CLAUSES AND

ITS TYPES
 DEFINITION
• A clause is defined as a group of words which contain a subject, finite
verb and forms part of a sentence.
Example
Raman said that he was tired.
PHRASE VS CLAUSE

PHRASE
CLAUSE
Does not contain a subject and a contains a subject and a verb and
is
verb and is meaningless. the sentence is
meaningful.
Eg.- The man at the North Pole… eg.- I have a box which is
filled with
almonds.
 KINDS OF CLAUSES
Clauses are of two kinds:-

INDEPENDENT/MAIN CLAUSE
DEPENDENT/SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
 INDEPENDENT VS DEPENDENT
A clause that has a subject and a A clause that is a part of a sentence
predicate and makes complete sense is but cannot stand on its own is called a
called a main or an independent clause. subordinate or dependent clause. They
are dependent on the main clause to complete its meaning.
Example- This is my book. Example- Take a look at the picture
which is on the wall.
TYPES OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
There are three types of Subordinate clauses:-
1. NOUN CLAUSES
2. ADJECTIVE / RELATIVE CLAUSES
3. ADVERB CLAUSES
 NOUN CLAUSES
• Noun clause does the work of a noun. It answers the
question ‘WHAT?’ before or after the verb in the main
clause.
• It usually begins with a conjunction: that, if, whether, etc. or
with interrogatives such as- what, why, how, when or where.
• It could act as the subject or object of the verb in the
sentence.
Example-
• We all wondered whether it would rain.(object)
• Raman said that he was tired.(object)
• How the thief got in is a mystery. (subject)
 ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
• An adjective clause gives more information about a noun in the main clause. They are also called Relative
clauses.
• It answers the question ‘which?’
• They usually begins with the words- which, that, who, whom, or whose.
• They are sometimes introduced by ‘when’ or ‘where’
Example-
• The man who is standing at the gate is a writer.
• Take me to a place where we get Chinese food.
• The girl whom you saw last night is my sister.
• She will always remember the day when the accident happened.
 ADVERB CLAUSES (1/2)
• An adverb clause does the work of an adverb. It modifies a verb, an
adjective or an adverb.
Example-
He has been unhappy since he failed the test.
There are several kinds of adverb clauses:
• Adverb clauses of Manner: They are introduced by ‘as if’, ‘as though’,
‘as’.
Example- He behaves as if he is always right.
• Adverb clauses of Time: They are introduced by ‘when’, ‘while’,
‘since’, ‘after’, ‘before’, ‘as soon as’, ‘whenever’, ‘till’, ‘as long as.’
Example- The children run as soon as the bell rings.
 ADVERB CLAUSES (2/2)
• Adverb clauses of Place: They are introduced by ‘where’ and ‘wherever’.
Example- You can go wherever you like to.
• Adverb clauses of Purpose: They are introduced by ‘that’, ‘so that’, ‘lest’, ‘in order that’.
Example-I studied hard so that I would learn.
Walk carefully lest should fall down.
• Adverb clauses of Reason: They are introduced by ‘because’, ‘as’, ‘since’, ‘now that’, ‘that’.
Example-Swami does well in every exam because he works hard.
• Adverb clauses of Condition: They are introduced by ‘if’, ‘unless’, ‘in case’, ‘whether’ and
‘provided’.
Example-You can go to the tour, provided you pay half the money.
 RECAPITULATION
• A clause is a group of words with a subject and its finite verb.
• There are mainly three kinds of clauses:
a. A noun clause is a group of words which has a subject and a predicate of its
own, and does the work of a noun.
b. An adjective clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate and
does the work of an adjective.
c. An adverb clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate and
does the work of an adverb.
 EXERCISE
• Underline the clauses in the following sentences and state their kind:
1. My brother who lives in Paris is a pilot.
2. You seem very happy, when you help other people.
3. Raman said that he wasn’t feeling well.
4. While you wait, we will detail your car.
5. That the committee is not interested in the offer is known to us.
6. The boy standing near the building is my son.
7. When her daughter was old enough, she took her to a school.
8. He ate nothing as the food was not tasty.
9. If you finish your holiday homework, you can go to the circus.
10. Here is the ball that you have been looking for.
 ANSWERS
1. who lives in Paris – Adjective Clause
2. when you help other people- Adverb Clause
3. that he wasn’t feeling well- Noun Clause
4. While you wait- Adverb Clause
5. That the committee is not interested- Noun Clause
6. standing near the building- Adjective Clause
7. When her daughter was old enough-Adverb Clause
8. as the food was not tasty- Adverb Clause
9. If you finish your holiday homework- Adverb Clause
10. that you have been looking for- Adjective Clause