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{{refgram|syntax|complementizer phrases}}
{{refgram|syntax|complementizer phrases}}


A '''complementizer''' is a word that starts a clause, like {{t|ꝡa}} or {{t|mä}} or {{t|ꝡë}}.
A '''complementizer''' is a word that starts a clause, like {{d|ꝡa}} or {{d|mä}} or {{d|ꝡë}}.


In Toaq, main clauses start with a complementizers in {{done|1}}, whereas subordinate clauses start with complementizer in {{done|3}}. The complementizers are:
In Toaq, main clauses start with a complementizers in {{done|1}}, whereas subordinate clauses start with complementizer in {{done|3}}. The complementizers are:
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! Type !! Main clause !! Subclause !! Meaning
! Type !! Main clause !! Subclause !! Meaning
|-
|-
| Declarative or wh-question || {{t|ꝡa}} || {{t|ꝡä}} || "that"
| Declarative or wh-question || {{d|ꝡa}} || {{d|ꝡä}} || "that"
|-
|-
| Yes-no question || {{t|ma}} || {{t|mä}} || "whether"
| Yes-no question || {{d|ma}} || {{d|mä}} || "whether"
|-
|-
| Degree question || {{t|tıo}} || {{t|tïo}} || "how (much)"
| Degree question || {{d|tıo}} || {{d|tïo}} || "how (much)"
|-
|-
| Restrictive [[relative clause]] ||  || {{t|ꝡë}} || "which"
| Restrictive [[relative clause]] ||  || {{d|ꝡë}} || "which"
|-
|-
| Non-restrictive relative clause ||  || {{t|jü}} || "which"
| Non-restrictive relative clause ||  || {{d|jü}} || "which"
|-
|-
| [[Property]] / lambda clause ||  || {{t|lä}} || "λ"
| [[Property]] / lambda clause ||  || {{d|lä}} || "λ"
|}
|}


== Null complementizers ==
== Null complementizers ==
English doesn't really have an equivalent of {{t|ꝡa}}: you can't say something like *''That I like this book.'' in the main clause. But in Toaq, it's perfectly normal to say {{t|Ꝡa cho jí ní kue.}} The word {{t|ꝡa}} acts as a [[sentence fence]].
English doesn't really have an equivalent of {{d|ꝡa}}: you can't say something like *''That I like this book.'' in the main clause. But in Toaq, it's perfectly normal to say {{d|Ꝡa cho jí ní [kue].}} The word {{d|ꝡa}} acts as a [[sentence fence]].


Conversely, English allows for a "null complementizer" in a subclause: instead of ''I know <u>that</u> you like this book'', you can say ''I know you like this book''. In Toaq, this is not allowed: you must say {{t|Dua jí, <u>ꝡä</u> cho súq ní kue}}. Only the declarative main-clause complementizer {{t|ꝡa}} is optional.
Conversely, English allows for a "null complementizer" in a subclause: instead of ''I know <u>that</u> you like this book'', you can say ''I know you like this book''. In Toaq, this is not allowed: you must say {{d|Dua jí, ꝡä cho súq ní [kue]}}. Only the declarative main-clause complementizer {{d|ꝡa}} is optional.