types of clause

8/6/2019 Types of Clause

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Clause

Independent

clause

Dependent

clause

A group of related words

Has a subject and predicate


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For example

I bought a book.

This sentence has the three basic elements requiredof either a simple sentence or a clause:

Subject = I

Verb = bought

Object = a book


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lets add another clause

Now we have a two clause sentence, but theseclauses are not the same.

The original clause I bought a book can standon its own as a simple sentence. It expresses acomplete thought by itself. Therefore, it is calledan independent clause.

While my mother drank her

coffee,

I bought a book.


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An independent clause is a S + V / O bject

or C omplement

or A dverbial

unit that expresses a complete thought and could stand

on its own as a simple sentence.

Whether you find an independent clause by itself as a

simple sentence or joined with other clauses, you will

be able to identify it because it:

is a S+V/ unit that

expresses a complete thought

Independent Clause (IC)


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what about the other clause?

While my mother drank her coffee,

I bought a book.

If we only consider the first clause, while my mother

drank her coffee, we are left with a question in ourminds, Whathappened while your mother drank her

coffee?!

This clause can not stand on its own as a simple sentence. It

requires another clause to a complete its meaning. Therefore,

it is called an dependent clause.


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Adependent clause is a S + V / O bject

or C omplement

or A dverbial

unit that does notexpress a complete thought and can not

stand on its own as a simple sentence.

A dependent clause must always be connected to an

independent clause. You will be able to identify it because it:

is a S+V/ unit that

does not express a complete thought on its own

Dependent Clause (DC)


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Dependent Clauses

There are 3 different types of dependent clauses.

Noun Clause (NC)

Adjective Clause (AdjC)

Adverb Clause (AdvC)


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Noun Clause (NC)

[S+V/] that acts like a noun

Example: I think [you are sick].

I think [you are sick].

S V OObjects are nouns; this entire

clause acts like a singular noun, so

it is a noun clause.

NCs usually follow verbs as objects or complements

Answers the question What?

Example:

Q: What do you think?

A: I think Spiderman is the best superhero.


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NCs can begin with that

that is a subordinating conjunction that joinsit to an IC

makes the clause it begins depend on the IC to

complete its meaning.

that is often omitted by native speakers:

Example:I think that Spiderman is the best superhero.

I think Spiderman is the best superhero.


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Adjective Clause (AdjC)

[S+V/] that acts like an adjective

Example: The story [that I am reading] is sad.

S V

This entire clause acts like an

adjective, so it is an adjective

clause. AdjCs follow nouns

Often start with relative pronouns

but the relative pronoun can be omitted

if the clause has another noun to serve as

the subject

EX: The story [I am reading]is sad.

relative

pronoun

[that I am reading]


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Adverb Clause (AdvC)

[S+V/] that acts like an adverb

Example: [After we drove to the mall] , we looked for a

bookstore.

This clause gives information about

how or why the action happened,

so it acts like an adverb.

AdvCs always begin with a subordinating conjunction

after, although, as, because , before, even though, if ,

since, unless, until, when

types of clause

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