CLAUSES

- A clause is a group of words that contains a verb (and usually

the other components too).
- A clause may form part of a sentence or it may be a complete in
itself.

TYPES OF CLAUSES

1. NOUN CLAUSE

Definition a noun clause is a group of words that function as a

noun.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND NOUN CLAUSE (without using questions)

Noun clause takes IF, HOW, WH- words and THAT.

A noun clause has the following only.

1 (Subject + verb) only + subordinate clause
..................... or...............
2 . Subordinate clause + (Verb only or + object )

1. SUBJECT + VERB only

Examples
1. We will enjoy whatever you like .

We subject + will enjoy verb

(Whatever you like ) object

Noun clause, object of the verb will enjoy.

We will enjoy whatever you like

- Whatever you like is a subordinate clause

- We will enjoy is a main clause

- since the main clause has

Subject we and verb will enjoy it is a noun clause .

Other examples
1. He said he would go
2. I think that he has already left the office
3. Goerge does whatever he likes.
4. I will go wherever you go

Attention
All main clauses in the questions have
Subject + verb only.

All clauses which have subject + verb only are noun clauses

2. VERB only (or + object)

Examples

1. What he did surprised us.

The question above has

Verb surprised and object us only.

What he did subject

Since it has
Verb and object only in the main clause it is a noun clause .

Other examples
1. What he said doesn't interest me
2. Whether we play football or not depends on the weather .
2. Whether we play football or not depends on the weather .

Some noun clauses have no object but verb only like

Why the woman jumped into the well will never be known

Verb will never be known

All clauses which have verb only or (+object) in the main clause
are said to be noun clauses.

Noun clause as object of preposition

Look for those prepositions only like

For, on, from, to, e.t.c

1. The house was sold (for) what it was worth

2. Give it (to) whoever wants it.

Noun clause as a complement of a verb

Look for the following only (state of being verbs)

is, was, are, were, am, be only.

Examples
1. This (is) what I wanted
2. The difficulty (is) that both of us want the tickets .
3. This appears to (be) what they have been expecting
(Be does not work alone, hence appears to be is the verb.

Noun clause used as in apposition to noun

This one is identified by

Abstract noun + that only

Examples

1. The knowledge that he was right gave him satisfaction.

1. The knowledge that he was right gave him satisfaction.
Knowledge (abstract noun) + that

All abstract nouns + that are said to be noun clause when used in
a noun clause.

2. ADVERB CLAUSE

Definition is a group of words that function as an adverb .

HOW TO UNDERSTAND ADVERB CLAUSE

Adverb clause has one of the following.

While, before, after, since, until, once, because, as, unless, whether
or not, like, as....as, as if, though, although, whereas, even if,
everywhere, anywhere.

The following are also used in both noun clause and adverb
clause

When, whenever, wherever, where, if

Do not confuse noun clause with adverb clause (go to noun

clause section before you start adverb clause to see their
difference)

Adverb clause is identified by (if it has wh- questions except

while)

Subordinate clause + (Subject + verb + object) only in the main

clause

Examples

1. If i see him I will warn him.

I will warn him main clause

I subject + will warn verb + him object

2. Should the rain fall during the night we shall not leave tomorrow

We shall not leave tomorrow main clause

We subject + shall not leave verb + tomorrow object

Sometimes adverb clause can only have

subordinate clause + (subject + verb only.)

Examples

1. If our team wins the match we will celebrate

E.t.c

3. ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

Definition a group of words that function as adjective

How to know adjective clauses

Adjective clauses are identified by

Which, who, whose, whom, reason + why, that

Any concrete nouns + that are said to be adjective clauses .

Many clauses were not well explained. For example

1. If our team will win the match we will celebrate

-Is an adverb clause because it has subordinate clause + (in the
main clause subject we + verb will celebrate)
2. We will celebrate if our team will win
- noun clause (go back to noun clause section)

3. I asked him where he had put the book

- Adverb clause in the main clause (I subject + asked verb + him
object)

4. I asked where he had put the book

- noun clause (subject I + verb asked) in the main clause.

5. She did not tell me reason why she was late

- adjective clauses (reason + why)

6. She did not tell me why she was late

- Adverb clause (subject she + did not tell verb + object me) in the
main clause

7. She did not tell why she was late

- noun clause (subject she + did not tell verb

Done by me KAPALASA F J B any question on clauses get me on

whatsapp on 0885 307 355