qëclause

qëclause is a term used in Albanian linguistics to denote a type of subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction që, the Albanian equivalent of the English “that.” It functions as a content or complement clause, providing the proposition or content of the main clause. In standard Albanian, such clauses are finite and embedded within a larger clause, often serving as the object of a verb, an adjective, or a noun.

Formation and syntax: The conjunction që marks the beginning of the clause, and the verb inside the clause inflects for person and number to agree with its subject. The clause typically follows the main clause that expresses saying, thinking, believing, perceiving, or evaluating. Example: Unë them që ai erdhi. This translates to “I say that he came.”

Functions and variation: A qëclause can function as an object complement (for example, after verbs of saying or thinking) or as a complement after adjectives (for example, është i qartë që ai erdhi, meaning “it is clear that he came”) or after nouns that take a clause complement. The conjunction që and the accompanying finite verb form together constitute the standard Albanian content clause.

History and terminology: The label “qëclause” appears in descriptive grammars of Albanian to describe content clauses introduced by që. The concept corresponds to the general idea of a “that-clause” in other languages and is a central part of Albanian syntax. See also complementizer, content clause, Albanian grammar.