A basic illocutionary force is the significatum of a sentence type; thus, a semantic property of a system sentence and, derivatively, of a clause. It is associated, by virtue of the linguistic system, with a characteristic syntactic construction. It is open for a range of specific illocutionary forces which are produced if the sentence is used as an utterance (Hengeveld 2004:1190f).

For instance, a declarative sentence may be used, inter alia, as a question (I wonder whether he is yet active) or as a threat (You will not repeat that). An interrogative sentence may be used as a request (Can you stop that?)

A subordinate clause which is the complement of a verb of cognition or communication has a sentence type; it is a dependent declarative, interrogative etc. clause. Consequently, it has a basic illocutionary force. However, it lacks an illocutionary force. Consequently, the basic illocutionary force is not an illocutionary force; it is the basis, or the schema, of an illocutionary force.