Grammar: Clause: Using the clause to organise text

Focusing on feelings and attitudes

Emphasising the interpersonal nature of the interaction

In conversation we can emphasise the interpersonal nature of the interaction in two main ways: one way is to start the clause with the person's name (technically, a 'Vocative'):

Here, although the starting point is the Vocative, the Theme includes the topic which is being developed:

Vocatives can be names, titles, terms of endearment and nicknames. We often use these when we want to get someone's attention. Here are some further examples:

Another way in which we can emphasise the interpersonal nature of the interaction is by asking a Question:

If we ask a Question, it is an indication that we want to be told something. The typical starting point of a Question in interrogative mood is a finite verb (do, can) or a Wh- word (why). Starting the clause in this way places the focus on the missing information. This is outlined as follows:

	yes/no Question: what the speaker wants to know is 'yes or no'. This type of Question begins with a finite verb such as a modal auxiliary or an auxiliary verb: Do you want to know a secret? Can you play the piano?
	wh- Question: what the speaker wants to know is some content information. This type of Question begins with a wh- word such as where, when, why, what, which, who, how: Why is it so dark? Where did you go? When shall we have lunch?

In both types of Question, the first word indicates that it is an interrogative. This is the point of departure, ie the Theme.

Again, although the starting point is the part which tells us that it is a Question, the Theme may include the topic which is being developed:

The point of focus in Commands

We generally make Commands using an imperative clause (also used to make suggestions). The basic meaning conveyed from the speaker's point of view is 'I want you to do something' or 'I want us to do something':

We might expect that the Theme would be You for a Command or Let's for a suggestion. However, when we are making a Command, we do not normally include the You in the Theme:

Note that the terms Command, New Information, Question, Theme and Vocative are written with a capital to remind us that they are functional terms.