The property Complementizer Clause has the value "yes" when there is at least one complementizer that precedes its clause. As with all word order properties, we restrict our attention to <a href="/glossary#productive">productive word order</a> patterns.<br>
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<b><a href="/glossary#complementizer">Definition of Complementizer</a></b> <br><!--A complementizer is a word that marks the beginning or end of an embedded clause.  For the purposes of this definition, an embedded clause is the complement of a higher verb.  The clause "that John is nice" is an embedded clause in the sentence "I said that John is nice."<br>
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Note: There are many uses of the term complementizer in syntactic theory. In this definition, complementizer means complement clause subordinator.
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<b>General Note on Word Order Properties</b>: <br>
A "yes" value for Complementizer Clause does not exclude a "yes" value for Clause Complementizer.<br>
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<b>NA (Not Applicable)</b>: This property is defined for a language if there are overt complementizers. If a language does not have overt complementizers, this property has the value NA.<br>
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1. <br>
English is "yes" for Complementizer Clause:<br>
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I said that John left. (complementizer = “thatâ€)<br>
I asked if John left.  (complementizer = “ifâ€) <br>
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2. <br>
In Ewe, a question particle follows the clause in matrix and embedded questions: <br>
Kofi yi suku a? <br>
Kofi go school Q <br>
"Did Kofi go to school?" <br>
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The question particle in Ewe does not count as a complementizer since it does not necessarily introduce an embedded clause.