Assignment on clauses
Parts of a Clause
Subject: This is the “who” or “what” of the clause, the noun or pronoun that performs the action or
exists in the state described.
Verb: This is the “action word” that tells what the subject is doing or being. It needs to be in a finite
form, meaning it conveys a complete idea of time.
Clauses can be Dependent or Independent.
Independent clauses: These can stand alone as complete sentences and express a complete thought.
Example: “The sun shines brightly.”
Dependent clauses: These cannot stand alone and rely on an independent clause for explanation.
Example: “While the sun shines brightly,” (incomplete thought)
Clause Definition
“ a group of words that includes a subject and a verb, and forms a sentence or part of a sentence”
-Oxford Dictionary
“a group of words, consisting of a subject and a finite form of a verb.”
-Cambridge Dictionary
“a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex or
compound sentence.”
-Merriam Webster Dictionary
Types of Clauses
Based on their function, clauses can be further categorized as:
Independent or Main clauses: These form the core of a sentence and contain the main idea. They
are always independent clauses.
Example:
1. The cat chased the mouse. (Complete thought, single clause sentence.)
2. He smiled, but she kept walking. (Two independent clauses connected by “but”.)
Dependent or Subordinate clauses: These provide additional information or qualify the main
clause. They are always dependent clauses.
Example:
1.
2. Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic. (Dependent clause “Since it was raining” explains why
the picnic was cancelled.)
3. The book that I gave you is on the table. (Dependent clause “that I gave you” modifies the noun
“book”.)
Noun clauses: These act like nouns within a sentence. Example: “She told me that she would be late.”
Example:
1. I told him that I would be late. (Noun clause “that I would be late” serves as the object of the verb
“told.”)
2. The question is whether she will come. (Noun clause “whether she will come” serves as the subject
of the sentence.)
Relative or Adjective clauses: These modify nouns or pronouns. Example: “The book that I
borrowed is fascinating.”
Example:
1. The woman who smiled at me is my neighbour. (Adjective clause “who smiled at me” modifies the noun
“woman”.)
2. The house where they lived is haunted. (Adjective clause “where they lived” modifies the noun
“house”.)
Adverbial clauses: These modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Example: “He left before the
rain came.”
Example:
1. He left before the rain came. (Adverbial clause “before the rain came” modifies the verb “left”.)
2. I felt happy although I was tired. (Adverbial clause “although I was tired” modifies the adjective
“happy”.)
Clauses Exercise 1- Identify the Clauses. (Some sentences may have more than one clause.)
1. The world is a beautiful place, full of wonder and discovery.
Ans. The world is a beautiful place – Independent clause
2. The dog that won the competition received a giant trophy.
Ans. The dog that won the competition – Adjective clause
received a giant trophy – Independent clause
3. I can’t go swimming today because the water is too cold.
Ans. I can’t go swimming today – Independent clause
because the water is too cold – Dependent clause
4. The city lights twinkled like scattered diamonds from the aeroplane window.
Ans. The city lights twinkled -Independent clause
like scattered diamonds – Adverbial clause
from the aeroplane window – Adverbial phrase
5. Although he knew the answer, he remained silent.
Ans. Although he knew the answer – Dependent clause
he remained silent – Independent clause
6. She baked a delicious cake that we all ate in minutes.
Ans. She baked a delicious cake -Independent clause
that we all devoured in minutes -Dependent clause
7. If you ever need help, just give me a call.
Ans. If you ever need help -Dependent clause
just give me a call -Independent clause
8. They often go to Italy because they love the food.
Ans. They often go to Italy – Main clause
because they love the food – Subordinate clause
9. He worked tirelessly until the project was finally complete.
Ans. He worked tirelessly -Independent clause
until the project was finally complete -Adverbial clause
10. I went out on the bike that David gave me for my birthday.
Ans. that David gave me for my birthday – Dependent clause
