CLAUSES
Asst. Prof. Seema Patil-Koshti
CLAUSES
A clause includes a subject and a verb. Sentences consist of one or more
clauses. Clauses are generally divided into two main categories:
independent clauses, which can stand alone as a full sentence, and
dependent clauses, which cannot.
Example:
Rahman likes songs that are melodious.
When the postman arrives, I am writing.
I attended the class, although I wasn't feeling well.
The students finished their homework, because they wanted to play outside.
GRAMMATICAL CLAUSES
Definition: A clause is a fundamental grammatical unit consisting of a subject and a
verb.
Types of Clauses:
Independent Clauses: Contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. It can function as a
complete sentence.
Example: 1) I like pizza. 2) The cat sat on the mat.
Dependent Clauses (or Subordinate Clauses): Contains a subject and verb but does not express a
complete thought. It often begins with a subordinating conjunction, like "when," "because," or "if“.
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot
stand alone as a sentence.
Example: 1) "when it rains". 2) "Because it was raining’’
TYPES OF DEPENDENT CLAUSES
DEPENDENT CLAUSES ARE CLASSIFIED BY THEIR
FUNCTION
1. 1. Noun clauses
2. 2. Adjective clauses
3. 3. Adverb clauses
4. 4. Conditional clauses
1.
NOUN CLAUSE
Noun Clause: A noun clause is a type of subordinate clause that acts as a noun in a sentence. It can act as a subject,
object, or complement for the main clause.
2. Noun clauses often begin with words like “that,” “whether,” “if,” “what,” “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “when,” “where,”
"that," "what," "who," "whether," or “why.”
3. Example: 1) What she said surprised me. 2) I know who took my book.
Subject:- The clause is the subject of Noun Clauses as Objects:
the sentence.
- I have been wondering ifI should take an auto.
- Whatever you decide is fine .
- Does anyone know where I could find a clinic?
- That he was late surprised everyone.
- What amuses my son is always surprising. - When my dog goes to doggy day care, I do not know what
- How we would finish the assignment on he does, but he always has the best time.
time is still a question. - She chose to photograph whomever was willing to
- Why my pet turtle stares at me all day is pose for her.
beyond me.
NOUN CLAUSE
Noun Clauses as Subject Nouns Clauses as Objects of Prepositions:
Complements:
- Actors can become whomever they •You will have to be ready to face the
want to be on the stage. consequences of whatever decision you make.
- This was exactly what I was looking •Priya would be happy with anything we give
for. her.
- A tub of tender coconut ice cream is •I like to keep a schedule of when I have
what I need now. upcoming appointments.
- Her main goal is to become a doctor. She gave me a book that she had written.
- The problem was that the plane was He was angry because he had missed the train.
delayed.
RELATIVE CLAUSE
A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that modifies a noun in the
main sentence. It adds extra information or identifies the noun it describes.
1. Common Relative Pronouns
2. * Who/Whom/Whose: Used for people.
3. "The woman who I met was wearing a brown hat".
4. "The person to whom I spoke was very helpful".
5. "He is the student whose work is the best".
6. * Which: Used for things or animals.
7. "The umbrella which I bought is already broken".
8. "The book, which was on the table, is mine".
RELATIVE CLAUSE
1. * That: Used for people or things, often in defining clauses.
2. "The police arrested a man that Jill worked with".
3. "An elephant is an animal that lives in hot countries".
4. * Where: Used for places.
5. "They live in a house where the roof is full of holes".
6. * When: Used for times or occasions.
7. "We met on the day when I graduated".
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE (ALSO CALLED RELATIVE CLAUSE)
1. Adjective Clause (also called Relative Clause): Modifies a noun or pronoun, often introduced by
words like "who," "whom," "which," "that," or "whose“
2. Example:
3. - The book that I borrowed is very interesting.
4. - The car which is parked outside is mine.
5. - The man who stole the wallet was caught. (Modifies "man" and tells us which man)
- The movie, which was recommended by my friend, was excellent. (Modifies "movie" and gives
extra information)
- I love the cafe where we first met. (Modifies "cafe" and tells us which one)
- The car that has a dent needs to be repaired. (Modifies "car" and identifies it)
- She bought the dress whose design was unique. (Modifies "dress" to show possession or
relation)
- Here is the reason why she was late. (Modifies "reason")
ADVERB CLAUSE
These noun clauses function as an adverb in a sentence, modifying the verb, adjective, or another adverb by
providing information such as time, place, reason, manner, condition, or contrast and introduced by
subordinating conjunctions like "because," "although," "since," "if," "when," etc.
For example:
-We will go to the beach when the weather improves.
- She cried as if her heart was broken.
- He stayed home because he was sick.
- She speaks English as fluently as her native language.
- I will only buy the car if it has low mileage.
- He walks slowly in contrast to his brother who runs fast.
- I will call you when I arrive.
- She smiled because she was happy.
CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
1. A form of adverb clause that sets out a condition, often starting with if
or unless.
2. Examples:
3. - If it rains, we will stay inside.
4. - I will be back in an hour unless there is heavy traffic.
5. - If you heat ice, it melts.
6. - If my cat is hungry, then she will rub my leg.
7. - If you ask, I will help you.
8. - If it gets colder, we'll light a fire.