CLAUSES

A clause is a group of words forming a part of a sentence; it contains a subject and predicate of its
own.

Example:

He told me that he was not coming that day.

The above sentence can be broken into two parts:

1. He told me.
2. That he was not coming that day.

Each part of the sentence contains a subject and a predicate of its own. There are two parts of the
sentence, hence there are two clauses.

 The clause He told me makes a good sense by itself and makes a complete sense. This is called
Principal clause or Main Clause.
 The clause that he was not coming that day does not make a complete sense. It depends on the
main clause for its complete sense. Therefore, it is called a dependent clause or subordinate
clause.

A subordinate clause can be of three kinds:

(i) Noun clause

(ii) Adjective clause or relative clause
(iii) Adverb clause

Noun clause

A noun clause is one which does the work of a noun in relation to some words in the main clause. A
noun clause can be used as follows:
(i) Object to a verb: He asked me how I would go there.
(ii) Subject to a verb: How she came here is not known to me.
(iii) Object to Participle: Seeing that he was going there, I joined him.
(iv) Object to an Infinitive: I was shocked to hear that he had failed.
(v) Object to a preposition: Please listen to what he is saying.
(vi) I don’t understand the rules of this game.
(vii) Can you guess who lost?
(viii) It made me angry that he went on the tour.

Adjective/Relative clause

Subordinate Adjective Clause is that clause which qualifies a noun or pronoun used in the main
clause. It does the work of an adjective in relation to some work in the main clause.

Example:
(i) He is the man who had won the first prize.
(ii) The house where he lived has been renovated.
(iii) I remember the place where we spent the day.
(iv) I am looking for the rings that I lost last night.
(v) He is still up from all the coffee he drank.
Connectors used: that, who, which, where, whom, etc.
Adverb clause
An adverb clause does the work of an adverb in relation to some word in the main clause; it is used in
following conditions with the following connectors:

(i) Adverb clause of ‘Time’-

(a) When the cat is away, the mice will play.
(b) I will go whenever he calls.

Connectors: when, whenever, till, until, before, after, since, while, as, as soon as, no sooner
than, so long as, etc.

(ii) Adverb clause of ‘Place’-

(a) I shall go where he goes.
(b) Wherever you go I shall find you.

Connectors: where, wherever

(iii) Adverb clause of ‘Purpose’-

(a) He works hard so that he may pass.
(b) Walk carefully lest you should fall.
Connectors: that, so that, lest, in order that

(iv) Adverb clause of ‘Reason’-

(a) He failed because he did not work hard.
(b) As he is weak, he sat down to rest.

Connectors: since, because, for, as

(v) Adverb clause of ‘Manner’-

(a) As you sow, so shall you reap.
(b) He behaved as if he is mad.

Connectors: as, as….so, as if, as though

(vi) Adverb clause of ‘Extent’-

(a) As far as I know, he will help you.
(b) Nobody can harm you so far as you are here.

Connectors: as far as, so far as

(vii) Adverb clause of ‘condition’-

(a) If you work hard you will get good marks.
(b) I shall let you go provided you speak the truth.

Connectors: if, unless, provided, in case

(viii) Adverb clause of ‘Result’ or ‘Effect’-

(a) He is so poor that he cannot buy the books.
(b) He did not work hard so he failed.

Connectors: so, so…. That

(ix) Adverb clause of ‘comparison’-

(a) He is not as tall as Ram is.
(b) She is more beautiful than Sita
 Connectors: as, than

(x) Adverb clause of ‘contrast’-

(a) Although it was raining, I went there.
(b) She will not pass even if she works hard.
Connectors: though, although, even if, however

(PRINCIPAL AND SUBORDINATE CLAUSE)

1. Naomi’s mother was out of town, so she took care of everyone at home.
Independent clause – Naomi’s mother was out of town
Independent clause – She took care of everyone at home
2. I could not study as the lights went out.
Independent clause – I could not study
Dependent clause – As the lights went out
3. Since she was absent for over a month, she found it hard to catch up with all that was going on
at the office.
Independent clause – Since she was absent for over a month
Dependent clause – She found it hard to catch up with all that was going on at the office
4. If you are not able to do it yourself, please feel free to take help from anyone here.
Independent clause – Please feel free to take help from anyone here
Dependent clause – If you are not able to do it yourself
5. Have some pancakes in case you are hungry.
Independent clause – Have some pancakes
Dependent clause – In case you are hungry
6. She is taller than my brother.
Independent clause – She is taller
Dependent clause – Than my brother
7. I am going to the reception even if you are not coming.
Independent clause – I am going to the reception
Dependent clause – Even if you are not coming
8. Rahman likes songs that are melodious.
Independent clause – Rahman likes songs
Dependent clause – That are melodious
9. Although I did not get much sleep last night, I don’t feel tired at all.
Independent clause – I don’t feel tired at all
Dependent clause – Although I did not get much sleep last night
10. In addition to your SAT exam preparations, you should also prepare for the interview.
Independent clause – You should also prepare for the interview
Dependent clause – In addition to your SAT exam preparations

1. People who pay their debts are trusted.

2. We cannot go while it is snowing.
3. Raj thinks that I have made a mistake.
4. Tina bought some chocolates which she wanted to give her brother.
5. After I reached home, it started raining.
6. Mani was asked to come to the office though he was not keeping well.
7. All that glitters is not gold.
8. Tim is the nicest person I’ve ever met.
9. She did not go to school as she was sick.
10. This is the boy who got suspended last week.
11. Although I was not in the mood for a movie, I watched ‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’ with my friend.
12. Olena likes stories that have fairies in them.
13. Riya was sure that Tia would come today.
14. Nobody knew who had come first in the race.
15. The teacher gave the students another worksheet as soon as they completed the first one.

TYPES
1. You may sit wherever you like. – Adverb Clause
2. As she was not there, I spoke to her sister. – Adverb Clause
3. Will you wait till I return? – Adverb Clause
4. I fear that I shall fail. – Noun Clause
5. I do not know what he wants. – Noun Clause
6. I think you have made a mistake. – Noun Clause
7. Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow. – Adjective Clause
8. Here is the copy you want. – Adjective Clause
9. She never does anything unless her parents allow it. – Adjective Clause
10. The house that I live in belongs to my grandfather. – Adjective Clause