7-What is a clause
- 2. What is a Clause? A clause is a group of related word that contains a subject as well as a verb. A clause is a meaningful combination of words, as it can, alone, express a complete thought. A clause can be a simple sentence. Hence, clause is also sometimes defined as group of words having a subject and predicate. It can also be said that each sentence consists of at least one clause. Read the following simple examples of a clause: He laughed. I am sleeping. He sings song. The dark is barking. The above examples reveal that a clause can be a simple sentence. A clause can also be a part of a compound or complex sentence which consists of more than one clause. Read the following examples: She is crying. (one clause) The patient died. (one clause) I waited for him, but he didn’t come. (two clauses) He is going to college, because he wants to meet his friend. (two clauses) My sister likes Biology, but I like Physics because I want to become an engineer. (three clauses) A clause by definition is a combination of words having both subject and verb. Hence, a part of a simple sentence can also be viewed as a clause. Read the following examples:
- 3. They are laughing at a joker. I saw him in the street. She cooks food in the kitchen. Main Clause & Subordinate Clause A clause is a combination of related words containing a subject and a verb. It can be a simple sentence or a part of a compound sentence. Examples: She laughed. (one clause) I waited for him, but he didn’t come. (two clauses) Clauses have two major types: 1. Independent Clause (Main Clause) 2. Dependant Clause (Subordinate Clause) Understanding ‘Main Clauses & Subordinate Clauses’ Read the following sentence: I saw a man who was crying. The above sentence has two clauses: ‘I saw a man’ and ‘who was crying’. The first clause ‘I saw a man’ gives a complete meaning and can alone stand as a complete sentence. Such a phrase is called Main or Independent clause.
- 4. On the other hand, the second clause ‘who was crying’ does not give a complete meaning and cannot (as alone) stand as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause to give a complete meaning. Such a clause is called Subordinate or Dependent clause. Main or Independent Clause: Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a sentence. Examples I saw a man who was crying. The professor asked many questions but no one could answer. I met a friend who helped me a lot. They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill. He does not like the people who smoke. We met a man who could speak many languages. She loves her husband, who never tells a lie. Subordinate or Dependent Clause: Subordinate clause or Dependence clause is that clause which (as alone part) cannot express a complete meaning. It alone cannot stand as a sentence because it depends on the other clause (independent clause) to give a complete meaning. It serves a subordinate role in the sentence. Examples: I saw a man who was crying. The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
- 5. I met a friend who had helped me a lot. They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill. He does not like the people who smoke. We met a man who could speak many languages. She loves her husband, who never tells a lie. Dependent Clauses have further three types: 1. Noun Clause 2. Adjective Clause 3. Adverb Clause A subordinate clause can act as an adjective, a noun or an adverb in a sentence. There are three types of Subordinate Clause depending upon its function in a sentence: 1. Noun Clause 2. Adverb Clause 3. Adjective Clause NOUN CLAUSE A subordinate clause which acts as a noun in a sentence is called a Noun Clause. It usually starts with words such as ‘that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, whomever’. It acts exactly like a noun in a sentence. It can work as a noun either at the place of a subject or an object. Examples: Whatever we study increases our knowledge. (Noun as a subject) What you eat determines your body-size. (Noun as a subject) I buy whatever I need. (Noun as an object) Now I realized what you had thought. (Noun as an object) ADJECTIVE CLAUSE A subordinate clause which acts as an adjective in a sentence is called an Adjective Clause. Like an adjective, it modifies (add information to) a noun or pronoun in the sentence. An adjective clause mostly starts with relative pronouns such as ‘that, who, whom, whose, which, or whose’.
- 6. Examples: I saw a child who was crying. (modifies noun: child) He hates the people who waste time. (modifies noun: people) I watch a movie which amused me a lot. (modifies noun: movie) The car, which I like, consumes less fuel. (modifies noun: car ) The building, where he lives, consists of many apartments. (modifies noun: building ) ADVERB CLAUSE A subordinate clause which acts as an adverb in a sentence is called an Adverb Clause. Like an adverb, it modifies a verb, an adjective-clause or another adverb clause in the sentence. It modifies (add information to) a verb (action) of the main clause in terms of ‘time, frequency (i.e. how often), condition, cause and effect; and intensity (i.e. extent). It mostly uses the following subordinating conjunctions: Time: when, whenever, since, until, before, after, while, as, by the time, as soon as Cause and effect: because, since, now that, as long as, so, so that, Contrast: although, even, whereas, while, though Condition: if, unless, only if, whether or not, even if, providing or provided that, in case Examples: Call me when you need my help. (modifies verb: call) Unless you avoid sugar, you can’t lose weight. (modifies verb: lose weight) The patient had died before the doctor reached. (modifies verb: die) You live a happy life as long as you think positively. (modifies verb: live) I worked in a factory while I was living in London. (modifies verb: work) You can succeed in life provided that you are sincere to your work. (modifies verb: succeed)