C L AUSE A NA LYSIS

What is a clause?
A clause is a part of a sentence which has its own subject and a predicate.

 The main clause can stand on its own, and has a complete meaning.
 The subordinate clause cannot stand on its own, and does not have a complete
meaning.

Subordinate clauses are of three types:

1. Noun Clause.
2. Adjective Clause.
3. Adverb Clause.
IDENTIFY AND ANALYSE THE CL AUSES
Step 1:
Identify the subordinator and the finite verb (main verb).

Step 2:
Separate the subordinate clause from the main clause.

Step 3:
Ask the question –
What = Noun Clause
Which = Adjective Clause
When, Where, How = Adverb Clause
 What is a fi nite verb?

 A finite verb is a form of verb that –

(a) Shows agreement with the subject
(b)Is marked for tense.

E.g.: 1. The man runs to the store to get a pack of tissues.

2. A child’s best friend is his mother.
3. Get in now.
 Subordinators
Wh Words what, who, which, when, where, why, how
Time as. … as, as if, than, that, after, before,
whenever, when, until
Contrast though, although, even though, even if,
while, whereas
Condition if, unless, whether
Reason as, since, because, so that, such that, so,
in order
 NOUN CLAUSE
(Ask What)

1. They agreed that one of them would work.

Ans: They agreed = Main clause
that one of them would work = Subordinate noun clause
(what did they agree to?)
2. I’ve come to see if you have a room.
Ans: I’ve come to see = Main clause
if you have a room = Subordinate noun clause
(what have I come to see?)
3. The truth is that India is very vast.
Ans: The truth is = Main clause
that India is very vast = Subordinate noun clause
(what is the truth? / what the truth is?)
1. I expect that I shall get a prize. (Expect what?)
2. I often wonder how are you getting on. (What do I wonder?)
3. I fear that I shall fail. (Fear what?)
4. No one knows who he is. (What does no one know?)
5. I don’t know what he wants. (What don’t you know?)
6. Can you guess what I want? (What should I guess?)
7. I think that you have made a mistake. (What do I think?)
8. Pay attention to what I’m going to say. (Pay attention to what?)
9. It grieved me to hear that she was extremely ill. (What grieved you?)
10. I want to know how far it is from here. (What do I want to know?)
 TYPE EXAMPLE E X P L A N AT I O N ANSWER
1. Subject of the verb Where he hid his money is The sentence begins with a Subordinate noun clause of
a mystery. subordinator the verb ‘is’ in the main
clause

2. Object of the verb Do you know why the The main clause ends with a Subordinate noun clause
animals look sad? complete verb, and the object of the verb ‘do know’ in
dependent clause starts with the main clause
a subordinator

3. Object of an infinitive The child tried to explain The main clause ends with an Subordinate noun clause
what he saw. infinitive (to + verb) object of the infinitive ‘to
explain’ in the main clause

4. Object of a preposition It all depends on how you The main clause ends with a Subordinate noun clause
speak. preposition object of the preposition ‘on’
in the main clause

5. Complement of a verb A man can become what he The main clause ends with an Subordinate noun clause
thinks. incomplete verb. complement of the verb ‘can
become’ in the main clause

6. In apposition to a noun or a a. The fact that he is the The meaning of the subject in a. Subordinate noun clause
pronoun culprit is known to all. the main clause is expressed in apposition to the
by the subordinate noun subject ‘The fact’ in the
clause. main clause.

b. It is certain that you will b. Subordinate noun clause in

succeed. apposition to the subject ‘it’ in
the main clause.
 E X E RC I S E
1. I hope that I shall be there on time.
2. I do not believe what he says.
3. He showed me how the problem was done.
4. She does not know where I live.
5. Tell me why you did this.
6. It is not known who has written this book.
7. The law will punish whosoever is guilty.
8. It is to be regretted that he retired from the world so early in life.
9. The doctor is hopeful that she will recover soon.
10.Tell me what you think about this.
11.I believe what he says.
12.I remarked that it was a fine day.
 ADJECTIVE CL AUSES
(Ask Which)

1. Do you know the woman who is wearing a blue dress?

Ans: Do you know the woman = Main clause
who is wearing a blue dress? = Subordinate adjective clause
(Which woman?)
2. We obeyed the order that the teacher gave us.
Ans: We obeyed the order = Main clause
that the teacher gave us = Subordinate adjective clause
(Which order?)
3. He went to the embassy, where he was referred to a local teacher.
Ans: He went to the Greek embassy = Main clause
where he was referred to a local teacher = Subordinate adjective clause
(Which embassy?)
 EXAMPLES

