Clauses

Clauses

Subordinate Clause:
Main Clause:
It contains a subject and a verb,
Main Clause is a clause that
but it needs to be attached to
contains a subject and an object.
the main clause as it cannot
It forms a complete sentence on
make sense on its own.
its own.

Difference between a phrase and a clause:

Phrases: No verb, no subject,

Uses verbals, use abstract nouns
(gerund, participles, infinitives, look like verbs but not verbs)

Clauses: have verb + subject,

Can’t be independent or subordinate.
The minute you introduce a verb into a phrase it becomes a clause.

I went to the market when I returned from school.

Main clause | subordinator | subordinate clause

Main Clause
- I went to the market.

Subordinate Clause
- When I returned from school.

Subordinator
To subordinate (dependent) one sentence to another, use a connecting word called
a subordinator.

- when
 I first met her in Bangalore where I lived as a small child.
Main clause | subordinator | subordinate clause

Main Clause
- I first met her in Bangalore.

Subordinate Clause
- where I lived as a small child.

Subordinator
- where
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Which add who is (verb) phrase

Eg – The girl in the pink dress is my sister actually I only want to tell you.

- The girl is my sister – main clause

- In the pink dress – phrase
- add verd (who is) and it becomes a clause
- when you ask a question – which – adjective clause
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Tips to identify phrases and clauses

1. Noun clause:

Ask – to verb – What?

You get the answer, it is noun phrase or noun clause.

What? Noun Clause (verb going)

a. He asked where I was going?

what
b. I expect to get a prize.
what
c. I don’t know where the concert is.
 2. Adjective Clause:

Ask – to noun – Who? Whom? Which?

Ask questions to a noun not a verb the adjective is connected to a noun,

You get the answer, it is an adjective phrase or an adjective clause.

- In an adjective clause and adverb clause often starts with a preposition (eg: in the)
that’s why you don’t get the direct answer, because they have adjectival function.
Noun which?
a. The place where the grass grows is banned.
Adjective clause (verb – grows)
The place is banned – main clause

Noun which
b. The umbrella with the broken handle is mine.
The umbrella is mine – main clause

c. He met a girl with blue eyes.

Noun which
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3. Adverb Clause:

Ask – to verb – when? Where? Why? On what condition? Despite what?

You get the answer –

It is adverb clause

- Time – when?
- Place – where?
- Manner – how?
- Reason – why?
- Result/ Consequences
- Condition

where
- He went where no one went before during the recess.
Adverb clause of time (went – verb) adverb phrase of time (no verb)
i. Adverb Clause of time:
Adverb Clause of time are introduced by the subordinating conjunctions – when,
whenever, while, before, after. since, as, etc,

Ask question – When? – to verb

Answer is the underlined clause
when
a. When you have finished your work you may go.
when
b. The doctor always comes whenever he is sent for.
when
c. Don’t talk while she is singing.
when
d. Do it before you forget.
when
e. He disappeared after he saw the police.
when
f. I have not been well since I returned from Chennai.
when
g. There was silence as the leader spoke.
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ii Adverb clause of Place:

Adverb Clause of place are usually introduced by the conjunctions – wherever,
everywhere, anywhere, where, etc.

Ask question – Where?

where
a. I have put it where I can find it again.
where
b. Where you live I will live.
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iii. Adverb Clause of Manner:

Adverb Clause of manner are usually introduced by the conjunctions – however,
as if, as though, like etc.

Ask question – How?

how
a. It all ended as I expected.
 how
b.She speaks as if she owns everyone.

how
c. You can cook however you like.
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iv. Adverb Clause of Reason:

Adverb Clause of reason are usually introduced by the conjunctions – because,
as if, since, that, so that, as a result, as

Ask question – Why?

why
a. I teach English because I love it.

why
b. He didn’t come to my office since it was raining.
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v. Adverb Clause of Result/ Consequences:

Adverb Clause of Result / consequences are usually introduced by the
conjunctions – so that, such that, etc.

The winds were so strong that we could not set sail.

Sometimes words like ‘so that’ and ‘such that’ are placed separately with
one word appearing in the Main Clause and the other appearing in the
adverb clause.

Eat your food quickly so that you can go to sleep.

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vi. Adverb Clause of Condition:

Adverb Clause of condition are usually introduced by the conjunctions – if,
unless, provided that, provided, as long as, whether, in case, on condition, etc.
a. You can go provided you finish your homework.
b. If I get a holiday, we can go boating on Saturday.
c. Unless you do your homework, you can’t watch TV.

Sometimes the conjunction is omitted in an adverb clause of condition.

d. Had you listened to me, this would not have happened.

Is as same as
d. If you had listened to me, this would not have happened.

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