Clauses Lecture# 29

Clauses

A clause in English is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

Clauses can express a complete thought (independent clause) or an incomplete

thought (dependent clause).

Kinds of Clauses:
1. Independent Clause:
○ An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
○ It contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought.
○ Example: She loves reading.
2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause):
○ A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
○ It depends on an independent clause to make sense.
○ It usually starts with a subordinating conjunction like because, if, when, etc.
○ Example: Because she loves reading.

Types of Dependent Clauses:

What is a Noun Clause?

• A noun clause is a dependent (subordinate) clause that functions as a noun in a
sentence.
• It can act as a subject, object, or complement.
• Noun clauses often begin with words like that, what, how, who, whether, if,
why, when, where.

Identifying a Noun Clause:

1. Subject:
○ The noun clause acts as the subject of the sentence.
○ Example: What she said surprised everyone.
 Noun Clause: What she said
 It acts as the subject of the verb surprised.
2. Object of a Verb:
○ The noun clause acts as the object of the verb.
○ Example: She knows that he is coming.
 Noun Clause: that he is coming
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 ○
○ Example: She knows that he is coming.
 Noun Clause: that he is coming
 It is the object of the verb knows.
3. Object of a Preposition:
○ The noun clause acts as the object of a preposition.
○ Example: I am interested in what you think.
 Noun Clause: what you think
 It is the object of the preposition in.
4. Subject Complement:
○ The noun clause renames or gives more information about the subject.
○ Example: The problem is that we don't have enough time.
 Noun Clause: that we don’t have enough time
 It complements the subject problem.

Common Wh-Words for Noun Clauses:

• What:
○ I don’t know what he wants.
• Who:
○ They will decide who should lead the team.
• Whom:
○ Do you know whom she invited?
• Which:
○ I can’t remember which book she borrowed.
• When:
○ She told me when the meeting starts.
• Where:
○ They haven’t decided where they will go.
• Why:
○ Can you explain why he didn’t come?
• How:
○ He showed us how he fixed the car.

What is an Adjectival Clause?

• An adjectival clause (also called a relative clause) is a dependent clause that
functions as an adjective in a sentence.
• It modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun and provides more information about
it.
• Adjectival clauses begin with relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose,
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• Adjectival clauses begin with relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose,
which, that, or with relative adverbs like where, when, why.

Relative Pronouns and Relative Adverbs:

• Relative Pronouns:
○ who: for people (subject)
○ whom: for people (object)
○ whose: for possession
○ which: for things
○ that: for people or things
• Relative Adverbs:
○ when: for time
○ where: for place
○ why: for reason

Structures of Adjectival Clauses:

1. Using "Who":
○ Describes a person (as the subject).
○ Example: The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
 Adjectival Clause: who lives next door (modifies the woman).
2. Using "Whom":
○ Describes a person (as the object).
○ Example: The man whom we met yesterday is an artist.
 Adjectival Clause: whom we met yesterday (modifies the man).
3. Using "Whose":
○ Shows possession.
○ Example: The boy whose bike was stolen is my friend.
 Adjectival Clause: whose bike was stolen (modifies the boy).
4. Using "Which":
○ Describes things or animals.
○ Example: The book which I borrowed is very interesting.
 Adjectival Clause: which I borrowed (modifies the book).
5. Using "That":
○ Describes people or things (can replace "who" or "which").
○ Example: The car that he drives is fast.
 Adjectival Clause: that he drives (modifies the car).
6. Using "When":
○ Refers to time.
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  Adjectival Clause: that he drives (modifies the car).
6. Using "When":
○ Refers to time.
○ Example: I remember the day when we first met.
 Adjectival Clause: when we first met (modifies the day).
7. Using "Where":
○ Refers to a place.
○ Example: This is the house where I grew up.
 Adjectival Clause: where I grew up (modifies the house).
8. Using "Why":
○ Refers to a reason.
○ Example: I don’t know the reason why he left early.
 Adjectival Clause: why he left early (modifies the reason).

Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Adjectival Clauses:

1. Restrictive Clause (essential to the meaning of the sentence):
○ No commas are used.
○ Example: The book that I read was fascinating.
 (The clause specifies which book is being talked about.)
2. Non-Restrictive Clause (gives extra information, not essential):
○ Commas are used.
○ Example: My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.
 (The clause adds extra, non-essential information.)

What is an Adverbial Clause?

