Clause:
A clause is a combination of related words containing a subject and a verb. It can be a simple sentence or a part of a compound sentence.
Examples:
She laughed. (one clause)
I waited for him, but he didn’t come. (two clauses)
Clauses have two major types:
1. Independent Clause /Main Clause
2. Dependant Clause/Subordinate Clause
Independent Clause
Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a sentence.
e.g. I saw a man who was crying.
If we look at the first clause ‘I saw a man’ it gives complete meanings and it can stand as a complete sentence.
More Examples:
The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
I met a friend who helped me a lot.
They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill.
He does not like the people who smoke.
We met a man who could speak many languages.
She loves her husband, who never tells a lie.
Underlined clauses are examples of Independent clause.
Dependant Clause
Dependence clause is that clause which (as alone part) cannot express a complete meaning. It alone cannot stand as a sentence because it depends on the other clause (independent clause) to give a complete meaning. It serves a subordinate role in the sentence.
e.g. I saw a man who was crying.
Now, the second clause ‘who was crying’ does not give a complete meaning and cannot stand as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause to give a complete meaning.
More Examples:
I saw a man who was crying.
The professor asked many questions but no one could answer.
I met a friend who had helped me a lot.
They contacted the customer who had not paid the bill.
He does not like the people who smoke.
We met a man who could speak many languages.
She loves her husband, who never tells a lie.
A subordinate clause can act as an adjective, a noun or an adverb in a sentence. There are three types of Subordinate Clause depending upon its function in a sentence:
1. Noun Clause
2. Adjective Clause
3. Adverb Clause
Noun Clause
A subordinate clause which acts as a noun in a sentence is called a Noun Clause. It usually starts with words such as ‘that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, whomever’. It acts exactly like a noun in a sentence. It can work as a noun either at the place of a subject or an object.
Examples:
Whatever we study increases our knowledge. (Noun as a subject)
What you eat determines your body-size. (Noun as a subject)
I buy whatever I need. (Noun as an object)
Now I realized what you had thought. (Noun as an object)
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
A subordinate clause which acts as an adjective in a sentence is called an Adjective Clause. Like an adjective, it modifies a noun or pronoun in the sentence. An adjective clause mostly starts with relative pronouns such as ‘that, who, whom, whose, which, or whose’.
Examples:
I saw a child who was crying. (modifies noun: child)
He hates the people who waste time. (modifies noun: people)
I watch a movie which amused me a lot. (modifies noun: movie)
The car, which I like, consumes less fuel. (modifies noun: car)
The building, where he lives, consists of many apartments. (modifies noun: building)
ADVERB CLAUSE
A subordinate clause which acts as an adverb in a sentence is called an Adjective Clause. Like an adverb, it modifies a verb, an adjective-clause or another adverb clause in the sentence. It modifies a verb of the main clause in terms of time, condition, cause and effect; and intensity.
It mostly uses the following subordinating conjunctions:
Time: when, whenever, since, until, before, after, while, as, by the time, as soon as
Cause and effect: because, since, now that, as long as, so, so that,
Contrast: although, even, whereas, while, though
Condition: if, unless, only if, whether or not, even if, providing or provided that, in case
Examples:
Call me when you need my help. (modifies verb: call)
Unless you avoid sugar, you can’t lose weight. (modifies verb: lose weight)
The patient had died before the doctor reached. (modifies verb: die)
You live a happy life as long as you think positively. (modifies verb: live)
I worked in a factory while I was living in London. (modifies verb: work)
You can succeed in life provided that you are sincere to your work. (modifies verb: succeed)