Word or phrase for a commonly-used clause at the beginning of a sentence, such as “It's almost as if”
I've been seeing a lot of tweets/comments/posts with the following structure: "It's almost as if [obvious observation]".
Ignoring how terrible this trend is, what is an appropriate word or phrase for the "it's almost as if" part?
I believe there's a term for this type of commonly-used subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. The fact that my example is idiomatic is probably relevant to what I'm looking for. The fact that my example is sarcastic/ironic is probably irrelevant.
EDIT: As pointed out by John Lawler in the first comment, this is actually not even a subordinate clause like I originally thought.
single-word-requests phrase-requests idioms subordinate-clauses
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
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I've been seeing a lot of tweets/comments/posts with the following structure: "It's almost as if [obvious observation]".
Ignoring how terrible this trend is, what is an appropriate word or phrase for the "it's almost as if" part?
I believe there's a term for this type of commonly-used subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. The fact that my example is idiomatic is probably relevant to what I'm looking for. The fact that my example is sarcastic/ironic is probably irrelevant.
EDIT: As pointed out by John Lawler in the first comment, this is actually not even a subordinate clause like I originally thought.
single-word-requests phrase-requests idioms subordinate-clauses
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
New contributor
coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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1
Actually, starters like It's almost as if ... aren't subordinate clauses. They're main clauses that have been drafted into service as mood setters for a subordinate clause containing some observation, as you say. Consider how many words there are in It's almost as if and contrast that with how little it says. The meaning has been bleached out of the main clause and now it's effectively on other duty. This is how language changes.
– John Lawler
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I've been seeing a lot of tweets/comments/posts with the following structure: "It's almost as if [obvious observation]".
Ignoring how terrible this trend is, what is an appropriate word or phrase for the "it's almost as if" part?
I believe there's a term for this type of commonly-used subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. The fact that my example is idiomatic is probably relevant to what I'm looking for. The fact that my example is sarcastic/ironic is probably irrelevant.
EDIT: As pointed out by John Lawler in the first comment, this is actually not even a subordinate clause like I originally thought.
single-word-requests phrase-requests idioms subordinate-clauses
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
New contributor
coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I've been seeing a lot of tweets/comments/posts with the following structure: "It's almost as if [obvious observation]".
Ignoring how terrible this trend is, what is an appropriate word or phrase for the "it's almost as if" part?
I believe there's a term for this type of commonly-used subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. The fact that my example is idiomatic is probably relevant to what I'm looking for. The fact that my example is sarcastic/ironic is probably irrelevant.
EDIT: As pointed out by John Lawler in the first comment, this is actually not even a subordinate clause like I originally thought.
single-word-requests phrase-requests idioms subordinate-clauses
single-word-requests phrase-requests idioms subordinate-clauses
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
New contributor
coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
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coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 7 mins ago
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
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coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
asked 4 hours ago
coolassdude
12
12
New contributor
coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
coolassdude is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Actually, starters like It's almost as if ... aren't subordinate clauses. They're main clauses that have been drafted into service as mood setters for a subordinate clause containing some observation, as you say. Consider how many words there are in It's almost as if and contrast that with how little it says. The meaning has been bleached out of the main clause and now it's effectively on other duty. This is how language changes.
– John Lawler
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Actually, starters like It's almost as if ... aren't subordinate clauses. They're main clauses that have been drafted into service as mood setters for a subordinate clause containing some observation, as you say. Consider how many words there are in It's almost as if and contrast that with how little it says. The meaning has been bleached out of the main clause and now it's effectively on other duty. This is how language changes.
– John Lawler
2 hours ago
1
1
Actually, starters like It's almost as if ... aren't subordinate clauses. They're main clauses that have been drafted into service as mood setters for a subordinate clause containing some observation, as you say. Consider how many words there are in It's almost as if and contrast that with how little it says. The meaning has been bleached out of the main clause and now it's effectively on other duty. This is how language changes.
– John Lawler
2 hours ago
Actually, starters like It's almost as if ... aren't subordinate clauses. They're main clauses that have been drafted into service as mood setters for a subordinate clause containing some observation, as you say. Consider how many words there are in It's almost as if and contrast that with how little it says. The meaning has been bleached out of the main clause and now it's effectively on other duty. This is how language changes.
– John Lawler
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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Actually, starters like It's almost as if ... aren't subordinate clauses. They're main clauses that have been drafted into service as mood setters for a subordinate clause containing some observation, as you say. Consider how many words there are in It's almost as if and contrast that with how little it says. The meaning has been bleached out of the main clause and now it's effectively on other duty. This is how language changes.
– John Lawler
2 hours ago