• An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb in a
sentence.
• It modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, providing additional
information about time, place, reason, condition, purpose, contrast, and
other relationships.
• Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions, which link
them to the main (independent) clause.

Structures of Adverbial Clauses:

Adverbial clauses can describe various relationships, such as time, reason,
condition, contrast, purpose, and manner.

1. Adverbial Clauses of Time:

• Modify the verb by indicating when an action happens.
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1. Adverbial Clauses of Time:
• Modify the verb by indicating when an action happens.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• when, whenever, while, as, after, before, until, as soon as, since
Structure:
• Main clause + [time conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Time conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• I will call you when I arrive.
• After she finished her homework, she watched TV.
• We will wait here until the rain stops.

2. Adverbial Clauses of Reason (Cause and Effect):

• Explain why something happens or the reason behind an action.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• because, since, as, now that
Structure:
• Main clause + [reason conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Reason conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• She was late because she missed the bus.
• I stayed home since it was raining.
• As it was getting dark, we decided to go home.

3. Adverbial Clauses of Condition:

• Describe conditions under which something will happen.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• if, unless, provided that, as long as, in case
Structure:
• Main clause + [condition conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Condition conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• We will go to the beach if the weather is nice.
• Unless you hurry, we will miss the train.
• In case you need help, call me.

4. Adverbial Clauses of Contrast (Concession):

• Express an idea that contrasts with or contradicts the main clause.
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 • Express an idea that contrasts with or contradicts the main clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• although, though, even though, whereas, while
Structure:
• Main clause + [contrast conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Contrast conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• He went out although it was raining.
• Even though she was tired, she finished the project.
• I prefer coffee while my sister likes tea.

5. Adverbial Clauses of Purpose:

• Describe the purpose of an action.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• so that, in order that, lest
Structure:
• Main clause + [purpose conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Purpose conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• He studies hard so that he can pass the exam.
• She left early in order that she could catch the train.

6. Adverbial Clauses of Manner:

• Describe the way or manner in which something happens.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• as, as if, as though
Structure:
• Main clause + [manner conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Manner conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• She acted as if she didn’t care.
• He speaks as though he were an expert.

7. Adverbial Clauses of Place:

• Indicate where an action occurs.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• where, wherever
Structure:
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Subordinating Conjunctions:
• where, wherever
Structure:
• Main clause + [place conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Place conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• You can sit where you like.
• Wherever she goes, she takes her dog with her.

8. Adverbial Clauses of Result:

• Indicate the outcome or result of an action.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
• so that, such that, so... that
Structure:
• Main clause + [result conjunction + subject + verb]
• [Result conjunction + subject + verb], main clause
Examples:
• He was so tired that he couldn’t keep his eyes open.
• The test was so difficult that many students failed.

MCQs on Clauses

1. Identify the type of clause in the following sentence:

"I will call you when I reach home."
A) Noun clause
B) Adjective clause
C) Adverb clause
D) Independent clause

2. Which sentence contains a noun clause?

A) I know where she lives.
B) The girl who won the race is my friend.
C) She left because she was tired.
D) He runs very fast.

3. Identify the dependent clause in this sentence:

"Although it was raining, we continued our game."
A) Although it was raining
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3. Identify the dependent clause in this sentence:
"Although it was raining, we continued our game."
A) Although it was raining
B) We continued our game
C) It was raining
D) Continued our game

4. What type of clause is the underlined part?

"The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting."
A) Noun clause
B) Adverb clause
C) Adjective clause
D) Independent clause

5. Which of the following is an independent clause?

A) Because she was late
B) While I was studying
C) She completed her work on time
D) If you need help

6. Identify the adverb clause in this sentence:

"She left the party early because she was feeling unwell."
A) She left the party early
B) Because she was feeling unwell
C) The party early
D) Feeling unwell

7. Which sentence contains an adjective clause?

A) The boy who sits next to me is very friendly.
B) I like reading books.
C) She left before the meeting ended.
D) He works hard to achieve his dreams.

8. What is the function of the noun clause in this sentence?

"What she said surprised everyone."
A) Subject
B) Object
C) Adjective
D) Adverb

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C) Adjective
D) Adverb

9. Choose the sentence that contains a relative clause.

A) She goes to school every day.
B) The house that we bought last year is very big.
C) I saw him running in the park.
D) The sun sets in the west.

10. Identify the type of clause in this sentence:

"I don’t know why he is angry."
A) Adverb clause
B) Adjective clause
C) Noun clause
D) Independent clause

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