clauses of Degree………...…… 54
B.
The Structure of the Adverbial Clauses………. 56
1.
Finite Adverbial Clauses……….. 57
2.
Non-Finite Adverbial Clauses ……….59
a.
Infinitive Clauses ……….. 60
b.
–ed
Clauses ………62
c.
–ing C
lauses………... 64
3.
Verbless Adverbial Clauses ……… 67
4.
The Position and Punctuation of the Adverbial Clauses………. 69
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION……….75
BIBLIOGRAPHY……….. 78
xi
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. The Functions of Adverbial Clauses Found in the Articles of Time
Magazines published on May 26 and June 2, 2008 ……… 39
Table 2. Subordinators of Adverbial Clause of Time ………. 40
Table 3. Subordinators of Adverbial Clause of Cause/Reason ……… 44
Table 4. Subordinators of Adverbial Clause of Purpose……….. 48
Table 5. Subordinators of Adverbial Clause of Contrast ……….49
Table 6. Subordinators of Adverbial Clause of Condition ……….. 52
Table 7. The Structural Types of Adverbial Clauses found in the Articles on Time Magazines………..……… 56
Table 8. Numbers of Non-Finite Adverbial Clauses……… 59
xii
ABSTRACT
FRANSISKA DEWI HASTUTI (2009). A Study on the Structures and Functions of Adverbial Clauses in the Articles on Time Magazines. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University.
Complex sentence is frequently used to combine two or more simple sentences of different levels in order to make an effective writing. It consists of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. One of the commonest subordinate clauses used in writing is adverbial clause. Adverbial clause is a clause functions as an adverb, mainly as an adjunct or a disjunct. Therefore, it describes a verb, an adjective or the other adverb. Since adverbial clause has the most subordinating conjunctions, which enables us to arrange numerous sentences, there can be sentences of great complexity that may cause ambiguity and misunderstanding. Therefore, this thesis is meant to analyze the structures and the functions of the adverbial clause in several articles on Time Magazines.
This thesis has two objectives. First, to find out the functions of the adverbial clauses mostly used in the articles on Time magazines. After finding out the functions of the adverbial clauses, then, the second objective is to find out the structures of each function of adverbial clauses in the articles on Time magazines.
xiii ABSTRAK
FRANSISKA DEWI HASTUTI (2009). A Study on the Structures and Functions of Adverbial Clauses in the Articles on Time Magazines. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Kalimat majemuk sering digunakan untuk menggabungkan dua atau lebih kalimat sederhana yang berbeda tingkatan agar membuat tulisan menjadi efektif. Kalimat majemuk terdiri dari sebuah klausa utama dan satu atau lebih klausa bawahan. Salah satu klausa bawahan yang paling sering digunakan dalam tulisan adalah klausa keterangan. Klausa keterangan adalah klausa yang berfungsi sebagai keterangan, terutama sebagai adjunct dan disjunct. Oleh karena itu, klausa ini menjelaskan kata kerja, kata sifat, dan kata keterangan lainnya. Karena klausa keterangan memiliki kata hubung antarklausa yang paling banyak yang memudahkan kita untuk membuat beragam kalimat, akan timbul kalimat-kalimat yang sangat kompleks yang dapat menyebabkan ambigu dan kesalahpahaman. Maka, tesis ini disusun untuk menganalisa struktur dan fungsi klausa keterangan pada beberapa artikel pada Majalah Time.
Tesis ini memiliki dua tujuan. Pertama, untuk menemukan fungsi klausa keterangan yang paling sering digunakan pada artikel Majalah Time. Kemudian tujuan kedua adalah untuk menemukan struktur dari setiap fungsi klausa keterangan tersebut.
Dalam menganalisa permasalahan di atas, peneliti menerapkan metode penelitian empiris. Pertama, data dikumpulkan dan dikelompokkan menjadi beberapa fungsi. Kemudian peneliti menganalisa struktur dari data yang telah dikumpulkan. Peneliti juga menerapkan studi kepustakaan untuk memperoleh teori-teori dan informasi.
xiv
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A.
Background of the Study
Human beings are not only individual creature but also social creature. As
social creature, they need to communicate and interact with other people. Without
communication, people will not be able to do their daily activities easily in their
life. Hence, we need a language as the crucial vehicle of all human knowledge. “It
is the basic foundation of all human cooperation, without which no civilization is
possible” (Pei, 1984: 210).
By using the language, we are able to express our ideas, opinions and
feelings such as love, hate, evil, sympathy and so on. We can also use language to
transmit information to others, either in spoken or in written form. The spoken
form is related to the use of sound. It can be spoken directly like when two people
or more are in conversation, or recorded mechanically like when a newscaster is
reading news on television. The written form can be found in any kind of printed
media such as literary text, schoolbooks, newspaper, magazine, journal and so on.
To use a language well and to make other people comprehend what we are
talking or writing about, we need to know the grammar of a language. Radford
states that
2
principles which specify how to form, pronounce, and interpret Phrases
and Sentences in the language concerned” (Radford, 1988: 2).
It means that grammar provides the learners with a set of rules or principles
applied in every English sentence from the very simple sentence up to the
complex sentence.
In simple sentences, there is only one clause. According to Quirk et al.
(1972: 342), a
clause
is a unit that can be analyzed into the elements Subject,
Verb, Complement, Object, and Adverbial. Therefore, a simple sentence contains
only one subject and one verb phrase, and may have an object or a complement
and one or more adverbials as well.
Using only simple and short sentences, we will not be able to explain what
we intend to say completely. Besides, a series of simple and short sentences in
explaining something can make our writings become not efficient. Therefore, we
can combine simple sentences with other simple sentences to form compound
sentences, complex sentences or even compound-complex sentence. For example,
the simple sentence
Lisa sings on the stage
can be combined with the simple
sentence
John accompanies her on the piano
to form the compound sentence
Lisa
sings on the stage
and
John accompanies her on the piano.
