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Clause

What is a Clause? 

According to the definition of a Clause - A Clause is a pair or group of words that consists of a subject and a predicate (verb).  In other words, All Clauses in English have at least two parts: a noun phrase and a verb phrase.

A Clause is the basic unit of English grammar as it functions as a part or all of a complete sentence.

Types of Clauses:

I. Independent Clause – It is a group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone and make sense. These Clauses expresses a complete thought. They are also known as Main Clause or Principal Clause.

Examples

• India is a large country.
• India gained independence in 1947.

II.   Dependent Clause – It is a group of words with a subject and verb that depends on the Main Clause to give it meaning. These are also known as Subordinate Clause.

Examples of Dependent Clause: 

• Compared to Shark, Whale is a large animal - Compared to Shark is Dependent Clause, Whale is a large animal is Independent Clause.
• India gained independence in 1947 after World War II  -  India gained independence in 1947 is an Independent Clause  after World War II  is a Dependent Clause.

Dependent Clause can be called Adverb or Adverbial Clause if it expresses when, where, why, and how something occurs.

Examples of Adverb or Adverbial Clause:

• Wherever he goes, he buys a souvenir - The adverbial clause 'wherever he goes' modifies the verb ‘buys’.
• Jai enjoyed the play more than I did - The adverbial clause 'than I did' modifies the adverb ‘more’.

Types of Dependent Clauses - Dependent Clauses can function as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs:

a)  Noun Clause - A Noun Clause performs the work of a noun in a sentence. A Noun Clause can replace any noun in a sentence, functioning as a subject, object, or complement. Noun clauses usually begin with words like how, why, what, where, when, who, that, which, whose, whether, etc. Also words like whoever, whenever, whatever and wherever.

Examples of Noun Clause: The words in Bold are Noun Clauses.

• Where does John live?
• I must decide which career path to take.
• What the Punjabi teacher said was downright inspiring.
• The boy wondered if his parents bought him what he wanted for Diwali.

b)  Adjective / Adjectival Clause - An Adjective Clause takes the place of an adjective in another clause or phrase.  Like an adjective, an Adjective Clause modifies a noun or pronoun, answering questions like "which?" or "what kind of? It will contain a subject and verb. It generally begins with a relative pronoun like who, whom, whose, that, or a relative adverb like - which, when, where, or why. Adjective Clause is also known as Relative Clause when it begins with which, where, when, and why.

Examples of Adjective Clause - The words in Bold are Adjective Clause.

• My sister, who is a teacher, figured it out for me.
• The road that collapsed in the monsoon storm will cost lakhs to replace.
• I watched the movie that you told me about - An Adjective clause describes a noun just like an adjective. Which movie? The movie that you told me about.

Types of Adjective / Adjectival Clause - Adjectival Clause can be either Restrictive or Non-restrictive.

i)  Restrictive Clause – These are also known defining, essential or supplementary Clauses. A restrictive clause provides essential information about the subject of a sentence: it restricts the meaning of a sentence by identifying the specific qualities of the noun or pronoun. A Restrictive Clause begins with a relative pronoun like that or who or sometimes which. A Restrictive clause is not offset with commas.

Examples - The words in Bold are Restrictive Clause.

• I went for Walking with the girl who lives next door. (Identifies the girl).
• The bat which you cracked is over 100 years old. (Identifies the bat).

ii)  Non-restrictive Clause – They are also known as non-defining, nonessential or supplementary Clauses. Non-restrictive clauses provide descriptive information that isn't essential to the meaning of the sentence.  Non-Restrictive Clauses are enclosed with commas. A Non-restrictive Clause begins with a relative pronoun like which or who. It adds extra information about an already-specific noun.

Examples: The words in Bold are Non-restrictive Clause.

• I went for Walking with Aria, who lives next door.
• The credit card is in my wallet, which you can find in the almirah drawer.