CLAUSES

Clauses
A clause, just like a phrase, is a series of words
arranged systematically to make meaning,
however, unlike a phrase, a clause contains a
subject and a predicate. A clause can function as
a sentence by itself or part of the sentence.
Two main classifications of clauses

Main Clause

Subordinate Clause
 A. Main Clause
A main clause is an independent clause.
It has a subject and a predicate which could be a
verb or a verb phrase, thus, it conveys a
complete sense. A main clause can stand by
itself as a discrete sentence. When main clause is
separated from other clauses, it is usually not
referred as a clause but a sentence.
 Examples
He ran fast.

He loves running and he runs fast.

He is not an athlete but he runs

fast.
 Every sentence must have at least one main clause. In the
sentences above, each clause expresses a complete thought so
they considered main clauses. Main clauses can be combined to
form a larger unit. Two main clauses are usually joined by a
coordinating conjunction, which is not part of any of the clauses as
shown below:
1. He ran fast.
S+ VP sentence

main clause
2. He loves running and he runs fast.
S + VP S + VP sentence

main clause main clause

3. He is not an athlete but he runs fast.
S + VP S + VP sentence

main clause main clause

 Further, the subject and
predicate of the main • He loves running and he
clauses could be simple or runs fast.
compound. (simple subject and simple predicate)
Examples:
• He ran fast. • He loves and goes
(simple subject and simple predicate) running everyday.
• He ran fast and quickly. (simple subject and compound predicate)
(simple subject and compound
adjective in predicate)
• He and I love and go biking
• He and I ran fast and everyday,
quickly. and we run fast and steady.
(compound subject and
(combination)
compound adjective in predicate)
 B. Subordinate
Clause
A subordinate clause is a dependent
clause.
Although it still has a subject and a
predicate, it cannot stand on its
own as a sentence and need a main
clause to be complete.
 • He ran fast,
because he didn't want to
Examples be caught.

• She was the woman whom

he made a promise to.

• I was finishing my work when you

arrived.
 Let us take a look
further at these
sentences:

1. He ran fast, because he didn't want to be caught.

S + VP Conj. +S + VP sentence

main clause
subordinate clause
 3. I was finishing my work when you arrived.
S + VP
Conj. +S + VP

main clause subordinate clause

2. She was the woman whom he made a promise to.

S + VP Conj. +S + VP

main clause subordinate clause

 Subordination makes one clause into a
subordinate element. Its meaning is
dependent on the other clause in the
sentence. A subordinating conjunction
usually introduces the subordinate clause
such as because, whom, when and etc.
C. Relative Clause
Relative clause are clauses
introduced by a relative pronoun
such as
that, who, which, whoever,
whom, whomever, whichever,
and whose.
They are dependent clauses.
 • The people, who
who work in the
Examples
city hall, are not very friendly.

• A thief is a person who steals

other's property.

• The man, who

who phoned, did not
give his name.
 It is noted that a clause whether it is independent or
dependent should always have a subject and a verb
phrase or predicate. In relative clauses the relative
pronoun is the subject, which the verb relates to.

1. A thief is a person who steals other's property.

S + VP
S (RP) + VP

Independent clauses
Dependent clause
 Relative clause

2. The man, who phoned, did not give his name.

Subject of the independent clause

Predicate of the independent clause

"Who steals other's property" and "who phoned"

are both relative clauses introduced by the relative
pronoun who, which serves as the subject of the
clause.
 When an independent clause is
constructed as a dependent relative clause,
the relative clause functions as modifier.
This functions as an adjective clause.

Examples: • The woman was carrying a purse.

The purse that the woman carrying......
• You wanted the book.
The book that you wanted .....
• We believed in some people.
Some people whom we believed in.....
 Relative clause are main clause
modifiers. Some relative clauses have
the ability to change the clause they
modify. Morever they can modify the
entire clause or series of clauses.
A relative clause that
modifies the entire clause is
called sentential clause.
 Examples
• Jane did not attend the school, which
surprised her teachers.

• Jane did not attend the school, and she did not
even, bother, to call, which surprised her teachers.
The relative clause in the first sentence "which surprised her
teacher",refers to Jane's not attending school. In the second
sentence the same clause could be about Jane's not attending
school, or her not calling school, or refers to both.
Thank you and
God bless