In a compound
sentence, all the simple sentences have grammatically equal importance to one
another and they are combined with a coordinating conjunction such as
and, or
and
but
.
Different from a compound sentence, in a complex sentence there is more
3
is a sentence consisting of only one main clause and one or more subordinate
clause functioning as element of the sentence. The main clause is an independent
clause since it can constitute a simple sentence and the subordinate clause is a
dependent clause because it makes up a grammatical sentence only if subordinate
to a further clause (1972: 720-721).
Furthermore, Greenbaum and Quirk (1997: 304-305) distinguish four
major categories of subordinate clauses based on their potential functions. They
are nominal clauses, relative clauses, adverbial clauses and comparative clauses.
A nominal or noun clause is a clause which has a function like a noun phrase or a
pronoun, such as subject, object, complement, appositive, or prepositional
complement. For example, in the sentence
That we need a larger computer has
become obvious,
the nominal clause
that we need a larger computer
functions as
the subject of the sentence
.
A relative or adjective clause does the work of an
adjective in modifying the noun phrase or a pronoun. It provides extra information
about the noun it follows. For example,
The girl who wears glasses is my sister.
The adjective clause
who wears
glasses modifies the noun phrase
the girl.
Meanwhile, adverbial clause is a clause functions as an adverb, mainly as an
adjunct or a disjunct. Therefore, it describes a verb, an adjective or the other
4
modifying functions. It is equivalent to degree adverb. For example,
She has more
patience than you have.
Among four major categories of subordinate clauses above, an adverbial
clause has the most subordinating conjunctions, which enables us to arrange
numerous clause structures. As the result, there can be sentences of great
complexity that may cause ambiguity and misunderstanding. Kolln (1990: 360)
states that the long list of subordinators, which enables us to connect ideas for a
wide variety of reasons, may often show up problems related to the meaning of
the sentence: the wrong idea gets subordinated and the meaning of the
subordinator is imprecise. We still can find those problems in many kinds of
writings including the published articles that many people read.
In this thesis, the writer conducted a study on English adverbial clauses
used in several articles on
Time
magazines published on May 26 and June 2, 2008.
The study focuses on the structures and the functions of the adverbial clause as
subordinate clause in a complex sentence in order that the reader may get better
understanding on adverbial clauses and use the subordinators precisely in the
complex sentence.
B.
Problem Formulation
Based on the explanation affirmed earlier, these are some questions I
would like to discuss as the main way for the next analysis on this paper. The
questions to gain a comprehensive understanding on the title of this paper can be
5
1.
What are the functions of adverbial clauses mostly used in the articles on
Time
magazines published on May 26 and June 2, 2008?
2.
How are every function of adverbial clauses constructed in the articles on
Time
magazines published on May 26 and June 2, 2008?
C.
Objectives of the Study
Having problem formulations above, this thesis has some objectives, they
are: first, to find out the functions of the adverbial clauses mostly used in the
articles on
Time
magazines. By knowing the functions of the adverbial clauses, we
can find the precise subordinators that introduce the adverbial clauses. After
finding out the functions of the adverbial clauses, then, the second objective is to
find out the structures of each function of adverbial clauses in the articles on
Time
magazines.
D.
Definition of Terms
This is a study conducted to analyze the structures and the functions of
adverbial clauses. Therefore, we need to define the terms structures, functions and
adverbial clauses into a more specific linguistic definition.
1.
Structure
In
Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English
Language,
structure is defined as “a complex system considered from the point of
view of the whole rather than of any single part” (Webster, 1989: 1410).
6
viewed as a system in which the elements are defined in terms of relationship to
other elements” (Pei, 1966: 262).
Therefore, the term structure used in this thesis refers to the regularities
and patterns of a complex system as a whole unity in relationship to other
elements. It categorizes the adverbial clauses syntactically into finite adverbial
clauses, non-finite adverbial clauses, verbless adverbial clauses, and also the
position and the punctuation of the adverbial clauses.
2.
Function
The writer uses the term function to refer to the semantic function
according to Greenbaum and Quirk’s
A Student’s Grammar of the English
Language.
Greenbaum and Quirk say that the semantic function of adverbial
clause is the meaning of adverbial clause in relation to the main clause (1997:
314). Therefore, it categorizes the meaning of adverbial clauses into several types:
adverbial clauses of time, adverbial clauses of place, adverbial clauses of contrast,
etc.
3.
Adverbial Clause
As the name indicates, an adverbial clause is a dependent clause that
replaces the position of an adverb in a simple sentence. It functions mainly as an
adjunct or a disjunct (Quirk et al., 1972: 743). It modifies a verb, an adjective, or
an adverb, and is introduced by subordinating conjunctions to express the relation
7
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
Chapter II contains three parts. The first part, Review of Related Studies,
will reveal the studies conducted by two scholars about the similar object, in this
case adverbial clauses. To support the topic, some theories that are going to be
applied will be presented in the second part, Review of Related Theories. These
theories are provided for the analysis. They concern about the structures of
adverbial clauses as well as the functions of adverbial clauses. The last part is
Theoretical Framework. This part will cover the important review of related
theories in answering the problem formulations. This thesis discusses about the
analysis of adverbial clauses in the articles on
Time
magazines.
A.
Review of Related Studies
Many scholars have conducted a study on adverbial clauses. For example,
Wisnu Widya Tama analyzed parts of adverbial clauses in his thesis entitled “A
Study of the Construction of English Cause and Reason Clauses” in
Time Asia
magazines published on September 30, October 07, 14 and 21, 2002. The
problems discussed are: the forms used to construct English cause and reason
clauses and the distribution of the forms. He used library research method as the
method of the study. In doing his analysis, Wisnu used data collection and data
8
For the first problem, he subsequently concluded that the statement of English
cause and reason could occur in independent clauses, dependent clauses with
subordinators or transitions, and verbless and non-finite dependent clauses. For
the second problem, he concluded that a clause with a specific conjunction can
have position in the beginning, middle or at the end of complex sentence, whereas
some clauses introduced by some conjunctions are seemingly placed in a fixed
distribution.