1. The person who greeted me was dressed in a dark tux. (Which person?)
2. The dog that barks does not bite. (Which dog does not bite?)
3. I remember the house where I was born. (Which house?)
4. The reason why he failed is obvious. (Which reason?)
5. I know the date when they will arrive. (Which date?)
6. He owns a house which looks like a boat. (Which house?)
7. The umbrella which has a broken handle is mine. (Which umbrella?)
8. The prize brought money which was badly needed. (Which money?)
9. The book that I have belongs to my friend. (Which book?)
10.He tells a tale that sounds untrue. (Which tale?)
 E X E RC I S E
1. It’s a wind that blows nobody any good.
2. He that climbs too high is sure to fail.
3. He died in the village where he was born.
4. He never does anything that is silly.
5. People who live in glass houses should never throw stones at others.
6. It is a long lane which has no turning.
7. He met a girl whose eyes were blue.
8. I know the man who is perfect for this job.
9. The boy who didn’t give up won the prize.
10.Students who study hard get good marks.
11.I found the book which was lost a long time ago.
12.The girl who sits near me is my cousin.
 ADVERB CLAUSE
(Ask When, Where, How)
When Where How

Adverb of Time Adverb of Place Adverb of Manner

1. They rested when they came home. (When did they rest?)
Ans: They rested = Main clause
when they came home = Subordinate adverb clause of time.
2. The lamb went wherever Mary went. (Where did the lamb go?)
Ans: The lamb went = Main clause
wherever Mary went = Subordinate adverb clause of place.
3. Dance as if no one’s watching. (How to dance?)
Ans: Dance = Main clause
as if no one’s watching = Subordinate adverb clause of manner.
 TYPE SUBORDINATORS EXAMPLES

1. TIME when, whenever, while, till,  She left after she gave
until, after, before, since her vote.
2. PLACE where, wherever  He makes friends
wherever he goes.
3. MANNER as, as if  She acts as if she is
the queen.
4. REASON since, because  Since you say so, I
must believe it.
5. PURPOSE so that, such that, in order  We eat so that we can
that survive.
6. CONTRAST though, although, even  Though you haven’t
though, even if completed the work, I
grant you the leave.
7. CONDITION if, unless, whether  You will sit here unless
the job I done.
 EXAMPLES
1. a. You may sit wherever you like. (Sit where?)
Ans: You may sit = Main clause
wherever you like = Subordinate adverb clause of place.
b. You may sit when the teacher tells you to. (Sit when?)
Ans: You may sit = Main clause
when the teacher tells you to = Subordinate adverb clause of time.
c. You may sit as Rama is sitting. (Sit how?)
Ans: You may sit = Main clause
as Rama is sitting = Subordinate adverb clause of manner.
2. When you can’t focus, close your eyes for a minute. (When to close your eyes?)
Ans: Close you eyes for a minute = Main clause
When you can’t focus = Subordinate adverb clause of time.
3. We’ll settle up when you come back. (When will we settle?)
Ans: We’ll settle up = Main clause
when you coma back = Subordinate adverb clause of time.
4. If you want to find the answer ask the person who has done it.
Ans: Ask the person who has done it = Main clause
if you want to find the answer = Subordinate adverb clause of condition.
5. Digital cameras are easy to use even if the person is old-fashioned.
Ans: Digital cameras are easy to use = Main clause
even if the person is old-fashioned = Subordinate adverb clause of contrast.
6. While I was cooking the supper, there was a knock on the door.
Ans: There was a knock on the door = Main clause
while I was cooking the supper = Subordinate clause of time.
7. I do it because I choose to.
Ans: I do it = Main clause
because I choose to = Subordinate clause of reason.
8. I must remain where I am.
Ans: I must remain = Main clause
where I am = Subordinate clause of place.
 E X E RC I S E
1. He was so unhappy because he stopped 13. I will believe it when I see it.
seeing his friends. 14. The waffle place started since 2015.
2. Do not go where there’s lesser crowd. 15. Although we were walking for quite some time,
3. He stopped coming to school since he was I don’t feel much exhausted.
ill. 16. Help me while I cook.
4. I had no fever even though I was drenched in 17. Don’t behave as if you had nothing to do with
rain. this.
5. Don’t ask for respect if you don’t give it. 18. Don’t behave as if you had nothing to do with
6. You should attend the party unless you really this.
don’t want to. 19. You twisted the situation such that he became
7. She climbed the rocks as if she had been the culprit.
practicing it. 20. You will have to tell me the truth in order for
8. I will come home after school gets over. me to trust you again.
9. Don’t use your phone until the work is done.
10. I had to go out because I had cabin fever.
11. She reads her novel as she walks.
12. You decide and tell me whether you are
coming.