Clauses
Parts of a Clause
Subject: This is the “who” or “what” of the clause, the noun or pronoun that
performs the action or exists in the state described.
Verb: This is the “action word” that tells what the subject is doing or being. It
needs to be in a finite form, meaning it conveys a complete idea of time.
Clauses can be Dependent or Independent.
Independent clauses: These can stand alone as complete sentences and express
a complete thought. Example: “The sun shines brightly.”
Dependent clauses: These cannot stand alone and rely on an independent
clause for explanation. Example: “While the sun shines brightly,” (incomplete
thought)
Clause Definition
“ a group of words that includes a subject and a verb, and forms a sentence or
part of a sentence”
-Oxford Dictionary
“a group of words, consisting of a subject and a finite form of a verb.”
-Cambridge Dictionary
“a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a
member of a complex or compound sentence.”
-Merriam Webster Dictionary
Types of Clauses
Based on their function, clauses can be further categorized as:
Independent or Main clauses: These form the core of a sentence and contain
the main idea. They are always independent clauses.
Example:
1. The cat chased the mouse. (Complete thought, single clause sentence.)
2. He smiled, but she kept walking. (Two independent clauses connected by
“but”.)
Dependent or Subordinate clauses: These provide additional information or
qualify the main clause. They are always dependent clauses.
Example:
1. Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic. (Dependent clause “Since it was
raining” explains why the picnic was cancelled.)
2. The book that I gave you is on the table. (Dependent clause “that I gave you”
modifies the noun “book”.)
Noun clauses: These act like nouns within a sentence. Example: “She told me
that she would be late.”
Example:
1. I told him that I would be late. (Noun clause “that I would be late” serves as the
object of the verb “told.”)
2. The question is whether she will come. (Noun clause “whether she will come”
serves as the subject of the sentence.)
Relative or Adjective clauses: These modify nouns or pronouns. Example:
“The book that I borrowed is fascinating.”
Example:
1. The woman who smiled at me is my neighbor. (Adjective clause “who smiled at
me” modifies the noun “woman”.)
2. The house where they lived is haunted. (Adjective clause “where they lived”
modifies the noun “house”.)
Adverbial clauses: These modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Example:
“He left before the rain came.”
Example:
1. He left before the rain came. (Adverbial clause “before the rain came” modifies
the verb “left”.)
2. I felt happy although I was tired. (Adverbial clause “although I was tired”
modifies the adjective “happy”.)
1. NOUN CLAUSES (10 Questions)
Definition: A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun —
it can be a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
Q1. I don't know what he wants.
Answer: Noun clause – object of the verb "know"
Explanation: The clause "what he wants" tells us what the speaker doesn't
know.
Q2. What you said surprised everyone.
Answer: Noun clause – subject of the verb "surprised"
Explanation: The clause is the subject performing the action of surprising.
Q3. She wondered if he would come.
Answer: Noun clause – object of the verb "wondered"
Explanation: "If he would come" is the thing she was wondering about.
Q4. Tell me where you live.
Answer: Noun clause – object of the verb "tell"
Explanation: The clause "where you live" is what the speaker wants to be told.
Q5. That he failed the test is true.
Answer: Noun clause – subject of the verb "is"
Explanation: The entire clause functions as the subject.
Q6. We are interested in what she does.
Answer: Noun clause – object of the preposition "in"
Explanation: "What she does" is the object of the preposition "in."
Q7. They asked who the winner was.
Answer: Noun clause – object of the verb "asked"
Explanation: The clause "who the winner was" is the answer they are seeking.
Q8. Do you know why he left early?
Answer: Noun clause – object of the verb "know"
Explanation: The clause "why he left early" explains what is being questioned.
Q9. Whether she comes or not doesn't matter.
Answer: Noun clause – subject of the sentence
Explanation: The clause is the subject performing the action "doesn't matter."
Q10. My question is how we can solve this.
Answer: Noun clause – complement of the linking verb "is"
Explanation: The clause completes the meaning of the subject "my question."
2. ADJECTIVE CLAUSES (10 Questions)
Definition: An adjective clause (also called a relative clause) modifies a
noun or pronoun and usually starts with who, whom, whose, which, or that.
Q1. The book that I borrowed is interesting.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "book"
Explanation: "That I borrowed" tells which book.
Q2. The girl who won the prize is my cousin.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "girl"
Explanation: "Who won the prize" gives more info about the girl.
Q3. I know a place where we can meet.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "place"
Explanation: The clause tells which place the speaker knows.
Q4. He is the man whom we met yesterday.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "man"
Explanation: It tells us more about which man.
Q5. She wore a dress which was made of silk.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "dress"
Explanation: "Which was made of silk" describes the dress.
Q6. The artist whose painting won lives nearby.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "artist"
Explanation: The clause "whose painting won" identifies which artist.
Q7. We visited the house that belonged to my aunt.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "house"
Explanation: Describes which house they visited.
Q8. I met a boy who can speak five languages.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "boy"
Explanation: It tells more about which boy.
Q9. The car which was stolen was expensive.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "car"
Explanation: The clause explains which car.
Q10. She is someone whom I trust completely.
Answer: Adjective clause modifying "someone"
Explanation: "Whom I trust completely" tells us more about "someone."
3. ADVERB CLAUSES (10 Questions)
Definition: An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another
adverb. It tells when, where, why, how, to what extent, or under what
condition something happens.
Q1. I will call you when I arrive.
Answer: Adverb clause of time
Explanation: It tells when the speaker will call.
Q2. Because it was raining, we stayed indoors.
Answer: Adverb clause of reason
Explanation: It explains why they stayed indoors.
Q3. She runs as if she were being chased.
Answer: Adverb clause of manner
Explanation: Describes how she runs.
Q4. You can go wherever you like.
Answer: Adverb clause of place
Explanation: It tells where the action can happen.
Q5. He works hard so that he can succeed.
Answer: Adverb clause of purpose
Explanation: It explains the purpose of working hard.
Q6. Although he was tired, he kept working.
Answer: Adverb clause of concession
Explanation: It shows contrast to the main action.
Q7. Wait here until I return.
Answer: Adverb clause of time
Explanation: It tells how long to wait.
Q8. If you study hard, you will pass.
Answer: Adverb clause of condition
Explanation: It gives the condition for passing.
Q9. He acts as though he knew everything.
Answer: Adverb clause of manner
Explanation: It describes how he acts.
Q10. Before the sun sets, we must reach home.
Answer: Adverb clause of time
Explanation: It tells when they must reach home.
✅Summary Chart
Clause Type Function Examples
Acts as a noun "What you said surprised
Noun Clause
(subject/object/complement) me."
Adjective Modifies a noun/pronoun "The girl who won is my
Clause Type Function Examples
Clause cousin."
Adverb
Modifies verb/adjective/adverb "I’ll go when
Clause