Similar to Wisnu, Pia Yongkik Suprihatin also discussed about part of
adverbial clause in her thesis entitled “The Frequency of
so…that, such…that,
…enough to infinitive, too…to infinitive
Adverbial Clauses of Result used by
Native Writers”
.
In composing her thesis, she collected the data from the samples
of five books of science, three books of literature, and four magazines. Pia was
trying to explore the frequency of
so…that, such…that, …enough to infinitive,
and
too…to infinitive
adverbial clauses of result. The research was also intended to
classify
so…that, such…that, …enough to infinitive,
and
too…to infinitive
adverbial clauses of result whether they belong to the high, medium or low
frequency level.
This current study is similar to both previous studies above since it also
discusses adverbial clauses. However, unlike those previous studies that
investigate only one or two parts of adverbial clauses, this thesis will analyze the
adverbial clauses deeply and completely. This will include all the syntactic and
9
B. Review of Related Theories
In this part, the writer includes several theories from some linguists to analyze the object of the study in order to give limitation and help the writer to process the data and draw them into conclusion.
1. Definition of Adverbial Clauses
According to John E. Warriner in his book English Grammar and Composition, adverbial clause can be defined as follows:
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that, like an adverb, modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Adverb clauses often begin with a word like after, because, or when that expresses the relation between the clause and the rest of the sentence (1982: 62).
According to Quirk et al. in their book A Grammar of Contemporary English, adverbial clauses are “clauses serving primarily as adjuncts or disjuncts in the main clause and may be placed in various semantic categories, such as time, place, and manner” (1972: 743). They also add that adjuncts are integrated within the structure of the clause to at least some extent. For example, the adverbial clause in He writes to his parents because he wants to is an adjunct. On the other hand, disjuncts are peripheral to clause structure (Quirk et al., 1972: 421). As a disjunct, usually the adverbial clause is separated by a comma from its main clause. Textually, disjuncts represent a comment by the writer on the content of the clause as a whole (Downing and Locke, 2003: 62). For example, He is drunk, because I saw him staggering. In this sentence there is an implication that might
10
respect to the form of the communication or to its content (Quirk and Greenbaum, 1973: 26). The other example is To be honest, I do not like him. The adverbial clause to be honest is a disjunct which is simply a comment. Therefore, it is separated by a comma from its main clause.
Based on the definition given by two linguists above, we can define that an adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions mainly as an adjunct or disjunct and modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, and is introduced by subordinating conjunctions to express the relation between the clause and the rest of the sentence.
2. Subordinating Conjunction of Adverbial Clauses
Subordinating conjunction, or subordinator, is one of the important elements in complex sentence, especially in the subordinate clauses. Frank states that subordinating conjunction introduces a clause that depends on a main or independent clause. It is grammatically part of the clause it introduces; it is never separated from its clause by comma (1972: 206).
11
semantic relation between the subordinate clause and the unit within which it is embedded.
Quirk et al. (1972: 727-728) divides subordinating conjunctions into three main categories:
i Simple Subordinators
A simple subordinator contains only a single word. The subordinators belong to this category are: after, (al)though, as, because, before, since, if, how(ever), once, unless, until, when(ever), where(ver), whereas, whereby, while.
ii Compound Subordinators
A compound subordinator consists of two or more words:
- ending with that: in that, so that, in order that, such that, except that - ending with optional that: now (that), providing (that), provided (that),
supposing (that), considering (that), given (that), granting (that),
granted (that), admitting (that), assuming (that), presuming (that),
seeing (that), immediately (that), directly (that)
- ending with as: as for as, as long as, so long as, insofar as, so far as,
inasmuch as, according as, so as (+ to + infinitive)
- ending with than: sooner than (+ infinitive), rather than (+ infinitive) - other: as if, as though, in case
iii Correlative Subordinators
12
if…then, as…so, more/-er/less…than, as…as, so…(that), such…as, no sooner…
than, whether…or, the…the.
Some of these subordinators may be preceded by intensifiers such as just because, only when, right after; or by negatives such as not because, never because. In relation to the meaning of the subordinators, Jackson adds that some subordinators are used with more than one type of adverbial meaning: since may indicate ‘time’ or ‘reason’ and so that may indicate ‘purpose’ or ‘result’ (Jackson, 1990: 214). Therefore, context is necessary to give contribution to the meaning of the adverbial clauses. For example, the subordinator since that is used to introduce the adverbial clause in sentence I have played tennis since I was a young girl indicates the time of the main clause. Meanwhile, since in the sentence Since the weather has improved, the game will be held as planned is used to indicate the
reason for the main clause.
3. Structural Types of Adverbial Clauses
The structural type of the adverbial clauses focuses on the element they contain, such as the verb. Therefore, adverbial clauses syntactically can be divided into finite adverbial clauses, non-finite adverbial clauses and verbless clauses.
a. Finite Adverbial Clauses
13
Finite clause is a clause containing a finite verb. It always contains a subject as well as a predicate, except in the case of commands (Quirk et al., 1972: 722). In finite adverbial clause, the verb is able to show grammatical properties such as tense (past or present), person (first person, second person or third person) and number (singular or plural).
(1) Bill did not come to the meeting because he got an accident.
Sentence (1) contains an independent clause Bill did not come to the meeting and a dependent clause because he got an accident, which contains a finite verb got. Since the adverbial clause because he got an accident indicates the past tense, as the main clause does, so the form of the finite verb get changes into the past tense got.
