complementizer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Linguistics
Quick answer
What does “complementizer” mean?
A word or morpheme that introduces a subordinate clause and marks it as a complement to a verb, adjective, or noun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word or morpheme that introduces a subordinate clause and marks it as a complement to a verb, adjective, or noun.
In theoretical syntax, a functional head (often abbreviated as 'C') that occupies the highest position in the clause structure, hosting elements like conjunctions (that, if, whether) and marking clause type (declarative, interrogative).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences in use. The theoretical concept is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely academic/technical. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Exclusively used in linguistics. Frequency is zero in general English.
Grammar
How to Use “complementizer” in a Sentence
[verb] + [complementizer] + [clause] (e.g., 'think that...')[adjective] + [complementizer] + [clause] (e.g., 'certain whether...')[noun] + [complementizer] + [clause] (e.g., 'question if...')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “complementizer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The complementizer position was empty.
- A complementizer-less clause is common in informal speech.
American English
- The complementizer node is crucial in the tree diagram.
- Complementizer selection varies across languages.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Exclusively used in linguistics papers and syntax textbooks.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in syntactic theory, used to describe clause structure and selection.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “complementizer”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “complementizer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “complementizer”
- Misspelling as 'complimentizer'.
- Using it in non-linguistic contexts.
- Confusing it with 'complement' (noun phrase) rather than 'complementiser' (clause introducer).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In traditional grammar, words like 'that', 'if', and 'whether' are called subordinating conjunctions. 'Complementizer' is a more precise theoretical term from generative syntax for the same grammatical function.
Typically, a single clause has only one complementizer position (C). However, in cases of complementizer doubling (e.g., some dialects: 'I think that if that...'), you might find two, but this is non-standard and a subject of study.
'Complementiser' is the standard British English spelling, following the '-ise' convention. 'Complementizer' is the standard American English spelling with '-ize'.
All languages have ways to embed clauses, but not all use a specific word class identical to English complementizers. The syntactic position (C) is considered a linguistic universal, but its phonetic realisation varies.
A word or morpheme that introduces a subordinate clause and marks it as a complement to a verb, adjective, or noun.
Complementizer is usually technical/linguistics in register.
Complementizer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmplɪməntʌɪzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmplɪmənˌtaɪzɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a complementizer as the CLASP that attaches a subordinate clause to the main sentence.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE or DOORWAY into a subordinate clause.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary function of a complementizer?