Clause: Definition and Types with Examples and Exercises

No sentence can be formed without a clause. It means every English Sentence must have at least one clause. One-clause sentences are called simple sentences. Complex and Compound sentences consist of more than one clause. A clause is a building block of a sentence. It is nothing but a group of words where you will find subject and predicate. A student who wants to learn the English language must know this important component of English Grammar. Knowledge of clauses is important to be able to write a complete and effective English sentence. 

In this article, you are going to know about clauses and their definitions. You will also find the types of clauses with their definitions. Further, relevant examples are given for your better understanding. At the end of the article, you will find the exercise part for your further practice. So let’s start our lesson. 

Read More: English Sentences: Definitions, Meanings, Types and Examples

Definition

A group of properly arranged words that help you to express your feelings and thoughts is called a clause. Clauses can be divided into two parts, namely subject and predicate. There must be a relationship between the subject and the predicate. So a clause must have a subject and a predicate. The subject is the doer of a sentence. usually, you can see the subject at the beginning of a sentence. The part of a sentence that contains verbs, objects, and adverbials is called a predicate. Different dictionaries define clauses in different way. Let’s check one of them. 

Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines a clause as “a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and forms a sentence or part of a sentence”. The subject of a clause can remain hidden at times but the verb is always visible in a clause. 

Examples

• I completed my graduation last year. 
• When Rahim came to see me at my house, I was working in the factory. 
• He worked hard but could not pass the annual examination.
• Students who are making noise will be sent outside of the classroom.
• I know the Karims of our village. 

Types

Although every clause has a subject and a verb, they are divided into different types according to their function in a sentence. They can work as adverbs, nouns, or adjectives in a sentence. They are mainly classified into two types. But there are other types of clauses as well. 

• Principal 
• Subordinate 
• Noun 
• Adjective 
• Adverbial 
• Conditional 
• Coordinate

Principal Clause

A group of words which has a subject and a finite verb and does not need the help of other clauses to express full meaning is called an Principal clause. It produces complete meaning. The name itself denotes that it does not rely on other clauses to produce a complete meaning. It is independent. It is also known as the Main clause and Independent clause. And it can stand on its own to produce meaningful sentences. It looks like a simple sentence and it is a complete sentence. Its basic structure is “Subject + Verb”. 

Examples

• Today is Friday.
• I know Karim who is an English teacher.
• I am learning how to drive a car.
• We have a garden where you can see beautiful flowers. 
• Rahman is a good cricketer.
• Where do you live?
• I want to read Macbeth. 
• See me tomorrow.
• I want to help people with low income, but I don’t know how to do it. 
• My sister loves birds. 

Subordinate Clause

 A Subordinate clause starts with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. It has a subject and a finite verb but cannot express its full meaning. Unlike principal clauses, subordinate clauses cannot express full meaning without the help of principal clauses. If you separate subordinate clauses from the principal clauses, they won’t be able to stand alone. The name itself suggests that these clauses depend on other clauses to produce a complete meaning. Subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns are used to connect the principal clause and subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses are used in complex sentences. The structure of a subordinate clause is “Subordinator + Subject + Verb”. It produces an incomplete sentence. The opposite of independent clauses is subordinate clauses. The other name for subordinate clauses is dependent clauses. 

Examples

• The police came after the thief had run away.
• Rahim is loved by everyone because he is a good student.
• I know Rahman who is studying at Dhaka University.
• If you waste your time, you will fail in your exam.
• Though he is poor, he helps others.
• Today I am not going to school as it is raining. 
• I bought two ice cream because my nieces love it.
• If you do not go to school regularly, you will do badly in the coming annual exam.
• Whenever she gets money, she buys a book.
• Although he is rich, he does not help others. 

Subordinate Clauses are divided into three types based on their function. They are Noun clauses, Adjective clauses, and Adverbial clauses. Each of the types of subordinate clauses is discussed below.

Noun Clause

The subordinate clause which acts like a noun in a sentence is called a Noun clause. Now you need to know about the places where you can use noun in a sentence. First, you can use a noun as the subject of a sentence. Similarly, you can use noun clauses as the subjects. Second, you can use a noun as the object of a verb or preposition. Similarly, you can use noun clauses as the object of verbs or prepositions. These noun clauses start with “That”, “How”, “Whether”, “If” and “Wh” words. 

