+Exercises on the Composition of the Sentence and the Paragraph.+
(SEE PAGES 165-168.)
TO THE TEACHER.—See suggestions to the teacher, pages 30, 150.
* * * * *
LESSON 71.
THE COMPLEX SENTENCE-NOUN CLAUSE.
+Introductory Hints.+—In Lessons 40 and 41 you learned that an infinitive phrase may perform many of the offices of a noun. You are now to learn that a clause may do the same.
Obedience is better than sacrifice = To obey is better than sacrifice = That men should obey is better than sacrifice. The dependent clause that men should obey is equivalent to a noun, and is the +Subject+ of is.
Many people believe that the beech tree is never struck by lightning. The dependent clause, introduced by that, is equivalent to a noun, and is the +Object Complement+ of believe.
The fact that mold, mildew, and yeast are plants is wonderful. The clause introduced by that is equivalent to a noun, and is +Explanatory+ of fact.