Furthermore, Quirk et al. state that in adverbial finite clauses, the whole of the predication or part of it can be omitted, except that we cannot ellipt merely the object (1972: 538). Part of adverbial finite clauses that can be omitted are:
a). Whole of Predication
(2) John will play the guitar if Tom will (play the guitar).
(3) Because Alice won’t (dust the furniture), Mary is dusting the furniture. b). Subject Complement Only
(4) I’m happy if you are (happy).
(5) You must be the member of the party, since he is (a member of the party). but not if the verb in the subordinate clause is other than BE:
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c). Adjunct Only
(7) Tom was at Oxford when his brother was (at Oxford).
(8) I’ll write to the committee if you’ll write (to the committee) too. d). Lexical Verb Only
(9) John is playing Peter though Tom won’t (play) Paul. (10) I’ll pay for the hotel if you will (pay) for the food. but not
e). Object Only
(11) *He took the money because she wouldn’t take (the money). (12) *I’ll open an account if you’ll open (an account).
(Quirk et al., 1972: 538-539) An object cannot be ellipted in finite clause since the predication consists of the transitive verb which requires an object. If the object is ellipted, the meaning of the sentence will be suspended and incomplete.
b. Non-Finite Adverbial Clauses
Different from finite clause, a non-finite clause contains a non-finite verb. Thus, the verb in a non-finite adverbial clause does not show a contrast in tense between past or present and cannot be marked for person and number.
15
because they are explicitly bound to the main clause syntactically. When the subject is not present in a non-finite or verbless clause, it is assumed to be identical in reference to the subject of the main clause. This term used to identify the subject is called the attachment rule.
The classes of non-finite adverbial clause and their examples are: a) Infinitive
Most of adverbial infinitive clauses contain to, except when introduced by rather than and sooner than. Besides, in those of the first type, the subject of the
infinitive is preceded by for, as shown in (14).
(13) Rather than study, Sam watched the football game. (without to) (14) The best thing would be for you to tell everybody. (with subject)
(15) He shook his head as if to signal his approval. (with subordinator and without subject)
(16) To type the letter accurately, he worked hard. (without subject) b) -ing participle
(17) Leaving the room, he tripped over the mat. (without subject) (18) The letters having been written, he went home. (with subject)
(19) When speaking English, Peter often makes mistakes. (with subordinator) c) -ed participle
(20) Covered with confusion, I left the room. (without subject) (21) The job finished, we left the room and went home. (with subject)
(22) Unless kept to a minimum, footnotes will put the reader off. (with subordinator)
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Sometimes the attachment rule is violated. The violation can cause a dangling clause or modifier. According to Greenbaum (1989: 240), a dangling modifier does not have its own subject, and its implied subject cannot be identified to be identical in reference with the subject of the main clause, although it can usually be identical with some other reference in the main clause. For example:
Dangling: Although large enough, they did not like the apartment. Correct: Although the apartment was large enough, they did not like it.
Greenbaum and Quirk (1997: 328) also add that the attachment rule does not apply if the implied subject of the adverbial clause is the whole of the main clause. In example I will help you if necessary, the subject of the if-clause is not I but the whole sentence. Thus, if the subject is present, it should be I will help you if it is necessary.
c. Verbless Clauses
Leech and Svartvik (1994: 250) state that verbless clauses do not contain verb element and often without subject. However, they are regarded as clauses because they function like finite and non-finite clause, and because they can be analyzed in terms of one or more clause elements. The subject, when omitted, can usually be understood as equivalent to the subject of the main clause. The attachment rule in verbless clause is so much the same as in non-finite clause. The examples of verbless clause are:
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(25) A sleeping bag under each arm, they tramped off on their vacation. (26) The oranges, when ripe, are picked and sorted.
(27) Whether right or wrong, Michael always comes off worst in an argument. In (23) and (24), the verbless clauses have explicit subjects. Verbless adverbial clauses may be preceded by subordinating conjunctions like sentence (26) and (27) or without the subordinators like in (23) - (25).
In verbless adverbial clauses, when the subject and the be-form are omitted, the retained portion of the predicate may be: a predicate noun, a predicate adjective, a prepositional phrase, a present participle, a past participle or an infinitive. The examples of each the retained portion of the predicate can be seen in the following explanation discussing about the functions of adverbial clauses.
4. Functions of Adverbial Clauses
Greenbaum and Quirk states that semantic analysis of adverbial clauses is complicated by the fact that many subordinators introduce clauses with different meanings: for example a since-clause may be temporal or clausal (1997: 314). Here, the writer will show the semantic functions of adverbial clauses classified based on the meaning of the subordinators in the clauses. The following theories are mostly taken from Greenbaum and Quirk’s A Student’s Grammar of the English Language and Frank’s Modern English: A Practical Reference Guide.
a. Adverbial Clauses of Time
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clause may be previous to that of the adverbial clause (until), simultaneous with it (while), or subsequent to it (after). The time relationship may also convey duration (as long as), recurrence (whenever), and relative proximity (just after).
As a clause denoting time, adverbial clauses of time are introduced by some subordinating conjunctions such as when, while, since, since, before, after, until, as, as soon as, now (that) and once. The uses of the subordinators in the
sentences can be seen from the examples below: (28) You may begin WHEN(EVER) you are ready. (29) WHILE he was walking home, he saw an accident.
(30) They have become very snobbish SINCE they moved into their expensive apartment.
(31) Shut all the windows BEFORE you go out.
(32) AFTER she finished dinner, she went right to the bed.
(33) UNTIL Mr. Lee got a promotion in our company, I’d never noticed him. (34) We’ll do nothing further in the matter TILL we hear from you.
