What is Clauses?
- 3.1What is the Meaning of ‘Clause?’
- 5.1Relative Clauses
- 5.2There are Two Different Types of Clauses that are Relative
A clause is a fundamental unit of grammar that consists of a subject and a predicate, forming a building block of sentences. It expresses a complete or partial thought and can function independently or dependently within a sentence. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it conveys a complete idea, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and needs to be connected to an independent clause to provide full meaning.
Types of Clauses
‘Clauses’ is a very important chapter in English grammar and carries significant marks in the CBSE syllabus. There are many types of clauses. Knowing each type by definition and application is crucial for building a strong base in the English language. No matter how simply you are asked to write, having a clear knowledge of clauses helps you to sharpen your written communication skills. However, before learning about the types of clauses, you must know the meaning of ‘clause’ and its general application. So, here you go…
What is the Meaning of ‘Clause?’
Clauses, in English, are a group of words or phrases with only one subject and one finite verb. The subject may be hidden but the verb should be distinguishable. The verb can be a single word (i.e. as “worked,” “played,” or “sang”) or contain helping verbs (i.e. “will eat” or “has been writing”). A phrase is a group of words that doesn’t have a subject, a predicate, finite verb which makes no sense independently and can be added to a sentence as an adjective, noun or adverb. Whereas we can add a clause to expand a sentence meaningfully, but unlike a phrase, a clause may have a proper sense like a sentence, as it has a subject and a predicate i.e. finite verb. Let us see what is a clause example:
I fell from the bed. (One clause sentence)
When I came here, I met Diaz. (Two clause sentence)
When I came here, I met Diaz, and she waved at me. (Three clause sentence)
Let us get greater insight into the different clauses and their types, along with clause examples.
Types of Clauses Chart
Clauses and its Types
There are two major types of clauses in English grammar:
Independent or Principal Clause
To explain what is meant by an independent clause, we must know that it consists of a subject and a finite verb makes complete sense by itself. Thus, it is a complete sentence by itself.
For Example
Go back to the town.
He is handsome but he is stupid.
Principal clause
Subordinate or Dependent Clause
A subordinate or dependent clause expresses an incomplete intent and cannot function on its own. To complete a sentence, dependent clauses are joined with independent clauses with the help of subordinators as a subordinate clause cannot form a complete sentence alone.
In each of the dependent clauses, the first word is a subordinator i.e. relative pronouns, subordinating conjunctions, and noun clause markers.
For example
If that’s a taco, I’m having it.
Here “if” is a subordinator connecting the independent clause “I’m having it” with “that’s a taco”.
Subordinate clauses can be further divided into different varieties. Here are the types of clauses with examples:
Adverbial Clauses
These are groups of words that modify verbs, other adverbs, or adjectives and are used to explain when, where, why, how, how much, or under what circumstances the action of the sentence took place.
For example
Since dad will be home early, I have to leave now.
Adjective Clause
It is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence, hence acting as an adjective. It starts with a pronoun like who, whose, that or which. Adjective clause examples are:
Green vegetables, which many people dislike, are filled with nutrients.
My dog Pasha, who loves mangoes, eats them under the dining table.
Noun Clauses
These are a group of words that are bound together to behave like a noun. Nouns clauses are dependent clauses that are used when a single word is not enough. They often begin with words like how, that, what, when, where, which, who, why. For example:
Raju did not know where he was.
What she said at the party was not acceptable.
Conditional Clauses
Such a clause usually begins with if or unless and describes something likely or feasible.
For Example
Unless it rains tomorrow, I will go to school.
Relative Clauses
A relative clause is connected to the main clause by a word such as which, what, that, whom, etc.
For example
I was wearing a dress that I bought for my reception.
There are Two Different Types of Clauses that are Relative
Restrictive Relative clause: without this, the sentence does not make much sense.
It reminded me of my school which is more than a hundred years old.
Non-Restrictive Relative Clause: this provides extra information.
The lady distributed woolens, which the old man took.
For rapid improvement in the quality of writing it is crucial to know where to use the exact types of clauses correctly. It enhances the ability to communicate with an audience drawing their direct attention and avoiding apprehensive sentence fragments.
Test your Knowledge on the Topic of Clauses
1. Identify the Independent and Dependent Clauses:
Sentence: "Although she was tired, she finished her homework, and then she went to bed early."
Tasks:
Identify the independent clauses.
Identify the dependent clauses.
2. Combine the Clauses:
Clauses: "The sun was setting." / "We decided to take a walk."
