Clauses

A clause is a group of words with its own subject and verb.

There are two basic kinds of clauses:

Independent clause - can stand by itself as a complete sentence
Subordinate clause - cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence; only part of a
sentence

Note: Clauses can play a variety of roles in sentences. A clause can act as a noun, an adjective,
or an adverb.

The Relative Clause/ Adjectival Clause

A relative clause, also called an adjective or adjectival clause, will meet three requirements:

● It will contain a subject and verb.

● It will begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, that, or which) or a relative
adverb (when, where, or why).
● It will function as an adjective, answering the questions: What kind? How many? Or
Which one?

Examples of Relative Clause

1. To calm his angry girlfriend, Joey offered an apology which Francine did not accept.
2. We tried our luck at the same flea market where George found Amazing Spider-Man
#96 in fair condition.
3. Michelle screamed when she saw the spider that dangled from one clean bathroom
towel.

Noun Clause

A noun clause is a clause that plays a role of a noun.

A noun clause can act as the subject of a verb.

● What Alicia said made her friends cry.

● What Megan wrote surprised her family.
● How the boy behaved was not very polite.
A noun clause can also act as the direct object of a verb.

● She didn’t realize that the directions were wrong.

● He didn’t know why the stove wasn’t working.
● They now understand that you should not cheat on a test.

A noun clause can also serve as a subject complement.

● Carlie’s problem was that she didn’t practice enough.

● Harry’s crowning achievement at school was when he became class president.
● Darla’s excuse for being late was that she forgot to set her alarm.

A noun clause can also act as objects of a preposition.

● Harry is not the best provider of what Maggie needs.

● Josephine is not responsible for what Alex decided to do.
● Allie is the owner of that blue car parked outside.

Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is a group of words that function as an adverb in a sentence.

Adverb Clause at the Beginning of a Sentence

● Whether you like it or not, you have to go to bed now.

● Unless you run fast, you will miss the bus.
● Although she has a business degree, she is working as a retail clerk.

Adverb Clause in the Middle of a Sentence

● My sister, when she is angry, will turn red in the face.

● Elephants, although they are large, are not predators.
● Chocolate, because it has a low melting point, can be difficult to bake with.

Adverb Clause at the End of a Sentence

● You must keep practicing the song until you get it right.
● Give us a call when you get back from your trip.
● We need to find the bar where they asked us to wait.