(35) AS he was walking in the park, he noticed a very pretty girl. (36) I’ll go to the post office AS SOON AS I wrap this package. (37) You may keep my book AS LONG AS you need it.
(38) NOW (THAT) the time has arrived for his vacation, he doesn’t want to leave.
(39) ONCE she makes up her mind, she never changes it.
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clause beginning with only or not requires a reversal of subject and verb in the main clause (Frank, 1972: 236). For example:
(40) NOT UNTIL (ONLY WHEN) the plane landed did she feel secure.
The verbless clause of time may have several forms by omitting the subject and a form of be-from the clause. The examples of verbless clauses of time are:
(41) When (I was) a boy, I went to the lake every summer. (42) When (we are) young, we are full of hopes and anxieties. (43) When (you are) in the army, you must obey all commands. (44) She turns on the radio when (she is) doing the housework.
(45) War, when (it is) waged for a long time, can destroy the morale of a country.
(Frank, 1972: 239) The retained portion of the predicate may be a predicate noun [as in (41)], predicate adjective [as in (42)], prepositional phrase [as in (43)], present participle [as in (44)] or past participle [as in (45)]. From the examples above, the subjects of the main clauses also serve the subjects of the verbless clauses.
b. Adverbial Clauses of Place
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Furthermore, Greenbaum and Quirk (1997: 315) write that adverbial clauses of place may indicate position (46) or direction (47).
(46) WHERE the fire had been, we saw nothing but blackened ruins. (47) They went WHEREVER they could find work.
According to Frank (1972: 240), a conjunction of place may consist of an adverbial compound ending in –where or –place, with or without that following it such as anywhere (that), nowhere (that) everywhere (that), any place (that), no place (that), and every place (that).
The omission of subject and be-form in verbless clause of place may cause the retained portion of predicate in the forms of a predicate adjective [as in (48)] and a past participle [as in (49)].
(48) Repairs will be met wherever (they are) necessary. (49) We will work wherever (he is) sent by his company.
c. Adverbial Clauses of Cause/Reason
This type of adverbial clause shows the cause or reason why something happened or was done. Greenbaum and Quirk (1997: 322) state that reason clauses convey a direct relationship with the main clause. The relationship may be that of cause and effect, as in (50); reason and consequence, as in (51); motivation and result, as in (52); or circumstances and consequence, as in (53). The examples can be seen as follows:
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(53) Since the weather has improved, the game will be held as planned. Because may be preceded by intensifiers only and just, as in (52). Because
and since are the most commonly subordinators that indicate cause or reason. Other subordinators introducing the cause/reason clauses are:
(54) AS he was in hurry, he hailed the nearest cab.
(55) NOW (THAT) he’s inherited his father’s money, he doesn’t have to work anymore.
(56) WHEREAS a number of the conditions in the contrast have not been met, our company has decided to cancel the contract.
(57) INASMUCH AS every effort is being made to improve the financial condition of this company, the term of the loan will be extended.
(58) AS LONG AS it’s raining, I won’t go out tonight.
(59) His application for the job was rejected ON THE GROUND THAT he had falsified some of the information.
(Frank, 1972: 246) As long as is a synonym for since, but not for because. It is a more casual conjunction, often suggesting the feeling of anyhow.
Frank (1972: 248) states that the subject and a form of be may be omitted from a clause of cause. The retained portion of the predicate may be a predicate adjective and a participle, as in (60) and (61).
(60) Her nasty remarks are all the more insulting since (they are) intentional. (61) Since (it was) agreed on by the majority, this measure will be carried
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d. Adverbial Clauses of Result
Adverbial clauses of result give the consequences of an action or event in the main clause. The subordinators introducing adverbial clauses of result are so (that), so … that, such (a) … that, with the result that. For example :
(62) We paid him immediately, SO (THAT) he left contented. (63) I took no notice of him, SO (THAT) he flew into a rage. (64) She is SO emotional THAT every little things upset her.
(65) She behaved SO emotionally THAT we knew something terrible had upset her.
(66) This is SUCH an ugly chair THAT I am going to give it away. (67) These are SUCH ugly chairs THAT I am going to give them away. (68) This is SUCH ugly furniture THAT I am going to give them away.
(Frank, 1972: 249) The sentences number (64) – (68) are the examples of the subordinators of adverbial clauses of result with insertion. So … that is inserted by an adjective
emotional in sentence (64) and an adverb emotionally in sentence (65).
Meanwhile, such … that may be inserted by singular countable noun in (66), plural countable noun in (67) or uncountable noun in (68).
Frank (1972: 250) adds that sometimes so that is separated in such a way that so begins the main clause; in these cases a reversal of word order in the main clause is required.
(69)So powerful was he that none dared resist him.
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e. Adverbial Clauses of Purpose
Adverbial clauses of purpose show the purpose behind an action in the main clause. They are mostly introduced by the subordinators (in order) to and (so as) to. Thus, purpose clauses are usually infinitival. In (72), the subject is
preceded by for and inserted between in order and to.
(70) Students should take notes (SO AS) TO make revision easier.
(71) The committee agreed to adjourn (IN ORDER) TO reconsider the matter when fuller information became available.
(72) They left the door open (IN ORDER) for me TO hear the baby.
(Greenbaum and Quirk, 1997: 323)
Finite clauses of purpose are introduced by so that or by so, and by in order that. For example :
(73) The school closes earlier SO (THAT) the children can get home before dark.
(74) The jury and the witnesses were removed from the court IN ORDER THAT they might not hear the arguments of the lawyers on the
prosecution’s motion for an adjournment.
(Greenbaum and Quirk, 1997: 323) Frank (1972: 252) says that a purpose clause, especially introduced by so (that) often resembles a clause of result. However, certain physical features
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writing. The difference can be seen in the examples below, where (75) is clause of purpose and (76) is clause of result:
(75) He is sitting in the front row so (that) he may hear every word of the lecture.
