Types of Clauses

 Independent Clause
 Dependent Clause
o Adjective Clause
o Noun Clause
o Adverbial Clause
 Non-finite Clause

1. Independent Clause
It functions on its own to make a meaningful sentence. In a sentence, two independent
clauses can be connected by the coordinators: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Example:
o She read the author’s forewords and the whole story. (Simple sentence)
o He went to London and visited the Big Bell. (Simple sentence)
o They want to buy a garden house, but they don’t have enough money. (Compound sentence)

2. Dependent Clause

It cannot form a complete sentence on its own because it leaves an idea or thought
unfinished. It is also called a subordinate clause. These help the independent clauses
complete the sentence.

The subordinators do the work of connecting the dependent clause to another clause to complete

the sentence. In each of the dependent clauses, the first word is a subordinator. Whenever the

dependent clause comes first in a complex sentence, it’s followed by a comma.

Example:
o When he was dating Diana, he already had a big house.
o They know the man who stole the mobile phone.
o He bought a car which was too expensive.
o He is a talented football player though he is a bit short.

o Although he sings well, he hates karaoke.

Dependent Clauses are divided into three types.

2.1. Adjective Clause

It is a Dependent Clause that modifies a Noun. Basically, Adjective Clauses have similar
qualities as Adjectives that are of modifying Nouns and hence the name, Adjective Clause.
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These are also called Relative Clauses and they usually sit right after the Nouns they
modify.

Examples:
o I’m looking for the book that went missing last week.
o Peter is asking for the shoes which used to belong to his dad.
o My friend who rides a huge motorcycle said it’s a great weekend to ride.

o The traffic jam is the reason why we were late.

Adjective clauses are a way to combine two ideas (simple sentences) into one complex
sentence.

Simple sentences Complex sentences with adjective clauses

The shop is always very busy. The shop sells The shop that sells used sports cars is always very
used sports cars. busy.

Samir studies at a university. The university Samir studies at a university that is well known for
is well known for its technology programs. its technology programs.

The Khan Academy is a free online tutoring

The Khan Academy, which focuses on science and
service. It focuses on science and technology
education, is a free online tutoring service.
education.

 ADJECTIVE CLAUSE REDUCTIONS

o The man who is next to me must be a diplomat of some kind.
→ The man next to me must be a diplomat of some kind.
o People who were born before 1960 in the United States are called “Baby Boomers”.
→ People born before 1960 in the United States are called “Baby Boomers."
o We study in a university which consists of six separate colleges.
→ We study in a university consisting of six separate colleges.
o People who live in cities generally do not exercise as often as those who live in in rural areas.
→ People living in cities generally do not exercise as often as those living in in rural areas.

2.2. Noun Clause

Noun clauses are dependent clauses. They take the place of a noun or a noun phrase. They
can be the subject or object of the main verb, the object of a preposition, or a subject
complement. Noun clauses often begin with a question word (what, where, when, why, who,
whom, which, whose, and how).

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 Function Noun phrase Noun Clause

What my mother cooks for dinner is

Subject of main verb The spaghetti is so tasty.
so tasty

I didn’t know the address of her

Object of main verb I didn’t know where her house is.
house.

Lan was very curious about the

Object of preposition Lan was very curious why you left.
reason you left.

The primary problem is a lack of The primary problem is that there is

Subject complement
expense. not enough expense.
More examples:
o I cannot believe in what I have heard.
o You need to express that it’s crossing a line for you.
o He knows how things work around here.
o They remembered what the keynote speaker covered.

2.3. Adverbial Clause

 By definition, these are Dependent Clauses acting as Adverbs. It means that these
clauses have the power to modify Verbs, Adjectives, and other Adverbs.
 An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that indicates time, reason, concession,
contrast, condition, purpose, or refutation.
 An adverbial clause begins with a connector called a subordinating conjunction, such
as after, although, if, since, and when.

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 More examples:
o Alice did the dishes till her legs gave up.
o The pool was installed after they built the deck.
o While we slept, the plane reached its destination.

o The pool is open daily until the temperature drops.

 IF CLAUSE

The “if clause” explains a condition that is necessary for a specific outcome.
It is a type of adverbial clause.
Time If clause/ situation Outcome
General If it is too hot, we turn on the air conditioning.
Future real If it is too hot, we will/can/may turn on the air
conditioning.
Present/ If the restaurant opened at noon, (The we could/would/might eat lunch
Future unreal restaurant does not open at noon.) there.

Past unreal If the students had asked questions they would/might/could have
during the lecture, (They did not ask understood the concepts better.
questions during the lecture.)
3. Non-finite Clauses

They contain a Participle or an Infinitive Verb that makes the Subject and Verb evident
even though hidden. In terms of grammar, the Participle Phrase takes place of the Subject
or Object of the sentence.

Examples:
o He saw the boy staring out of the window.
o She is the first person to enter the office.
o Seeing the fireworks made the children jumped up.

o He sympathised with students disappointed by their final marks.