ON THE USAGE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF ADVERBIAL PHRASES IN HYPOTACTIC SENTENCES (IT’S A LONG TIME / IT’S AGES / FOR A LONG TIME / ONCE / AT ONE TIME)

Abstract

The structure of sentences with constituent adverbial phrases presents special interest. These phrases are: it’s a long time / it’s ages / for a long time / once / at one time. The issue concerns the complex sentences, in which the main clause is expressed by the given adverbial phrases, and is joined with the subordinate clause without a conjunction or with a relative pronoun which. We assume that structurally such sentences are complex, namely, main clauses are followed by complex subordinate clauses.  In such cases, time adverbial phrases (it’s a long time / it’s ages / for a long time / once / at one time) are presented as main clauses that are followed by subordinate clauses. As a rule, these subordinates are joined with main clauses by a relative pronoun which.

Keywords: Syntax, Oral speech, Adverb.