(76) He sat in the front row, so (that) he heard every word of the lecture.
f. Adverbial Clauses of Contrast
According to Marcella Frank, there are two types of the adverbial clauses of contrast: concessive and adversative. The concessive clause offers a partial contrast. It states a reservation that does not invalidate the truth of the main clause. The adversative clause makes a stronger contrast that may range all the way to complete opposition (Frank, 1972: 241).
The difference between concessive clauses and adversative clauses can be seen in the explanation as follows:
1) Concessive Clauses
According to Greenbaum and Quirk (1997: 320), concessive clauses indicate that the situation in the main clause is contrary to what one might expect in view of the situation in the concessive clause.
The subordinators commonly used to introduce concessive clauses are although, though and even though. Frank states that these three subordinators
have practically the same meaning. Yet, though is less informal than although and even though adds the most force to the concession (Frank, 1972: 241).
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(79) EVEN THOUGH she disliked the movies, she went with her husband to please him.
(80a) WHILE admitted stealing the money, he denied doing any harm to the owner.
(80b) WHILE he denied doing any harm to the owner, he admitted stealing the money.
(81) EVEN IF he’s unreliable at times, he’s still the best man for the job. Frank (1972: 241-242) adds that while is also frequently used as a concessive subordinator as in (80), especially in informal English. Concessive clause introduced by while is likely to be reversible as shown in sentence (80a) as the reversed version of sentence (80b). In concessive clause introduced by even if, a concessive meaning may merge with the conditional meaning as shown in (81).
In formal English, certain participles combining with that function as conjunctions of concession.
(82) GRANTED (THAT) he has always provided for his children, still he has never given them any real affection.
(83) CONCEDED THAT his ceremony is unimpeachable, still it might be merely circumstantial evidence.
(84) ADMITTED THAT what you say is true, still there is much to be said for the other side.
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2) Adversative Clauses
Adversative subordinators often set up a complete contrast:
(85) WHILE Robert is with everyone, his brother makes very few friends. (86) WHERE the former governor had tried to get cooperation of the local
chiefs, the new governor aroused their hostility by his disregard for their
opinions.
(87) Soccer is a popular spectator sport in England, WHEREAS in United States it is football that attracts large audiences.
(88) He claims to be a member of the royal family WHEN in fact his family were immigrants.
(Frank, 1972: 244) The subject and be-form can be omitted from a clause of contrast. The retained portion of the predicate may be a predicate noun [as in (89)], a predicate adjective [as in (90)], a prepositional phrase [as in (91) and (92)], a present participle [as in (93)], or a past participle [as in (94)].
(89) Although (he is) only a child, he works as hard as adult. (90) Although (he is) very young, he works as hard as adult.
(91) Although (he was) in a hurry, he stopped to help the blind man cross the street.
(92) I’ll come and visit you soon, if (it is) only for a day.
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(94) Although (she was) hired as a bookkeeper, she also does secretarial work.
(Frank, 1972: 245)
g. Adverbial Clauses of Manner
According to Frank (1972: 266-267), adverbial clauses of manner are mostly introduced by the subordinators as, as if, and as though. These subordinators of manner may be preceded by the intensifiers just as shown in (95) and exactly as shown in (96).
(95) They all treat him just AS IF he were a king. (96) She always does exactly AS her husband tells her. (97) He walked around AS THOUGH he was in a daze.
Furthermore, Frank explains that in clauses beginning with as if and as though, two verb forms are possible. The first is indicative form if the speaker is
certain about the statement, and the other is the past subjunctive form if the speaker is more doubtful about statement.
(98) He looks AS IF he needs sleep. (indicative form)
(99) He looks AS IF he needed sleep. (past subjunctive form)
(Frank, 1972: 267) Some as clauses merely indicate the manner in which a statement is made and thus modify the entire sentence. These clauses may appear in any of the three positions of sentence adverbs, whether it is initial, mid or final position.
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predicate noun, a predicate adjective, a participle, an infinitive and a prepositional phrase, as shown in (100) – (104).
(100) As though (he were) still the king, Lear demanded all the privileges of majesty.
(101) He left the room as though (he were) angry. (102) Everything went off just as (it was) planned. (103) He opened his mouth as if (he were) to speak. (104) His illness disappeared as if (it was) by magic.
h. Adverbial Clauses of Condition
According to Greenbaum and Quirk (1997:316), adverbial clauses of condition convey a ‘direct condition’ in that the situation in the main clause is directly contingent on the situation in the conditional clause. For example, in uttering ‘IF you put the baby down, she’ll scream’ the speaker intends the hearer to undoerstand that the truth of the prediction she’ll scream depends on the fulfillment of the condition of your putting the baby down.
A direct condition may be either open or hypothetical. Open conditions leave unresolved the question of the fulfillment or nonfulfillment of the condition, while hypothetical conditions convey the speaker’s belief that the condition will not be fulfilled (for future conditions), is not fulfilled (for present conditions), or was not fulfilled (for past conditions). The examples can be seen as follows:
(105) If Collin is in London, he is staying at the Hilton. (open) (106) They would be here if they had the time. (hypothetical)
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Sentence (105) leave unresolved whether Collin is in London and whether he is staying at the Hilton. Therefore, it is an open condition. Meanwhile, sentence (106) convey the implication that they presumably do not have the time and hence the condition is not fulfilled. It is a hypothetical condition for present time.
Greenbaum and Quirk state that the present or future hypothetical meanings are expressed by would/should (or another past-tense modal) plus the infinitive in the main conditioned clause, and by the past tense in the subordinate clause (1972: 747).
The most common subordinators for conditional clauses are if and unless. Most subordinators may be preceded by the intensifiers only, just or not. The examples of the other subordinators can be seen below:
(107) EVEN IF I had known about the meeting, I couldn’t have come. (108) UNLESS it rains, we’ll go to the beach tomorrow.
