Skip to main content

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.


 


 

 



 





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Article Writing Part-3

 Article Writing In the previous blog, we learned about article writing and had a look at an example of it. In this blog, we are going to continue the same topic, but increase the level of complexity.  Q) Write an article on how can schools help in improving the education system.  Schools And Education System  The education system is a major issue all over the globe, as it is largely impactive on the future. The education system is the thing that has the hold of all the children and their education as well. It is very necessary that the education system should be improved. And the schools can help in this. But how?  How can the schools help in improving the education system? It is believed that schools do not give proper attention to each student's academics, which results in the lower grades of the students. Also, schools pressure students with extra homework and projects, which does not provide them enough time to play. In developing countries such as India, S...

Modal Auxiliaries Part-3

 Modal Auxiliaries  In this blog as well, we will continue the same topic.  So let's start.  1) Must  The modal "must" is used to show probability or make a logical assumption. It is also used to show necessity or prohibition.    Example:  1) To show probability or make a logical assumption  a) Janice must be out this evening. She is not answering the call. (Present tense)  b) Janice must have been out last evening. She was not answering the call. (Past tense)  2) To show the necessity  a) I must call my parent tonight. (Present tense)  3) To show prohibition  a) You must not talk on the phone while driving. (Past tense)  Now let's have a look at the modal.  2) Have/Has to  The modal "have/has to" is used to show necessity or the lack of necessity. It is also used to indicate the future time.    Example:  1) To show the necessity  a) Mike has to make up for the class he missed. (P...

Infinitives Part-2

  Infinitives In the previous blog, we learned about infinitives. In this blog as well, we are going to continue the same topic in much more detail.  Types of Infinitives  1) Bare Infinitives  2) Full Infinitives  3) Split Infinitives  Now let's learn about each infinitive in detail.  1) Bare Infinitives  a) What is a Bare Infinitive?  A Bare Infinitive is a type of infinitive, in which the word 'to' is not used. It is written without it.  A Bare Infinitive is immediately followed by an auxiliary verb, such as - will, must.  Example:  a) I must come with you.  In this sentence, the word 'must' is an auxiliary verb and it has followed the word 'I'. Hence, it is a bare infinitive.  b) She will meet you tomorrow morning.  In this sentence, the word 'will' is a modal auxiliary verb and it has followed the word 'She'. Hence, it is a bare infinitive.  c) We must go.  In this sentence, the word 'must' is an au...