Task: Combine these clauses into a single complex sentence using a suitable conjunction.
3. Identify the Type of Clause:
Sentence: "The movie, which we watched last night, was amazing."
Task: Identify and label the type of clause (relative, adverbial, etc.).
4. Rewrite with Conditional Clauses:
Sentence: "The concert will be cancelled. It rains heavily."
Task: Rewrite the sentences using a conditional clause to show the relationship between the two statements.
5. Fill in the Blanks with Clauses:
Sentence: "I will attend the meeting ______ I finish my work."
Options: "because," "if," "although"
Task: Choose the correct clause to complete the sentence.
6. Create Sentences with Noun Clauses:
Task: Write a sentence that includes a noun clause functioning as the subject.
7. Label Clauses in a Passage:
Passage: "When the rain stopped, the children went outside to play. They had been waiting all day."
Task: Label each clause as independent or dependent.
8. Convert to Adverbial Clauses:
Sentence: "She improved her skills. She practised every day."
Task: Rewrite the sentences using an adverbial clause to show the relationship between the two statements.
9. Identify Relative Clauses:
Sentence: "The restaurant where we had dinner last night was excellent."
Task: Identify and label the relative clause in the sentence.
10. Rewrite Using Comparative Clauses:
Sentence: "John is a better cook than Mary."
Task: Rewrite the sentence using a comparative clause.
Find out if you got them all right from the answers below.
Independent Clauses: "She finished her homework," "She went to bed early."
Dependent Clause: "Although she was tired."Combined Sentence: "Since the sun was setting, we decided to take a walk."
Relative Clause: "which we watched last night"
Rewritten Sentence: "If it rains heavily, the concert will be cancelled."
Correct Clause: "If"
Completed Sentence: "I will attend the meeting if I finish my work."Example Sentence: "What she said was true."
Labelled Clauses:
Dependent Clause: "When the rain stopped"
Independent Clauses: "The children went outside to play," "They had been waiting all day"
Rewritten Sentence: "She improved her skills because she practised every day."
Relative Clause: "Where we had dinner last night"
Rewritten Sentence: "John cooks better than Mary does."
Takeaways from this Page
Clauses are essential building blocks of sentences, consisting of a subject and a predicate. Understanding how to use them correctly is crucial for clear and effective communication.
There are several types of clauses, including independent, dependent, relative, adverbial, conditional, and noun clauses, each serving different functions within a sentence.
Independent clauses can stand alone as complete sentences, while dependent clauses rely on independent clauses to provide full meaning, creating complex and compound sentences.
Clauses can add detail, show relationships between ideas, and provide context, enhancing the overall clarity and richness of writing.
FAQs on Understanding Clauses: Types and Usage
1. How can I identify a subordinate clause in a sentence?
A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It usually follows a subordinator like "because," "although," or "if," and depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning.
2. What are the ways to connect independent clauses?
Independent clauses can be connected by:
Using a comma and a conjunction (e.g., "She went to the store, and he stayed home.")
Using a semicolon (e.g., "It was raining; we stayed indoors.")
Using a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb (e.g., "I wanted to go; however, I was too tired.")
3. What is the purpose of English clauses?
Clauses serve different functions: they can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, adding detail and context to a sentence.
4. What types of clauses exist?
Independent Clauses: Standalone as complete sentences.
Dependent Clauses: Cannot stand alone and rely on an independent clause.
Relative Clauses: Provide additional information about a noun.
Adverbial Clauses: Modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
Conditional Clauses: Express conditions.
Noun Clauses: Function as nouns in a sentence.
5. How can I identify dependent clauses?
Dependent clauses do not express a complete thought and usually start with subordinating words like "although," "because," or "when." They need an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
6. How should I combine clauses in a sentence?
Combine clauses by using commas and conjunctions, semicolons, or colons, depending on how the clauses relate to each other. Ensure at least one clause is independent.
7. What is an independent clause?
An independent clause contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a complete sentence. For example, "She enjoys reading."
8. What is a subordinate clause?
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause to provide a complete thought. For example, "Although it was raining" is incomplete by itself.
9. Can you give examples of conditional clauses?
Conditional clauses often begin with "if" or "unless" and show a condition. Examples include: "If it rains, the picnic will be cancelled" and "Unless you hurry, you'll miss the train."
10. What are coordinating conjunctions, and how are they used?
Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are used to connect independent clauses. For example: "I wanted to go, but I was too tired."
