small clause

noun

A minimal predicate structure that possesses arguments and predicates but no tense: small clauses usually occur within the context of full clauses and may act as the direct object of the verb.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounsmall clause (plural small clauses)

plural small clauses

  1. grammarA minimal predicate structure that possesses arguments and predicates but no tense: small clauses usually occur within the context of full clauses and may act as the direct object of the verb.

Translations

Icelandic smásetning
  • smásetningminimal predicate structures that possess arguments and predicates but no tense
Cite this entry
APA

small clause. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/small%20clause

MLA

“small clause.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/small%20clause. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “small clause,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/small%20clause.

Source: small clause on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.