Text analysis
Clauses
A clause is a group of words which contains a
subject and a verb but it is not complete like a
sentence. It does the work of a noun, an adjective
or an adverb.
Noun Clauses
I expect to get a prize. (Expect what?)(Noun
Phrase)
I expect that I will get a prize (Expect what?)
(Noun Clause)
Noun Clause (Formation)
Relative Pronoun + S + Verb
Point out the noun clauses in the
following sentences.
1. I often wonder how you are getting on.
Subject =I
Main verb = wonder
Often = adverb of frequency
Object = how you’re getting on = Noun Clause
Point out the noun clauses in the
following sentences.
That you should say this is very strange.
That you should say this = Subject = Noun Clause
is = Main Verb
strange = Adjective complement
very = adverb modifying the adjective ‘strange’
Point out the noun clauses in the
following sentences.
How the burglar got in and stole my belongings is still
a mystery.
How the burglar got in and stole my belongings =
Noun Clause = Subject
is = verb
mystery = a noun complement
A = an article before the noun ‘mystery’
still = an adverb of time adding to the verb ‘is’
Complete the following sentences by
adding ‘Noun Clauses’
1. I cannot understand what you are talking about.
2. This is just what I meant.
3. I do not know what I actually wanted at that time.
4. You forget that you’re still a student.
5. He was pleased with what I gave.
6. I think that you’re right.
7. He told me that he was sick.
8. Will you tell me how I can solve this problem.
9. It’s certain that we will win this time.
Adjective Clauses
The umbrella with a broken handle is mine.
The umbrella which has a broken handle is mine.
Umbrella = Subject
Is = Main verb
Mine = Predicate
Which has a broken handle = Adjective Clause
Adverb Clauses
I have not been happy since I returned from
England.
I = subject
Have not been = main verb
Happy = adjective complement
Since I returned from England = adverb clause of
time
Can you underline Noun Clauses, Adjective Clauses and Adverb Clauses in the text
below?
Homelessness
Given the nature of their lifestyle, statistics on the number of
homeless people are difficult to obtain. Despite this, the latest research
shows that in London the number of people who find themselves
in this situation is rising. The figure now stands at 45,00 and the recession
is responsible to some extent for this increase. Unemployment causes
relationships to break down, leading to one member of the household
being forced to leave. According to Bowcott, economic stress
increases levels of alcohol abuse, which can put at risk an individual’s
ability to maintain a job and a tenancy. The situation has been made
worse by the presence among the newly unemployed of economic
migrants, who are not necessarily familiar with UK support systems.
Simpson (2010) notes the high proportion of young people from the
Eastern European accession countries among the homeless population.
Apart from their obvious economic problems, such people find it
psychologically difficult to return home.
Can you underline Noun Clauses, Adjective Clauses and Adverb Clauses in the text
below?
Homelessness
Given the nature of their lifestyle, statistics on the number of
homeless people are difficult to obtain. Despite this, the latest research
shows that in London the number of people who find themselves
in this situation is rising. The figure now stands at 45,00 and the recession is
responsible to some extent for this increase. Unemployment causes relationships to
break down, leading to one member of the household being forced to leave.
According to Bowcott, economic stress increases levels of alcohol abuse, which can
put at risk an individual’sability to maintain a job and a tenancy.
The situation has been made worse by the presence among the newly unemployed of
economic migrants, who are not necessarily familiar with UK support systems.
Simpson (2010) notes that the high proportion of young people from the Eastern
European accession countries among the homeless population. Apart from their
obvious economic problems, such people find it psychologically difficult to return
home because they have become used to the situations in the new place .
Homework
1. Will you wait ______________
2. Do not go _________
3. He always does _________
4. He is not so clever __________
5. He ran so fast ___________
6. He finished first ________
7. I bought a flower _________
8. ____________ doesn’t make sense to me.
9. He fled __________
10. You may sit _____________.
Sentence Analysis
When I gazed towards the sea, I could discern
nothing but sky and water but looking over the
land I saw something white, which was coming
down and I took whatever provision I had and
went towards the object, which was so distant
that at first I could not distinguish what it was.