Chapter 6 :

GROUP MEMBERS:
CLAUSES
1. Đinh Thị Bích Phượng
2. Đỗ Thanh Hiếu
3. Đỗ Thanh Thảo
4. Trần Thị Ánh nguyệt
 I. Definition
A clause is a group of words which forms a grammatical unit and which
contains a subject (i.e can be understood) or no subject and a verb (ie finite or
non finite verb) or no verb (verbless). A clause forms a sentence (i.e a simple
sentence), part of a sentence and often functions as a noun (nominal clauses), an
adverb (adverbial clauses) or part of a phrase and often functions as an adjective
(relative clauses).

Eg: 1. I met her yesterday.

2. She doesn't understand what he is talking to her.

3. The girl dancing on the floor lives near my house.

Part of noun
II. Classification
Clauses can be classified by structures, relationship and syntactic
functions.
1.BY RELATIONSHIP:

Clauses

Independent Dependent

An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence by itself,

expressing a complete thought.
"Dependent clauses, on the other hand, do not stand on their own
as sentences."(Jacob, 1995: 65).
He didn’t go to school because it rained heavily.

Independent Dependent
2. BY STRUCTURE :
2.1. Finite clauses
Before getting to know the concept finite clauses, let us begin with the term finite verb. As mentioned in
Chapter 2, a finite verb is the form of the verb with endings for person, number and tense. Look at the following
example.
I did it on purpose.
The verb "did" is a finite verb, for it is in concord with the subject I which is the first person, singular and in
simple past form.
The clause containing the finite verb is labeled the finite clause. Accordingly, the clause "I did it on purpose"
shown above is a finite clause. Thus, a finite clause can be
identified as a clause whose verb element is a finite VP.
Eg: When she entered the university, she met him.
Punished, the child cried hard.
All the underlined clauses in the sentences given are finite clauses with finite
verbs in italic.
2.2. Non-finite clauses :
Likewise, a non-finite clause is a clause whose verb element is a
non-finite verb phrase.
As a reminder, a non-finite verb is the form of the verb without
endings for person, number or tense, including the infinitives, the -
ing participle and the -ed participle.
Eg: The girl dancing on the floor lives near my house.
"dancing on the floor" in the sentence provided is a non-finite
clause with the verb element in the form of an -ing participle.
2.2.1. To -infinitive clauses:
Eg: To get married to my sweetheart is my happiness.
- An infinitive clause can be just an infinitive on its own,
or there can be an object or adverbial.
A ride on a London bus is the best way to see the city.
We need to act quickly.
It is noticeable that an adverbial often comes after the infinitive, and an object
always comes after it.
- A preposition comes in its normal place, usually after a verb or adjective.
Your meals are all you have to pay for.
There's nothing to get excited about.
I need a vase to put these flowers in.
2.2.2. Bare infinitive clauses: usually with the causative verbs make, let, have or
verbs of perception feel, hear, notice, observe,... . Eg: Parents should let their
children decide for themselves.
 2.2.3. V-ing clauses: Present Participle Clauses
Gerund Clauses
+What is a gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. A gerund is used in the same ways as a noun. That is, it functions as a subject or an object, ...
Eg: Playing the guitar is my hobby.
She avoids seeing him.
A gerund clause can be just a gerund on its own, or there can be an object or adverbial after it.
No one likes washing the car.
Going on holiday always makes me feel uneasy.
The agent of action can come before the gerund.
We rely on our neighbors watering the plants while we are away.
I dislike people asking me personal questions.
+ What is a present participle?
A present participle is the -ing form of a verb used as a verbal, an adjective or an adverb.
Eg: I see him passing my house every day.
I saw the policeman chasing someone.
Fearing that the police would recognize him, he never went out in daylight.
Everyone just stood there talking.
Note: The understood subject is usually the same as in the main clause when the -ing form is used as an adverb.
Walking across the field, we saw a plane fly past.
(As we were walking across the field, we saw a plane fly past.)
 2.2.4. Ed- participle clauses:

