PRESENTATION
Prepared By
Abdul Ghaffar Ikram
Objectives of this Presentation
• Clause
• Structure of a clause
• Dependent and independent clause
• Types of dependent clause
• Explanation with Examples
• Practice
• Question & Answer session
Clauses
Sort it Out
Trusting the weather forecast, we left our raincoats in the
hotel and returned at four o’ clock, drenched to the skin.
She sat down, started to read, but went to sleep.
Illustrated books sell well at Christmas.
Where he was in the spring of 1970 is still uncertain.
As soon as I arrived in Lahore, I telephoned my home
in Sargodha where my brother was waiting for me.
Even though the general public seemed indifferent to
their cause, the dedicated reformers refused to be
silenced when the government turned its full might
against them.
Clause
Definition
• A group of words having a subject and a predicate of its
own (having one finite verb) and is used as a sentence
(simple) or a part of a sentence (compound, complex and
multiple). So, every complete sentence is made up of at
least one or more clause(s). Here are some of the
examples:
• Madam Sonia bought a new car. (One sentence,
One clause)
• Madam Sonia bought a new car, but she is still
using her old car (One sentence, two clauses)
Types of Clauses
Every clause has at least a subject and a verb.
But there are some characteristics that differentiates
these clauses from one another.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Main / Independent Clause
It is the clause which doesn’t depend on some other clause for
its meaning rather it conveys meaning independently. It expresses
complete thought.
• I am sitting on a chair.
• Imran will never miss the party.
• Which products are they going to launch this year?
So, the evaluation of these sentences or clauses can be
mathematically generated as follows
Subject + Predicate = Complete Thought
Main clauses can be joined by coordinating or subordinating
conjunctions to form compound or complex sentences.
The acronym of commonly used coordinating conjunctions is
FANBOYS-ET.
Main / Independent Clause
FANBOYS
For So But
And Yet Else
Nor Or Therefore
For example
• He bought a new car, but he is still using an old one.
(Type of sentence)
• When the bell rang, he was cooking the food. (Type of
Sentence)
Subordinate / Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is part of a sentence; it contains a subject
and verb but does not convey the complete sense. They can make
sense on their own, but they are dependent on the rest of the
sentence for context and meaning. A dependent clause is joined to an
independent clause to form a complex sentence. It often starts with a
subordinating conjunction. Some common subordinating
conjunctions are:
After although As Because
Before Even if Even though If
since though Than that
until unless whenever when
whereas where whether while
For example
Ali felt sorry for her, when he read her letter.
Types of Dependent Clause
Dependent or subordinate is further sub-divided into further
types on the base of the function that it performs and this function is
linked to the word in another clause which it qualifies.
Noun Clause
It is a dependent clause that works as a noun. Noun clauses can
act as a subject, object, compliment or as object of preposition. Some
examples are as follows:
As a subject
A group of words having a finite verb and used at the place of a subject
as a noun.
What the minister most feared, now happened.
Whoever is the last one to leave turns off the light.
In both of these sentences, the bold words perform the function of
a noun at the place of a subject.
Noun Clause
As an Object
A group of words having a finite verb and it is used in place of an
object as a noun.
• Tell me who left this book on the table.
• The students repented what they had done.
As a Complement of a Verb
A word or group of words used as a compliment in place of an
object as a noun.
• The theory is what we call excellent.
As an object of preposition
In this noun clause functions as an object of preposition.
• We cannot provide seats for who may come.
Types of Dependent Clause
Adjective Clause
A group of words having a subject and predicate which qualifies /
modifies a noun or pronoun. It mostly begins with the relative pronoun.
One noticeable distinction that has to be made is that we use who, whose
or who for humans, which for anything other than humans and that for
both person or thing.
Qualifies a Subject
• Books, that have illustrations, sell well at Christmas. (In this sentence,
books sell well at Christmas is a main and that have illustrations is an
adjective clause).
Qualifies a Direct Object
A direct object word which, the subordinate clause modifies or
qualifies is a noun.
• I made a dress that I intend to wear..
Qualifies an Indirect Object of main clause
• I sent my sister, who went abroad, some of her favourite books.
Types of Dependent Clause
Adverbial clause
An adverbial clause is a group of words having a finite verb, and
it modifies a verb, an adjective or an adverb in another clause.
Modifying a Verb
• The ferry sailed when the tide was high.
Modifying an Adjective
• The profits were as large as we hopefully supposed them.
Modifying another Adverb
• He drinks greedily as he eats.
Classification of Adverbial Clause
Type Question Answered Example
Place Where? Where there are the computers, there is Microsoft
software.
Time When? After the fruit is harvest, it is sold at the market.
Cause Why? (What caused this?) I called him because it was my responsibility.
Purpose What was the reason for doing this? She took an IT course, so that she should be proficient.
Concession Why is this unexpected? Although Ali has good education, he behaves like
buffoon.
Condition Under what condition? If you save your money, you will able to use it latter.
Clauses
Sort it Out
Trusting the weather forecast, we left our raincoats in the
hotel and returned at four o’ clock, drenched to the skin.
She sat down, started to read, but went to sleep.
Illustrated books sell well at Christmas.
Where he was in the spring of 1970 is still uncertain.
As soon as I arrived in Lahore, I telephoned my home
in Sargodha where my brother was waiting for me.
Even though the general public seemed indifferent to
their cause, the dedicated reformers refused to be
silenced when the government turned its full might
against them.
Conclusion
To sum up, knowledge of grammar and especially of
phrases and clauses is pivotal for complete
understanding of any text.
It provides cohesion and coherence to the text.
The usage of clauses show diversity in grammar and
they should be handled with great care.
Any Question