(109) IN THE EVENT (THAT) the performance is called off, I’ll let you know at once.
(110) IN CASE the robbery occurs in the hotel, the management must be notified at once.
(111) We will be glad to go with you to the theater tonight PROVIDED (THAT) we can get a baby-sitter.
(112) The company will agree to the arbitration ON CONDITION (THAT) the strike is called off at once.
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(114) She would forgive her husband everything, IF ONLY he would come back to her.
(115) SUPPOSE (THAT) your house burns down. Do you have enough insurance to cover such a loss?
(116) WHETHER she is at home OR WHETHER she visits others, she always has her knitting with her.
(Frank, 1972: 253) To distinguish a hypothetical condition from the open one, Jackson adds that the tense of both the conditional clause and the main clause must be ‘backshifted’. It means that if the condition refers to the present or the future, the tense of the hypothetical condition is backshifted to the past. If the condition refers to the past, the hypothetical condition is backshfted to the past perfect (Jackson, 1990: 205).
The subject and be-form may be omitted from a clause of condition. The retained portion of the predicate may be a predicate noun, a predicate adjective, a prepositional phrase, a present participle or a past participle, as in (117) – (121) below.
(117) If (it is) a success, the experiment could lead the way to many others. (118) If (he is) still alive, he must be at least ninety years.
(119) If (it is) out of the question, please let me now.
(120) If (he is) meeting with too many unexpected difficulties, he will abandon the project.
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i. Adverbial Clauses of Degree
Clauses of degree can be divided into two main groups, clauses of comparison and clauses of proportion/extent. However, Greenbaum and Quirk have opted out the comparison clause as being one of four major categories of subordinate clauses based on their potential functions, together with nominal/noun clause, adjective/relative clause and adverbial clause (1997: 305). Therefore, the theory discussed here will be only about the comparison clause showing preference and hypothetical circumstances.
The subordinators of comparison clauses which express the choice of preference are rather than and sooner than. Such clauses do not include subjects and they contain only the simple form of verb. In their negative form, not precedes the verb. When such clauses are in final position, rather or sooner may be separated from than and placed with the verb. Here are the examples:
(127) Rather than give up his car, he would give up his house. (128) Sooner than not have his car, he would give up his house.
(129) He would rather (or sooner) give up his home than (give up) his car. (Frank. 1972: 269) As if and as though introduce adverbial clauses indicating comparison
with some hypothetical circumstance (Quirk et al. 1972: 755). The adverbial clause of comparison in hypothetical circumstance implies the unreality of what is expressed in the subordinate clause. From the example below, it is assumed that ‘I am not a stranger.’
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Proportion clauses express a proportionality or equivalence of tendency or degree between two situations. The clauses may be introduced by as, with or without correlative so, or by fronted correlative the…the followed by comparative forms (Greenbaum and Quirk, 1997: 325). Here are the examples:
(131) As he grew disheartened, his work deteriorated.
(132) As the lane got narrower, the overhanging branches made it more difficult for us to keep sight to our quarry.
(133) The more she thought about it, the less she liked it.
5. The Position and Punctuation of Adverbial Clauses
There are three possible positions for adverbial clauses; initial, medial and final. Frank explains that adverbial clauses in initial position gives more emphasis to the adverbial clause and it also may relate the adverbial clause more closely to the preceding sentence. An introductory adverbial clause is usually set off by commas, especially if the clause is long (Frank, 1972: 234). For example:
(134) If you had listened to me, you wouldn’t have made so many mistakes. (135) Since we live near the sea, we often go sailing.
Adverbial clause in medial position is often between the subject and the verb of the main clause (Greenbaum, 1989: 197). Here, commas must set off the adverbial clause, since it acts as an interrupting element. An adverbial clause in medial position helps to vary the rhythm of the sentence. The example of adverbial clause in medial position are:
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From the examples (136) and (137), we can see that the adverbial clauses in medial position are inserted between the subject and the verb of the main clauses.
Final position is the most usual position for the adverbial clause. According to Kolln, the punctuation of the subordinate clause is related to the meaning (Kolln, 1990:221). The examples can be seen as follow:
(138) I’ll go to Sue’s party if you promise to be there.
(139) I’m going to the party that Sue’s giving on Saturday night, even though I know I’ll be bored.
In sentence (138), the idea of the main clause will be realized only if the idea in the subordinate clause is carried out. Thus, a comma is not necessary since the main clause depends on the if-clause. However, the adverbial clause in (139) does not affect the fulfillment of the main clause so that it needs a comma. Therefore, in final position, if the adverbial clause defines the situation, it will not be set off by comma from the main clause, but if it simply comments, it will take the comma (Kolln, 1990: 222).
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C. Theoretical Framework
This study aims to answer problems about the structures and functions of adverbial clauses in the articles on Time magazines. In this part, the application of theories on the research will be explained.
The definition of the adverbial clause helps the writer to give basic understanding on adverbial clause, as the object of the study. This theory, together with the theory of subordinating conjunctions, gives contribution in finding the adverbial clauses in the articles on Time magazines. They subsequently aid to differentiate the adverbial clause from its main clause and the other types of subordinate clause.
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A.
Object of the Study
This is a thesis conducted to study about the structures and functions of
adverbial clauses found in the articles on
Time
Magazines published on May 26
and June 2, 2009. Therefore, the object of this study must be all English complex
sentences containing adverbial clauses. The writer chooses the articles in
Time
Magazines as the sources of the analysis because the languages used in these
magazines are understandable and appropriate for authentic English data.
B.
Method of the Study
In this section, the writer will present the kind of research and the
procedures of the research including data collection and data analysis.
1.
