ABSTRACT
Substantive clauses In principle, any substantive clause whatever can be restructured around a verbal abstract. This procedure neutralizes the contrast between a factual and a notional substantive clause (p. 56) since 'his arrival' covers both 'the fact of his having arrived' and 'the possibility, etc., that he may arrive': compare e.g. 'his arrival yesterday has upset my plans' with 'his arrival tomorrow may upset my plans'. In spite of this, the verbal abstract formulation is extensively employed, even in quite elaborate structures. Indeed, it is virtually mandatory in the position of theme, since there is a considerable reluctance to beginning a sentence with an 'an or 'anna clause. 'The fact that he gave me some money does not prevent me speaking my mind' would normally be phrased as 'his giving me some money .. .' unless of course the sentence is structured verbally as <not prevents-me speaking my mind the fact that he gave ... ).
