TYPES OF CLAUSES

IN ENGLISH
 What is a clause?
• A clause is a part of a sentence.
• A clause is a group of words that has subject and predicate. Every
complete sentence is made up of at least one or more clause(s). Following
are clause examples:-
• John bought a new car. (One sentence, one clause)
• John bought a new car, but he is using his old car. (One sentence, two
clauses)
 Types of Clauses
• Every clause has at least a subject and a verb. Clauses have some
characteristics that help to distinguish one type of clause from another.
Clauses are of following types:-
• Independent Clauses (Main Clause)
• Dependent Clauses (Subordinate Clause)
Sam never saves any money although he earns a good salary
MC SC
 Independent Clauses (Main Clause)
• An independent (or main clause) is a complete sentence. It contains a
subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in context and
meaning. It expresses a complete thought.
• Independent clause structure: Subject + Verb = Complete Thought.
• For example: She walked. (This sentence contains only two words but it is
still complete because it has subject and predicate)
Dependent Clauses (Subordinate Clause)

• A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is part of a sentence; it contains a

subject and verb but does not convey complete sense. They can make sense
on their own, but, they are dependent on the rest of the sentence for context
and meaning. A dependent clause is joined to an independent clause to form

a complex sentence. It often starts with a subordinating

conjunction.
Dependent Clauses (Subordinate Clause)
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
after although as because
before even if even though if
once provided that rather than so that
since though than that
until unless whenever when
whereas where whether while

• Dependent clause structure: Subordinate Conjunction + Subject + Verb = Incomplete Thought.

• Examples: Whenever I go to superstore, I buy chips.
• .
 ADVERB CLAUSE CONNECTORS
TIME
• After, before, as, long as, as soon as, by the time, once, since, until, when, whenever, while

Cause
• Because, since, as, in, as much as, now that

Contrast
• Although, even though, though, while, whereas

Condition
• If, unless, in case, provided, providing, whether or not, even if, only if
 KIND OF VERB+ING
• I am reading a book = Verb
• Reading a book is my hobby = gerund (Verb+ing) =
noun(singular/plural)
Verb

Gerund
Participles
(as noun)

Present
Past (as verb tenses or
adjective)
 Gerunds = noun

• Travelling can be expensive (subject)

• The family enjoys travelling (direct noun)
• Jack was tired of travelling (object of preposition)
 Present Participles (verb / adjective)

• Carol is traveling to Australia (verb)

• You will be traveling by train (verb)
• The traveling salesman arrived in town (adjective)
 Practice:
• The boy was riding home.

• Jane love writing scary stories.

• Cooking on the campfire is fun.

• The class watched an interesting movie.

• After sitting home all day, I was bored

• Working under the scorching sun is tiring

• I am beginning to enjoy country music

• Staring at people is rude.