There are some cases of sentence structure which cannot be strictly determined as simple or composite and may be called marginal types. For example, it’s difficult to define such sentences to simple or composite sentences:

1) containing secondary predicative complexes (I saw her crossing the street.)

2) having two or more subjects with one predicate or two predicates with one subject (Tom and Jack were singing. Tom was singing and dancing.)

3) having no subject-clause (He did not know where to go.) and some others.

Semi-compound and semi-complex sentences.

    The semi-composite sentence is to be defined as a sentence with more than one predicative lines, which are expressed in fusion. For the most part, one of these lines can be identified as the leading or dominant; the others making the semi-predicative expansion of the sentence. The expanding semi-predicative line in the minimal semi-composite sentence is either wholly fused with the dominant (complete) predicative line of the construction, or partially fused with it, being weakened as a result of the fusing derivational transformation.

    The semi-composite sentence displays an intermediary syntactic character between the composite sentence and the simple sentence. Its immediate syntagmatic structure (“surface” structure) is analogues to that of the expanded simple sentence, since it possesses only one completely expressed predicative unit. Its derivational structure (“deep” structure), on the other hand, is analogous to that of a composite sentence, because it is derived from two or more completely predicative units – its base sentence.

    There are two different causes of the existence of the semi-composite sentence in language, each of them being essentially important in itself:

1. The tendency of speech to be economical, as a result of this tendency, reductional processes are developed which bring about semi-blending of sentences;

2. apart from being economical, the semi-composite sentence fulfils its own purely semantic function, different from the function of the composite sentence proper.

According to the ranking structure of the semi-composite sentences, they should be divided into semi-complex and semi-compound ones.

The semi-complex sentence is a semi-composite sentence built up on the principle of subordination. It is derived from minimum two base sentences, one matrix and one insert.

The matrix sentence and the insert sentence having a common element in different functions (object and subject) can be connected into a semi-complex sentence by means of:

1) changing the finite verb into a Vto (an infinitive) or Ving (a participle); deleting BE;

2) the two sentences overlapping round the common element, which is shared by them now. The shared word retains the form of the object.

The semi-complex sentences may be transformed into the passive which distinguishes them from semi-compound sentences.

    In accord with the relations between the two events, semi-complex sentences fall into 3 groups:

1. Simultaneity in the Same Place:

I saw her

She crossed the street      I saw her cross (crossing) the street (I saw her as she crossed (was crossing) the street)

The matrix sentence contains the verbs of physical perception: see, hear, watch, feel, smell, find

2. Cause and Result Relation:

I made my friends                                            

My friends will stay a little longer              I made my friends stay a little longer (I made them so that they stayed a little longer)  

The matrix sentence contains causative verbs: (a) make, let, have, get, help (used with and infinitive without “to”); (b) call, appoint, point, beat, wash, keep, dance, walk, etc. (used with nouns or adjectives); (c) set, send, keep (used with Ving (a participle)).

3. Information of the Event:

Used with thought of, spoken of, or wished for

(a) I know him

He is a good dancer     I know him to be a good dancer (I know that he is a good dancer)

The matrix sentence contains verbs of mental perception: believe, consider, expect, find, know, prefer, suppose, think, trust, understand

(b) The committee reported

The conference will be held in May      The committee reported the conference to be held in May (The committee reported that the conference would be held in May)

The matrix sentence contains verbs of speech : tell, order, ask, allow, report, announce, invite, etc.

(c) I’d like the students

The students will go on with the test till eleven

I’d like the students to go on with the test till eleven (I’d like that the students should go on with the test till eleven)

The matrix sentence contains verbs of wish: want, wish, like, love, hate, mean.

    The semi-compound sentence is a semi-composite sentence built up on the principle of coordination. Proceeding from the outlined grammatical analysis of the composite sentence, the structure of the semi-compound sentence is derivationally to be traced back to the minimum two base sentences having an identical element belonging to one or both of their principal syntactic positions, i.e. either the subject, or the predicate, or both. By the process of semi-compounding, the sentences overlap round the identical element sharing it in coordinative fusion, which can be either syndetic or asyndetic.

    Thus, two base sentences having an identical element in the same function can be connected into a semi-compound sentence by means of:

1. Overlapping round the identical NP-subject (the NP-subject of the second sentence is not repeated) – EX: I must go. I must put the car away = I must go and put the car away.

2. Overlapping round the identical verb (the verb of the second sentence is not repeated)- EX: Brenda laughed. John laughed = Brenda and John laughed.

3. Overlapping round both the identical NP-subjects and identical verbs – EX: Doris felt helpless. Doris felt angry= Doris felt helpless and angry.

References

1. Bloch M.Y. A Course in Theoretical English Grammar. - M., 2000. – p.6-26

2. Блох М.Я. Теоретические основы грамматики – М., 2000

3. Iofik L.L., Chakhoyan L.P. Readings in the theory of English Grammar

4. Слюсарева Н.А. Проблемы функционального синтаксиса современного английского языка. – М., 1981