Complétive

Complétive is a term used in linguistics to describe a type of subordinate clause that functions as a complement, fulfilling a semantic role that is typically occupied by a noun or noun phrase. These clauses provide essential information that completes the meaning of the main clause, often acting as the direct object, subject, or predicative complement.

In many languages, complétive clauses are introduced by specific complementizer words, such as "that" in English, "que" in French, or "dass" in German. These conjunctions signal the beginning of the subordinate clause and its role in completing the main verb or predicate. For instance, in the English sentence "She believes that he is coming," the clause "that he is coming" is a complétive clause functioning as the direct object of the verb "believes."

Complétive clauses can express a variety of meanings, including statements, questions, desires, or perceptions. They are fundamental to constructing complex sentences and conveying nuanced information. The specific grammatical properties and frequency of use for complétive clauses can vary significantly across different languages, reflecting diverse syntactic structures and semantic preferences. Understanding complétives is crucial for analyzing sentence structure and the relationships between different parts of a sentence.