A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb) and functions as a complete thought or idea within a sentence. Clauses are the building blocks of sentences and can be categorized into different types based on their role and structure within a sentence.
The three main types of clauses are:
1.Principal Clause (Independent Clause):
A principal clause, also known as an independent clause, can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought and contains both a subject and a predicate.
Example: "She went to the store."
2. Subordinate Clause (Dependent Clause):
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. It relies on the principal clause for context and meaning. Subordinate clauses often start with subordinating conjunctions like "because," "although," "if," "while," etc.
Example: "Because she was out of milk, she went to the store."
In this sentence, "Because she was out of milk" is a subordinate clause, and "she went to the store" is the principal clause.
3.Coordinate Clause:
A coordinate clause is an independent clause that is connected to another independent clause in the same sentence. These clauses are of equal importance and are typically joined by coordinating conjunctions such as "and," "but," "or," "for," "nor," "so," or "yet."
Example: "She went to the store, and she bought some groceries."
In this sentence, "She went to the store" and "she bought some groceries" are both coordinate clauses, connected by the coordinating conjunction "and."
Types of Subordinate Clause
Subordinate clauses, also known as dependent clauses, are parts of sentences that cannot stand alone as complete sentences because they do not express a complete thought. They depend on the main clause (independent clause) to form a complete sentence. Subordinate clauses are classified into different types based on their functions and the relationships they establish with the main clause. Some common types of subordinate clauses include:
Noun Clause:
A noun clause functions as a noun within a sentence, often acting as the subject, object, or complement. It can begin with words such as "that," "how," "what," "whatever," "whoever," "whichever," "where," "when," "why," "whether," or "if."
Example: "What he said was unexpected."
Adjective Clause (Relative Clause):
An adjective clause functions as an adjective within a sentence, providing additional information about a noun or pronoun. It typically begins with a relative pronoun such as "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that."
Example: "The book that is on the table is mine."
Adverbial Clause:
An adverbial clause functions as an adverb within a sentence, providing information about time, place, manner, condition, reason, purpose, or contrast. It often begins with subordinating conjunctions such as "when," "where," "because," "if," "although," "since," "while," "as," and "until."
Example: "After he finished his homework, he went to bed."
Noun Clause
Noun clauses are dependent clauses that function as nouns within a sentence. They can serve various purposes, such as acting as the subject, object, or complement. Here are some common types of noun clauses with examples:
1. Subject Noun Clause:
A subject noun clause acts as the subject of the main clause.
Example: What she said surprised me.
In this sentence, "What she said" serves as the subject of the main clause.
2. Object Noun Clause:
An object noun clause functions as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition within the main clause.
Example: She knows what he did.
In this sentence, "what he did" serves as the direct object of the main clause.
3. Complement Noun Clause:
A complement noun clause acts as a subject complement (predicate nominative) or object complement (predicate accusative) and completes the meaning of a verb or a subject.
Example (subject complement): His wish is that he becomes a doctor.
Example (object complement): We elected her as our captain.
4. Appositive Noun Clause:
An appositive noun clause renames or explains a preceding noun or pronoun.
Example: The rumor, that she is leaving, is false.
In this sentence, "that she is leaving" is an appositive noun clause that explains "the rumor."
5. Direct Object Noun Clause:
A direct object noun clause acts as the direct object of the main clause's verb.
Example: She asked where they were going.
In this sentence, "where they were going" serves as the direct object of the verb "asked."
6.Indirect Object Noun Clause:
An indirect object noun clause functions as the indirect object of the main clause's verb.
Example: I gave whoever needed it some advice.
In this sentence, "whoever needed it" serves as the indirect object of the verb "gave."
7.Object of Preposition Noun Clause:
An object of preposition noun clause acts as the object of a preposition within the main clause.
Example: He is responsible for what happened.
In this sentence, "what happened" is the object of the preposition "for."
