Complementizers

Linguistics 222

Complementizers are words that, in traditional terms, introduce a sentence--subordinate conjunctions. The function of complementizers is to mark the status of mood of a sentence: whether the event is non-real or is real, whether or not it is true or false. Consider the following sentences:

(1)   John went to the store.

(2)   John didn't go to the store.

(3)   If John went to the store, I hope he bought some milk.

(4)   Did John go to the store?

(5)   If John had gone to the store, he would have bought some milk.

(6)   Whether or not John went to the store is immaterial.

(7)   Unless John went to the store, we don't have any milk.

Of these seven sentences, only the first two are real: either he went to the store or he didn't go the store. The latter is a denial of the former. In the remaining five sentences, it is not claimed that John's going to the store was a real event or a deny of a real event. (3) is conditional, (4) is interrogative, (5) is a contrary-to-fact. In (6) it makes no difference whether he went or not--the situation does not stipulate that he went or he did not go, and (7) is a negative conditional.

Complementizers are abbreviated to C, and in conventional syntax, they are seen as the head of CP, the sentence. The node S is the complement of the complementizer, and in advanced syntax, S is replaced by a myriad of nodes depending on the linguist who is arguing the point.

(8)   CP --> C + S.

Complements should not be confused with prepositions that take S as a complement:

(9)   Before John goes to the store, he should write out a list.

(10)  After he gets home from the store, he should put the milk in the fridge.

(11)  While he is going to the store, he will mail the letter.

(12)   PP --> P S.

These prepositions may be modified by certain degree words:

(13)   Just before John goes to the store, he ....

(14)   Right after he gets home from the store, ...

(15)   He will mail the letter just while he is going to the store.

Complementizers cannot be modified:

(16)   *Just if John goes to the store, ...

(17)   *Right whether or not he goes, ...

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