Clauses are the building blocks of the English language. Any sentence hat you write which has a subject (the doer of the action) and a verb (an action word) is called a clause. Whereas a phrase is a group of words which makes sense but not complete sense, a clause makes complete sense.For example, “a clear blue sky” (is a phrase) and “A clear blue sky welcomed me in Leh” (is a clause-The subject is ‘A clear blue sky’ and the verb is ‘welcomed’).
There are two kinds of Clauses:
1. Main Clause:
A main clause is the part of every sentence, especially compound and complex sentences. A compound sentence is formed from two or more clauses which are linked together using conjunctions.
For example:
She was born in India but
her mother is from China.
2. Subordinate Clause:
A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb but it depends on the main clause for making sense as it does not make complete sense on its own.
For example, “I will go to the market if you come with me” is a complex sentence. It has a main clause ‘I will go to the market’ and a subordinate clause ‘if you come with me’. The main clause ‘I will go to the market’ makes complete sense on its own. But, the subordinate clause ‘if you come with me’ does not make complete sense on its own and depends on the main clause for its complete meaning.
Based on the function they perform in the sentence, clauses can be categorized as:
- Noun Clause– is a group of words which contains a Subject and Predicate of its own, and does the work of a noun. For example, “I like what I see” as a way of saying “I like cakes”. The highlighted portion is a clause that is functioning as noun.
- Adjective Clause-usually comes after the noun it qualifies and is made up of several words which, like all clauses, will include a subject and a verb.It answers the adjective questions ‘What kind? How many? or Which one?” For example, “The umbrella which has a broken handle is mine.”The highlighted portion is a clause that is functioning as an adjective.
- Adverb Clause-is a group of words which contains a Subject and Predicate of its own, and does the work of an adverb. It answers the adverb questions How? When? Where? Or Why? For example, “You may sit wherever you like.” The highlighted portion is a clause that is functioning as an adverb.
3. Phrases:
A phrase is a small group of words that forms a meaningful unit within a clause.
Different types of Phrases:
- Noun Phrase: a phrase built around a single noun.
For example: a vase of daisies stood on the table.
- Verb Phrase: This is the phrase that is built around the verb found in a clause.
For example: She had been living in New York.
- Adjective Phrase: This phrase is built around the adjective found in the sentence.
For example: A lot of kids are really keen on cricket.
- Adverbial Phrase: This is the phrase which is built around the adverb found in the sentence.
For example: The economy recovered very slowly.
- Prepositional Phrase: This phrase is built around the preposition.
For example: I longed to live near the sea.
Test Yourself
Q1. Identify the clauses and point it whether it is a Noun Clause, Adjective Clause, Adverb Clause.
- The bankers need to know what they should do.
- The books, which are lost, are not really necessary.
- Whether you like it or not, you have to go to bed now.
- Students who are intelligent get good grades.
- No one knows he is.
- When I was younger, I thought so.
- He laughs best who laughs last.
- I went to see what had happened.
- He met a girl whose eyes were blue.
- I shall remain where I am.
Answer Key
- what they should do-Noun Clause
- which are lost-Adjective Clause
- Whether you like it or not-Adverb Clause
- who are intelligent-Adjective Clause
- who he is-Noun Clause
- when I was younger-Adverb Clause
- who laughs last-Adjective Clause
- what had happened-Noun Clause
- whose eyes were blue-Adjective Clause
- where I am-Adverb Clause