Adjective Clause
Adjective clauses, also known as relative clauses, are dependent clauses that function as adjectives within a sentence. They provide additional information about a noun in the main clause. Adjective clauses typically begin with relative pronouns (e.g., who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (e.g., where, when, why). Here are some common types of adjective clauses with examples:
1. Defining (Restrictive) Adjective Clause:
A defining adjective clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies, and without it, the sentence's meaning would be unclear.
Example: The person who called you is my cousin.
In this sentence, "who called you" defines which person is being referred to.
2. Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) Adjective Clause:
A non-defining adjective clause provides additional information about the noun it modifies, but its removal would not change the overall meaning of the sentence.
Example: My uncle, who lives in London, is an architect.
In this sentence, "who lives in London" adds extra information about the uncle but is not essential to identifying him.
3. Adjective Clause of Time:
An adjective clause of time provides information about when or at what time something occurred or will occur.
Example: The day when we met was unforgettable.
In this sentence, "when we met" describes the specific time when the meeting took place.
4. Adjective Clause of Place:
An adjective clause of place provides information about where something happened or is located.
Example: The house where I grew up is in the countryside.
In this sentence, "where I grew up" describes the specific place of the house.
5. Adjective Clause of Reason:
An adjective clause of reason explains why something occurred or why a particular action was taken.
Example: The reason why he resigned is a mystery.
In this sentence, "why he resigned" provides the reason for his resignation.
6. Adjective Clause of Manner:
An adjective clause of manner describes how something is done or the way in which an action is carried out.
Example: She spoke in a manner that surprised everyone.
In this sentence, "that surprised everyone" describes the manner in which she spoke.
7.Adjective Clause of Purpose:
An adjective clause of purpose indicates the intended purpose or goal behind an action.
Example: I need a pen that I can write with.
In this sentence, "that I can write with" specifies the purpose for which the pen is needed.
Adverbial Clause
Adverbial clauses, also known as adverb clauses, are dependent clauses that function as adverbs within a sentence. They provide information about when, where, why, how, or to what extent an action in the main clause occurs. Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions. Here are some common types of adverbial clauses with examples:
1. Time Adverbial Clause:
A time adverbial clause provides information about when an action in the main clause takes place.
Example: She arrived when the party was almost over.
In this sentence, "when the party was almost over" tells us the time of her arrival.
2. Place Adverbial Clause:
A place adverbial clause provides information about where an action in the main clause occurs.
Example: They stayed where the view was best.
In this sentence, "where the view was best" describes the location of their stay.
3. Reason (Cause) Adverbial Clause:
A reason adverbial clause explains why an action in the main clause occurred.
Example: He left because he was feeling unwell.
In this sentence, "because he was feeling unwell" gives the reason for his departure.
4. Purpose Adverbial Clause:
A purpose adverbial clause indicates the intended purpose or goal behind an action in the main clause.
Example: She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.
In this sentence, "so that she could pass the exam" explains the purpose of her hard studying.
5. Condition Adverbial Clause:
A condition adverbial clause sets a condition or situation under which an action in the main clause will occur.
Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.
In this sentence, "if it rains" introduces the condition for staying indoors.
6. Concession Adverbial Clause:
A concession adverbial clause acknowledges a contrasting idea or condition related to the action in the main clause.
Example: Although he tried his best, he didn't win the race.
In this sentence, "although he tried his best" introduces a concession to the fact that he didn't win.
7.Comparison (Comparison of Manner) Adverbial Clause:
A comparison adverbial clause shows how the action in the main clause is similar to or different from another action.
Example: She sings as if she were an opera singer.
In this sentence, "as if she were an opera singer" makes a comparison between her singing and that of an opera singer.
8.Result (Effect) Adverbial Clause:
A result adverbial clause indicates the consequence or effect of the action in the main clause.
Example: The dog barked so loudly that everyone woke up.
In this sentence, "so loudly that everyone woke up" shows the result of the dog's loud barking.