CLAUSES
A clause is a group of words with a finite verb. A clause is a group of words that forms a sentence. A
clause could be categorized into two: main or independent clause and subordinate or dependent
clause.
TYPES OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
Subordinate clauses usually function as part of speech, hence they are named based on the part of
speech they function as. However, there are basically three types of subordinate clauses namely:
1. NOUN CLAUSE
2. ADVERBIAL CLAUSE
3. ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE
NOUN CLAUSE
The noun clause is a clause that does the work of a noun in a sentence. In most cases, noun clauses
answer the question of –WHAT? when applied to the transitive verb in the main clause. Noun
clauses are introduced by: who, that, what etc
Example: we agreed that she will travel first
FUNCTIONS OF NOUN CLAUSES
1. Subject to the verb:
Example 1. what the man did is very bad
ii. Where the warrior was buried is not known till today
2. Object to the verb
Examples: 1. He received what he sent him
ii. You should eat what you are given
3. Complement of the subject
E.g Music is what we require
4. Complement of an object
E.g she made her husband what he is
5. Object to a preposition
E,g Her success depends on who teaches her
ADJECTIVAL (RELATIVE) CLAUSES
Adjectival clauses are introduced relative pronouns like who, which, which, that, whose, whom etc.
Relative clauses are adjectival clauses. They perform the function of adjectives which is to qualify
nouns and pronouns.
Example; 1. This is the man who killed the snake
2. I know the day which he travelled home
3. She knows the place where I stay
4. Anthony is the boy who broke the glasses
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Adverbial clause modifies or tells us more about the verbs, adverbs and adjectives. It tells us, when,
how, where, to what extent, etc the action in the main verb takes place.
Example 1. I cooked the food when I arrived from school
2. The children can play wherever they like
TYPES OF ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
1. Adverbial clause of time: adverbial clause of time expresses time and is usually introduced
by subordinators like when, whenever, while, after, before, as soon as etc E.G I was there
when the man arrived. Ii As soon as he came in, we started to work
2. Adverbial clause of place. They are introduced by words like where, wherever, in, on, into
etc E.G I. the accident occurred where three roads meet
3. Adverbial clause of manner: they tell us more about how an action is performed. They are
introduced with words like though, as if, as etc E.G I. He sang as if he was hungry
4. Adverbial clause of condition: it states the condition for the action of the main verb to take
place. E.G I. I will report you, unless you stop talking
5. Adverbial clause of concession: clauses of concession indicates what happens in the main
clause is contrary to what one expects. E,G I. The examination was tough, although I passed
very well
6. Adverbial clause of reason: it tells the reason for an action and is introduced by words such
as because, since, as, for, in as much as etc E.G I. He stole the money because he was hungry
7. Adverbial clause of degree: it expresses extent of intensity and usually introduced by such
words as: so, so as, then, so that etc E.G The food was so hot that I left it
STUDY THESE EXPRESSIONS CAREFULLY
1. I remembered when we attained our freedom {noun clause}
2. I remembered the year when we attained our freedom {adjectival clause}
3. He shouted with joy when we attained our freedom {adverbial clause}
