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# Clausal predicate with a copula — `nsubj:outer` — proposal

**Proposal: accept** the analysis of the 2.10 amendment and EWT. Do not take the old analysis from `_en/specific-syntax.md:46–51`, where the copula is the head and the clause is `ccomp` ([Clausal predicate with a copula: ccomp in the text, nsubj:outer in the data](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/dialects/ud-2.18/seeds/clausal-predicate/)).

**What exactly in `mova`.** *The problem is that these sentences are difficult*: the head is *difficult*, *is* is `cop`, *problem* is `nsubj:outer`, *sentences* is `nsubj`. For a clausal subject of the outer clause — `csubj:outer`.

**Why.**

- **Matches the standard and the data:** EWT 2.18 has 257 `nsubj:outer`/`csubj:outer` and not a single instance of the old analysis. The 7 cases of *be* with `ccomp` are quotative *be like* and *there are hints … that*.
- **More consistent.** The copula stays `cop` in all sentences, with no "transitive copula" exception.
- **Lossless:** export is identity. The old analysis, if it is ever needed for UD v1 or SD conversions, is derived deterministically from `nsubj:outer` + `cop`.

**Check.** `en.verbal.outer-subject-needs-cop` ([Outer subject with a predicate clause](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/en/seeds/verbal/outer-subject/)), `en.verbal.cop-verb-head-outer` ([In a copular clause the head is the predicative](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/en/seeds/verbal/copula-predicate-head/)); counters `ud218.outer-subject`, `ud218.be-ccomp-head`.

**Origin.** [Clausal predicate with a copula: ccomp in the text, nsubj:outer in the data](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/dialects/ud-2.18/seeds/clausal-predicate/); `2.18:docs/changes.md#multiple-subjects`.

Mova decides.

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