Home GRAMMAR Clauses

Clauses

Clauses_English_Grammar
english grammar_clause_
  • A group of words that includes a Subject and a Verb.
  • Functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.
  • Functions as a member of a Compound  or Complex Sentence.
  • Subject can be mentioned or hidden.
  • May form part of a sentence or may be a complete sentence in itself.
  • The basic unit of grammar.

 

english grammar_clause_1

MAIN CLAUSE:
(INDEPENDENT CLAUSE)
Main Clause/Independent Clause is a clause that can stand by itself as a simple sentence. It contains a subject and a predicate and makes sense by itself. It reveals a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. It may form a part of Compound or Complex Sentence.


     You’re my faithful friend.

     All of us enjoyed the tour much.
     I enjoy watching news on television.
     He is the cleverest boy in the class.
     George often thought about his grandparents.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE:
(DEPENDENT CLAUSE)
Subordinate Clause/Dependent Clause is a clause that that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It does not exhibit a complete thought. It depends on a Main Clause for its meaning. It can act as an adjective, adverb, or noun.

   
…..They will go to garden, if it is sunny.
     When we go to the market, we must buy cat-food.
     If the dog barks, you should feed it.
…..I am unable to walk because I’m ill.
     Once my exam finishes, we’ll go to beach.


CONDITIONAL CLAUSE:
(IF-CLAUSE)
Conditional Clause/If-clause is a clause that begins with ‘if’ or ‘unless’. It may come before or after the main clause. It focuses the action in the main clause, if the condition is fulfilled. It describes something possible or probable.


….If it rains heavily
, we will cancel the trip.

     You’ll be fail, if you do not study hard.
     You’ll be seriously ill unless you stop smoking.
     Unless you run fast, you will not win the race.
     Emily won’t tell her plan unless you help her.

RELATIVE CLAUSE:
Relative Clause is a clause which is connected to a main clause by using the words such as that, which, when, whom, whose, who or where. It helps to get more information about something. It is used to define or identify the noun that precedes them.


     That’s the person who won the lottery.
     He is the man whom I met in New York.
     I’d like to know why you are so sad.
     This is the college where we studied for two years.
     Can you tell the story that your Mom told yesterday?

also see

TENSES AS SOON AS / NO SOONER…THAN
DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH QUESTION TAG
MODAL AUXILIARIES Types of NOUNS
SO…THAT / TOO…TO Types of PRONOUNS
EXCLAMATORY / ASSERTIVE Types of ADJECTIVES
TOO / ENOUGH Types OF VERBS
UNLESS / IF…NOT IN SPITE OF / DESPITE
SO / BECAUSE USING ‘ALMOST’
COLLOCATIONS
MOOD
PHRASAL VERBS
FINITE/NON-FINITE VERBS
PUNCTUATION
DEGREES
VOICES
 
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