clause element

clause element (setningsledd): a word, phrase, or clause that has a syntactic function in a clause. The most common types of clause element are subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, subject predictive , object predicative, and adverbial. In addition there may be an opening connector.  (Syntactic functions that are not included in the basic clause patterns are anticipatory subject, anticipatory object, free predicative, oblique object, vocative and insert.)