Examples

• Rahim knows how students can do well in examinations.
• The principal informs that Kamal has done well in his test exam. 
• What you said is true.
• Whoever gets height marks will get a prize.
• You cannot do whatever you like.

Adjective Clause

An Adjective clause modifies a noun in a sentence. This is a subordinate clause. It behaves like an adjective. This is also known as the Relative clause. It usually comes just after the noun which it modifies. Adjective clauses usually start with either a relative pronoun or a relative adverb. It gives important information about the noun after which it is used. Some relative pronouns are That, Who, Whom, Whose and Which. Some of the relative adverbs are Where, When, Why, and How. 

Examples

• I am looking for the pen that was lost yesterday.
• Karim puts on the shoes that originally belonged to his father. 
• The old man who sits over there looks sad. 
• The boy whom the teacher taught a lesson yesterday behaved properly today. 
• I dream of living in a city where there will be no environmental pollution. 
• I have no idea how I can solve this mathematical problem.
• Climate change is the reason why people of the eastern part of Bangladesh are suffering from recurring floods. 

Adverbial Clause

The clause which functions like an adverb in a sentence is called an Adverbial Clause. It is one of the types of subordinate clauses. We know that adverbs usually modify Adjectives, Verbs, Adverbs, and even sentences. Similarly, adverbial clauses will modify Adjectives, Verbs, Adverbs, and even Sentences or Clauses. But it does not modify nouns or pronouns. 

Examples

• When Latif comes, I will go to market with him.
• Although he did not study hard, he passed the examination.
• The presence of students is low because it is raining.
• When I complete my graduation, I will start a business. 
• While we were sleeping, the thief entered our house.

Coordinate Clause

The principal clauses that are joined by coordinating conjunctions to express elaborate meaning are called Coordinate clauses. Some coordinate conjunctions are And, Or, But, Either…Or, Neither…Nor, Not Only…..But Also, etc. Coordinate clauses are mainly used in compound or compound-complex sentences. So the characteristics of coordinate clauses are :

• There will be more than one independent clause.
• These independent clauses are joined by coordinating conjunctions.
• Coordinate clauses are found in compound or compound-complex sentences. 

Examples

• Karim likes rice but Rahim loves bread.
• We are going to Cox’s Bazar or we can go to India the next winter.
• I prefer traveling by bus but she always wants to go by train.
• Either you stay at home or you can come with me to the market.
• Not only Karim is an English teacher but also he is a freelancer. 

Exercise

1. A clause must have__

• (a) only a verb
• (b) a subject 
• (c) cause and effect 
• (d) subject and verb

2. ‘The children are safe.’ is __

• (a) an independent clause
• (b) a main clause 
• (c) both 
• (d) none 

3. Because she is intelligent, she thinks for herself. Here underlined clause is a/an__

• (a) dependent
• (b) independent
• (c) principal
• (d) none

4. Which part of the sentence “Rahim said that he was good” is subordinate clause?

• (a) Rahim said
• (b) that he was good
• (c) was god 
• (d) he was good

5. Identify the clause of the underlined part of the sentence: I took notice of him, so he flew into rage. 

• (a) co-ordinate
• (b) None
• (c) Adjective 
• (d) Adverbial

6. Identify the clause of the underlined part of the sentence: That he is dishonest is known to all.

• (a) noun
• (b) Adverbial
• (c) Principal
• (d) Co-ordinate

7. Identify the clause of the underlined part of the sentence: That he is very intelligent is known to me.

• (a) adverbial 
• (b) an adjective 
• (c) a main 
• (d) a noun

8. Identify the clause of the underlined part of the sentence: The station master knows when the train will depart.

• (a) noun
• (b) adverbial
• (c) adjective
• (d) a noun phrase 

9. Identify the clause of the underlined part of the sentence: I know that he is thoroughly honest.

• (a) main 
• (b) noun
• (c) adjective
• (d) adverbial

10 Identify the clause of the underlined part of the sentence: I know that he has passed.

• (a) Adverbial
• (b) Principal
• (c) Adjective
• (d) Noun

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