Lesson 6 | Proposition rules
Substantivals
What is a substantival?
A substantival clause is a verbal phrase that as a whole is functioning like a noun. It may be serving as the subject or object of a verb, or as the object of a prepositional phrase. The most common usage of substantivals is as the object of a verb like to think, to know, to see, to hear, to consider or to say.
We actually have already dealt with certain types of substantivals in the previous steps on infinitives and participles. When infinitives function as the subject of another verb, they are acting substantivally. Same goes with complementary infinitives which (in a way) function as the object of another verb. When participles function as a noun, then they too are functioning substantivally.
What we are adding on in this step are “normal” (finite) verbal clauses which can also function substantivally. When they do, they may be introduced with the word that or if, or with a question word. Or they might not include an introductory word. The substantival clauses in the text below are marked in bold.
23 I hope therefore to send [Timothy] just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. —Philippians 2:23-30
Again, note that “I hope therefore to send [Timothy]” is also called a complementary infinitive, as we learned on an earlier step. We also find a participle functioning as a noun in the prepositional phrase “at seeing him again.” The remainder of the substantivals in this text are introduced by the word that or by a question word.
Substantivals to not break off
Most of the time, there is no reason to break off a substantival clause into its own proposition. It is acting like a subject or object, not relating to the other pieces of the passage in a logical way.
Substantivals to break into a new proposition
The exception to this rule is when you meet a complex substantival clause. By complex, we simply mean that it is a substantival clause containing two or more verbs. The text above actually does not contain any complex substantival clauses. Thus, none of the above substantivals should be broken off to start a new proposition.
However, you will recall from the step on infinitives that we ran into an exception. “My desire is to depart” from Philippians 1:23 contains a complementary infinitive (which we can also call a substantival object of the verb “is”) and so would normally not be broken off into a separate proposition. But this is a problem because Paul's “desire” goes beyond just departing. He continues, “and be with Christ.” Thus, the substantival object is actually two-fold: “to depart and be with Christ.” Thus, we must break “to depart” off from “My desire is” so that we can first combine it with “and be with Christ.”
.png)
Here is a second example.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith. —Philippians 1:25
Paul knows what? That, you will recall, is the question we ask to pinpoint the object of the verb. In this case, the answer is a complex substantival clause. Paul knows two things: (1) that he will remain, and (2) the he will continue with the Philippians. Therefore, both those pieces should be broken off into two new propositions.
Quiz
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. —Philippians 1:27-30
Should "that you are standing firm in one spirit" (vs27) be broken off into a separate proposition?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Should "I had" (vs30) be broken off into a separate proposition?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Should "I still have" (vs30) be broken off into a separate proposition?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.