CLAUSES

AND ITS TYPES

CLAUSES
The smallest grammatical unit that can express a complete
proposition. It contains a subject and a verb. There are two
kinds of clauses: independent and dependent.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
A group of words that can stand on its own as a sentence: it
has a subject, a verb, and is a complete thought.
Examples
They dance under the rain
Where is your sister?
DEPENDENT CLAUSES
A group of words that contains a subject and a verb, but it is not a
complete thought. Because it is not a complete thought, a dependent
clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence; it is dependent on being
attached to an independent clause to form a sentence.
Examples
Because I woke up late this morning… (what happened?)
When we arrived in class… (what occurred?)
If my neighbor does not pay his rent on time… (what will happen?)
DEPENDENT CLAUSES: TYPES
Dependent clauses can be divided in other type of clauses
such as:
Adverb clauses
Noun clauses
Relative clauses
Participle clauses
ADVERB CLAUSES
A clause that functions as an adverb. They tell why, where,
when or what happens in a sentence.
They are frequently movable within the sentence.
Example:
When the timer rings, we know the cake is done. OR
We know the cake is done when the timer rings.
 ADVERB CLAUSES
TYPE QUESTION ANSWERED EXAMPLE
Place Where? Where there are computers, there is
Microsoft software.
Time When? After the fruit is harvest, it is sold at
the marker.
Cause Why? (what caused this?) I didn’t call her because I am shy.

Purpose What was the reason for doing this? She took a computer course so that
she could not get a better job.
Concession Why is this unexpected? Although Jay has a master degree, he
works as a store clerk.
Condition Under what conditions? If you save your money, you will be
able to go to college.
 Adverb clauses are always introduced by a
subordinating conjunction
Kind of clause Common conjunction Function Example
TIME After, before, when, while are used to say when Her father died when she was
something happens young.
As, as soon as, since, until by referring to a period of
time or to another event.
By the time, once, as/so long
as, whenever
Every time, the first time, the
last time, the next time
CAUSE & EFFECT Because › indicate the reason. I couldn't feel anger against
now that › Means ‘because now’ him because I liked him too
(present/future). much.

Since › Used to mean ‘because’

Kind of clause Common conjunction Function Example

CONTRAST Even though › although, Unexpected results. Even though I wasn't tired, I
though went to bed.

DIRECT CONTRAST While, are used to show direct Mary is riche, while John is
whereas (formal written English) contracts, with no difference poor
of meaning.

CONDITION If (prest.tense) are used to talk about a If it rains tomorrow, I will take
unless, only if, Even if possible situation and its my umbrella.
consequences.
Whether or not› ›express the idea that neither I’m going to swimming
this condition nor that tomorrow whether or not it’s
condition matters. cold.

In case, Express the idea that In the even that you (should)
in the event that› something probably won’t need to reach me, I’ll be at my
happen. house.
NOUN CLAUSE
A noun clause is a dependent clause that works like a noun.
You can find it as a subject or object.
As a subject: I read what she wrote.

As an object: What she wrote is interesting.

Noun Clauses Beginning with Question Words

Questions Noun Clauses

What do you do in class? What we do in class is easy.

Where does he work? Where he works is a secret.

What should I do? I don’t know what you should do.

Who are they? Mary knows who they are.

What happened? She knows what happened.

Noun Clauses Beginning with…
WHETHER OR IF THAT
•I wonder if it will rain tomorrow. That pollution affects the quality
of our lives is obvious. (Subject)
•I wonder if it will rain tomorrow or
not. It is obvious that pollution
affects the quality of our lives.
•I wonder whether or not Mary
went to work yesterday. (Object)
•Whether he invites her or not is
important.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
A kind of dependent clause with subject and verb, but can´t
stand alone as a sentence. It is sometimes called an
“adjective clause” because it functions like an adjective—it
gives more information about a noun.
They always start with relative pronouns.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
RELATIVE CLAUSES: TYPES
RESTRICTIVE (DEFINING) NON RESTRICTIVE
Gives information that defines Gives additional information on
the noun—information that’s something, but do not define it.
necessary for complete They are put in commas.
identification of the noun.
Ex: Mary, who is my girlfriend,
Ex: The girl whom you saw
yesterday is my sister. likes eating fast food.
A seaman is someone who works The Ferrari, which is in front of
on a ship. my house, belongs to my dad.
 NOTES
RESTRICTIVE RELATIVE CLAUSES NON RESTRICTIVE RELATIVE CLAUSES
Object pronouns in defining relative
clauses can be dropped. In non-defining relative clauses,
who/whom/which may not be
The boy whom we met yesterday is replaced with that.
very nice.
The boy we met yesterday is very nice.
Defining relative clauses are often used
in definitions.
A lumberjack is a person who cuts
wood.
SHORTEN RELATIVE CLAUSES
Relative clauses with who, which, that as subject pronoun can be
replaced with a participle. This makes the sentence shorter and
easier to understand.
I told you about the woman who lives next door.
I told you about the woman living next door.
Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof?
Do you see the cat lying on the roof?
EXAMPLES
1. Spaghetti, which many of us enjoy, can be messy.
2. This is the book that everyone is talking about.
3. She wrote to the person whom she had met last month.
4. We didn’t bring the receipt, which was a big mistake.
5. I have a friend whose cat is annoying.
6. People who are clever can always find a way.
7. Grandma remembers a time when radio shows were popular.
8. Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. - Erma Bombeck
Identify the Independent Clause
1. I know how to drive a car, but I enjoy riding bikes.
2. Today is Wednesday.
3. I was not keeping well, so I took a day off work.
4. When I met you, I did not think we would get this close.
5. It was my sister’s birthday yesterday; however, she did
not want to celebrate.
Identify the Dependent Clause
1. After we reached home, we watched a movie.
2. Everybody knows the boy who won the Best Outgoing
Student Award.
3. My mom asked me to call her as soon as I boarded the bus.
4. While we were waiting at the bus stop, we saw a monkey
snatching a snack from a little boy.
5. Though Malcom did not find the movie interesting, he stayed
until the end of the movie.
Identify the Adverb Clause
1. They went to the mall before going to the party.
2. You can put those shoes wherever you want.
3. My teacher talked to me as if I was a child.
4. We will go to the beach if the weather is nice.
5. Alison woke up early so that she wouldn’t be late for
work.
6. Although it rained, everyone enjoyed the parade.
Identify the Noun Clause
1. The teacher explained how to solve the problem.
2. What you said really shocked me.
3. That you have failed the exam is obvious.
4. I do not know when he will arrive.
5. Whether she can attend the party depends on her
work.
 Identify the Relative/Adjective Clause
1. Pizza, which most people love, is not very healthy.
2. Those people whose names are on the list will go to camp.
3. Grandpa remembers the old days when there was no television.
4. Fruit that is grown organically is expensive.
5. Students who work hard get good grades.
6. Eco-friendly cars, which primarily run on electricity, help the environment.
7. I know someone whose father served in World War II.
8. The slurping noise, which is incredibly annoying, is the main reason Sue does not like to eat
soup with her brother.
9. The kids who were called first will have the best chance of getting a seat.
10. I enjoy telling people about Janet Evanovich, whose latest book was fantastic.
REFERENCES
http://www.studyandexam.com/types-of-subordinate-clause.html

http://study.com/academy/lesson/types-of-clauses-noun-adverbial-
relative-clauses.html

http://englishwithiftikhar.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_2818.html