In this article, we will analyze the sentence ‘But what if we were to alter the priorities a little and argue that enjoying our travel memories could be a critical part of what can sustain and comfort us—and, not least, is perhaps the cheapest and most flexible form of entertainment.’ and answer the question regarding the subject of the sentence. Specifically, we will break down the structure of the sentence and explain how the noun clause ‘what’ functions as the subject.
1. The Sentence Structure
The sentence in question is a complex sentence with multiple clauses. The phrase ‘what if we were to alter the priorities a little and argue’ introduces a hypothetical situation, where the clause ‘what if we were to alter the priorities’ acts as the main part of the sentence, while ‘argue that enjoying our travel memories could be a critical part’ serves as a complement.
2. The Function of ‘What’ in the Sentence
‘What’ in this sentence functions as the subject of the noun clause. In English grammar, ‘what’ can often introduce a noun clause that serves as the subject of the main sentence. In this case, ‘what’ refers to the hypothetical action or concept being discussed, which is ‘altering the priorities’ and ‘arguing that enjoying travel memories is important.’
3. Understanding ‘What’ as a Noun Clause
The noun clause in the sentence functions as the subject of the verb ‘argue.’ The structure ‘what if’ introduces a question or hypothetical condition, making it a type of noun clause that functions similarly to a subject in the sentence. The subject of the main clause is ‘what if we were to alter the priorities,’ which is being argued in the rest of the sentence.
4. Translation and Practical Use
To summarize, ‘what’ in this sentence is not simply a question word but a tool to introduce a noun clause that serves as the subject. This construction is commonly used in hypothetical or conditional statements. For a clearer understanding, the sentence can be broken down and analyzed through practice exercises where ‘what’ introduces different hypothetical situations, helping learners better grasp its use in various contexts.
Conclusion
The sentence ‘But what if we were to alter the priorities…’ uses ‘what’ to introduce a noun clause that serves as the subject. Understanding this structure is key to mastering complex sentences in English. By practicing more examples, you can become more confident in identifying and using noun clauses in your writing.
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