An Ed-participle clause is of a past participle which is the past form

(irregular or regular) of a verb functioning as adjectival and
adverbial.
Eg:
Disappointed with his result, he looks bored and tired. The boys
punished by their teacher are very naughty.
 2.3. Verbless clauses:
A verbless clause is a clause containing no verb element (but otherwise generally analyzable
in terms of one or more clause elements like: subjects, complements, objects and adverbs).
Verbless Clauses: Verbless main clauses
Verbless adverbial clauses
Verbless nominal clauses
Verbless adjectival clauses
2.3.1. Verbless main clauses: used in SUGGESTION, QUESTIONS, COMMANDS, A
REPLY, AN APOLOGY, AN OFFER, AN EXCLAMATION.
Eg :What about a cup of tea?
What a beautiful girl!
2.3.2. Verbless adverbial clauses:
Eg : If possible, we will visit Thailand on our holiday.
Although always helpful, he was dismissed.
2.3.3. Verbless nominal clauses:
Eg: A good sleep helps you healthy. (Having a good sleep helps you healthy).
2.3.4. Verbless adjectival clauses
Eg:The woman, strict and mean, is her mother.
3.BY FUNCTION
Clauses

Nominal Adjectival Adverbial Comment

3.1. Nominal clauses
A nominal clause can be the Subject, the object (Od, Oi, Op), the
complement (Cs, Co, Cp), …

That rain may fall in deserts is true.

She gives whomever she met a warm greeting.

My question is whether (or not) you will pay for such a loss.

We have made them what they are.

We'd like to work with whom we consider the best.

Nominal clauses can be classified into many sub-types.

3.1.1. Nominal That clause

I think that he is right.

3.1.2. Nominal Zero That clause

I think he is right.

3.1.3. Nominal Yes/No Interrogative clause

I don’t know if they understand what I said

3.1.4. Nominal Wh-Interrogative clause
I don’t know when he was born.
3.1.5. Nominal Relative clause
She gives whomever she met a warm greeting
3.1.6. Nominal -ing clause
He is interested in watching football on TV.
3.1.7. Nominal To-infinitive clause
To understand English grammar is quite difficult.
3.1.8. Nominal Bare infinitive clause
You should let him do what he likes.
3.1.9. Nominal Verbless clause
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
3.2. Adjectival clauses

An adjectival clause (A relative clause in another term) is characteristically a

post-modifier in a noun phrase. Relative clauses may be either restrictive or non-
restrictive.
 3.3. Adverbial clauses

Adverbial clauses are used as adverbials, generally

as circumstance adverbials... they are optional and
have some freedom of positioning; both initial and
final replacement are common. Adverbial clauses are
regularly marked by a subordinator indicating the
relationship to the main clause.
3.3.1. Adverbial clauses as adjuncts

After she had graduated from university, she found a good job in the city.

She went to school although it rained heavily.

3.3.2. Adverbial clauses as disjuncts

To tell you the truth, I was terrified.

I’m not sure, to be honest.

3.3.3 Adverbial clauses as conjuncts

What’s more, he didn’t tell the truth.

 3.4. Comment clauses

Clauses are loosely connected to the main

clause. They normally lack explicit link, and
they are usually short and can appear in a variety
of position... They are usually in the present
rather the past tense, first or second rather than
third person, and comment on a thought rather
than the delivery of wording.” (Biber et al, 1999:
197)
The Smiths, as you probably know, are
going to America.

The conclusion, it seems, is intolerable.

He’s right, I think

 Exercise 3: Pick out the nominal clauses in the following sentences and tell the
functions of the clauses.
1.That they are very rich means nothing to me.

2. He boasted that he had killed a bear.

3. The fact that the company is almost bankrupt is not generally known.

4. Whoever caused the destruction will be punished

5. Give this to one of the boys, whoever comes to the door first.

6. How the fire happened is a mystery to me.

7. Whatever he did made her angry.

8. The reason we returned so early is that one of the children got sick.

9. I consider what you said a good advice.

10. The truth is that I don't remember where I met him.

 Exercise 3: Pick out the nominal clauses in the following sentences and tell the functions of the clauses.

1. That they are very rich means nothing to me.

the subject

2. He boasted that he had killed a bear.

the object
3. The fact that the company is almost bankrupt is not generally known.
in apposition
4. Whoever caused the destruction will be punished.
the subject
5. Give this to one of the boys, whoever comes to the door first.
in apposition
6. How the fire happened is a mystery to me.
the subject
7. Whatever he did made her angry.
the subject
8. The reason we returned so early is that one of the children got sick.
subject complement
9. I consider what you said a good advice.
the object
10. The truth is that I don't remember where I met him.
subject complement
THANK YOU !