Kind of Research
In his book
An Introduction to General Linguitics
, Dinneen states that
linguistics is a scientific study of language because the empirical methods of the
sciences are employed as much as possible in order to bring the precision and
control of scientific investigation to the study of language (1967: 1). Furthermore,
he mentions that linguistics as a scientific study should be empirical, exact and
objective. Objective means that the conclusion is made based on the evidences
36
evidences which can be proven only. Lastly, exact means that the research results
in precise explanation about the relation of each other elements in language.
Based on the points affirmed above, this thesis is an empirical research.
Chomsky explains that the empirical research is a kind of research based on such
data (1965: 47). The writer used the articles from
Time
Magazines as the source
for the corpus of the analysis. These articles are the primary source because all of
the data was taken from these magazines. Furthermore, this thesis is conducted by
collecting the data and analyzing them to draw a conclusion.
The writer also implements a library research to gain the theories and
information. Those theories and information are mostly obtained from the book in
the library of Sanata Dharma University.
2.
Data Collection
As mentioned previously, the data required for the research were all
English complex sentences containing adverbial clauses. The data were collected
from the articles of
Time m
agazines issued on May 26 and June 2, 2008. There
were total 35 articles in those issues.
In collecting the data, the writer read all the articles to find out the
complex sentences containing adverbial clauses. After that, the data collected
were grouped based on the similarity of subordinator and transition contained in
each construction. Then the data were put in a list. The list of the adverbial clauses
37
3.
Data Analysis
The writer uses written language as the data for the analysis because a
written language is a valid and important object of linguistics investigation
(Gleason 1955: 10). The device on using written material as the data expectedly
will lead into a valid analysis of linguistics too.
Several steps were taken in the process of analyzing the data. The first step
was collecting the data which were all English complex sentences containing
adverbial clauses. The second step was classifying the data into several semantic
functions. They are adverbial clauses of time, adverbial clauses of place, adverbial
clauses of cause/reason, adverbial clauses of result, adverbial clauses of purpose,
adverbial clauses of contrast, adverbial clauses of condition, adverbial clauses of
manner and adverbial clauses of degree. The data were put into a list to simplify
the analysis. The third step was describing the structures of every function of
adverbial clauses. The findings on adverbial clauses, then, will be divided into
finite adverbial clause, non-finite clause, and verbless clause. In this part, the
position and punctuation of the adverbial clauses will also be included. The writer
also gave tables and examples taken from the articles. Finally, the analysis was
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This chapter covers two main parts in accordance with the two problems formulated in Chapter I. The first part will show the findings on the types and functions of adverbial clauses commonly used in the articles of Time Magazines to answer the first problem about the semantic functions of the adverbial clauses. The second part deals with the analysis on the structures of each functions of the adverbial clauses found in the articles to answer the second problem about the syntactic functions of the adverbial clauses. The tables provided will help the explanation further.
A. The Functions of the Adverbial Clauses found in the Articles of Time Magazines
In this part, the writer explains the occurrence of the adverbial clauses in the corpus. Having finished reading all the articles, identifying all complex sentences containing adverbial clauses, and grouping the adverbial clauses into their functions, the writer found that the collected data cover all semantic functions of adverbial clauses as mentioned in the theoretical review.
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Table 1. The Functions of Adverbial Clauses Found in the Articles of Time Magazines published on May 26 and June 2, 2008
Adverbial Clauses Total Percentage
Clauses of Time 188 55.2 %
Clauses of Place 1 0.3 %
Clauses of Cause/Reason 34 10 %
Clauses of Result 4 1.2 %
Clauses of Purpose 14 4 %
Clauses of Contrast 27 8 %
Clauses of Manner 13 3.8 %
Clauses of Condition 55 16 %
Clauses of Degree 5 1.5 %
Total 341 100 %
From the table above, we can see that the most frequent adverbial clause found in the corpus is the adverbial clause of time which covers more than half of all the adverbial clauses, that is 55.2 %. Jackson states that the time at which two events take place relative to each other is clearly an important piece of information when telling a story or giving a report of something that happened (Jackson, 1990: 200). Therefore, this is suitable to the characteristic of the articles in Time Magazines that reports event or issue in the way of telling a story.
The followings are the functions of the adverbial clauses found in the corpus based on the meaning of the subordinators and the context of the sentences
1. Adverbial Clauses of Time
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Table 2. Subordinators of Adverbial Clause of Time Subordinators Number When 83
As 34
After 22 Before 10
While 9
Since 4 Once 4
Whenever 2
Until 2
Without subordinator 18
Total 188
There are total nine subordinators used to introduce the adverbial clauses in indicating the time when the event in the main clauses happen. Most of those adverbial clauses of time are introduced by the subordinators when, and as. Here
are some examples taken from the corpus:
(1) WHEN night fell in Dujiangyan, a loudspeaker truck cruised the streets broadcasting the same message: “Please stay calm. (26 May 2008, pg. 23)
(2) But since 1990s, AS Manhattan real estate prices have skyrocketed, the distric’s legacy and its perch atop Central Park have enticed real estate developers searching for the next up-and-coming neighborhood. (26 May 2008, pg. 6)
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(4) ONCE melanoma spreads, it generally cannot be effectively treated with surgery or radiation, which are designed to target contained growths. (26 May 2008, pg. 32)
From the examples taken from the corpus, we can see that the adverbial clause of time relates the time of the situation in its clause to the time of the situation in the main clause, as stated by Greenbaum and Quirk. Some of the subordinators of time may have differences in meaning in indicating the time. The subordinators before and until shows that the time of the main clause may be previous to that of the adverbial clause, as seen in sentence (5) and (6).
(5) They extract a steep up-front investment of time from the reader BEFORE their return their hard, dense nuggets of truth. (26 May 2008,
pg. 34)
(6) Russia will not transcend this dichotomy UNTIL it begins building a truly original future
