Clauses Part-1

 Clauses

In the previous blog, we learned about phrases and their types. In this blog, you are going to learn about clauses. 

What are Clauses? 

Clauses are groups of words or phrases that consist of only one subject and one finite verb. Often, the subject is hidden in the clauses, but the verb should be differentiable. 

Also, the verb could be a single action verb such as - worked, laughed, ate, danced, and thought. Or it could be a verb using auxiliary verbs such as - will be working, was laughing, is eating, was dancing, has been thinking. 

Example: 

a) Show Peter the model you made for the project work when he arrives at school. 

In this sentence, the words he arrives is a clause. In this case, the word he is the subject of the sentence, while the word arrives is the verb or the action word. 

b) He lost his keys when he was playing, and he gave up on finding them. 

In this sentence, the words he gave up are a clause. In this case, the word he is the subject of the sentence, while the word gave up is the verb or the action word. 

Now let's learn about the types of clauses and look at their use in a sentence. 

Types of Clauses 

1) Independent Clause 

2) Dependent Clause 

3) Relative Clause

4) Noun Clause

1) Independent Clause 

a) What is an Independent Clause? 

An independent clause is a complete, meaningful sentence that can stand on its own. It shows the complete thought. 

An independent clause consists of a subject and a predicate. 

The subject tells us about whom or what the sentence is about. 

The predicate is the part of the sentence, that gives information about what action the subject is performing. 

An independent clause is also called the main clause of the sentence.

Example: 

a) I am going to Starbucks to have a cup of coffee.

 

In this sentence, the subject is I and the predicate is am going to Starbucks to have a cup of coffee. In this case, the sentence is complete and is making sense. It does not need another clause to complete it, hence it is an Independent clause. 

b) He is going to the party tonight. 

In this sentence, the subject is He and the predicate is - is going to the party tonight. In this case, as well, the sentence is complete and is making sense. It does not need another clause to complete it, hence it is an Independent clause. 

2) Dependent Clause 

a) What is a Dependent Clause? 

A dependent clause is a supporting part of the sentence, helping to complete it and make it meaningful. Without a dependent clause, the sentence is incomplete and can not stand on its own. 

When a dependent clause joins with an independent clause, it sentence turns out to be a complex sentence. 

A dependent clause is also called the subordinate clause. 

Example: 

a) Although he is rich, he is unhappy. 

In this sentence, the clause - although he is rich is a dependent clause. The independent clause in this sentence is - he is unhappy. Without the independent clause - he is unhappy the sentence would sound incomplete. 

b) Despite requesting him, he did not accept my sick leave. 

In this sentence, the clause - despite requesting him is a dependent clause. The independent clause in this sentence is - he did not accept my sick leave. Without the independent clause - he did not accept my sick leave the sentence would sound incomplete. 

We will learn about the relative clause and noun clause in our next blog.