Clause: Simplified Meaning, Types And Usage In English Grammar

A clause is a group of words that is suppose to be a part of a sentence. It may not start with a capital letter and neither does it end with a full stop because it’s a part of a sentence. It is therefore possible to have a set of words that is described at a time as a clause only to be described as a sentence at another time. E.g, he killed a goat (clause). He killed the goat. (sentence).

Clause can be divided into two namely: mainly or independent clause.

Main Clause
The main clause verb is that part of a sentence which contains a finite verb and expresses the main idea, the writer is putting across. E.g. He killed the goat (main clause) because it eats his yam (subordinate clause).

In the above sentence, the message is that he killed the goat (main clause) and the subordinate clause is the explanation of the reason for the action. Furthermore, a main clause can stand on its own in terms of meaning.

Subordinate Clause
Subordinate clause quite unlike the main clause is an explanation of group of words that made up the main clause. It can also be the justification of the entire main clause. Example:

Unless Jude studies well, he may not pass the next examination. The underlined words are subordinate clause and is the condition of the verb pass in the main clause.
Types of Subordinate Clause
There are three main types of subordinate clause namely: Noun Clause, Relative or Adverbial Clause and Adverbial Clause.

Noun Clause
Noun Clause, like the noun, performs two principal grammatical functions. As such, they can be found in the subject position and the object position and the object position in sentences.

Examples:
1. What caused the fire is being investigated.
2. That the nation’s economy is bad is no news.
3. The underline words are the subject of the sentence.
4. I knew she was going to stop sleeping at noon.
5. The gentleman read about what led to the riot.

The underlined words are the objects of the sentence.

Relative or Adjectival Clause
These are clauses which qualify nouns, pronouns and adjectives by telling us more about them through description.
Most relative clause are introduced by relative pronoun such as who, which, whose, when, whom and that.

The functions of a relative clause is the same as that of adjectival clause. This is qualifying the noun or pronoun that is preceded in a sentence. Examples:
1. I release the project to somebody who appears to be reasonable in the class. Functions: Who qualifies the pronoun somebody.
2. The landlord whose house was burgled has reported to the Police. Function: whose qualifies the noun Landlord.
3. The dress which my husband bought for me suits my shape. Function: Which qualifies the noun, dress.

Adjectival Clause
Adverbial clause like the one word adverb, modifies a verb by telling us more about them. They are described according to what they say about the verbs the modifies.
1. Adverbial Clause of Place:- This clause describe the place where the action (verb) of the main clause has taken place. It answers the question where.
Examples:-
Sola led us to where we could find the missing boy.
He has returned the money to where he picked it.
2. Adverbial Clause of reason. The reason for the action expressed by the lexical verb in the main clause is explained by this clause. It is often introduced by because and it answers the question why? E.g She failed the exam because she did not read.
He was jailed because the judge hated his face.

3. Adverbial Clause of Time: This is a specification of the time when action took place. It answers the question when e.g. He came in immediately. Paul went to the market.

4. Adverbial Clause of Conditions:- Usually introduced by if, unless. This clause states the condition for the action of the verb in the main clause. E.g. They may not have peace unless they release it.

Assignment
1. What is a Clause?
2. Mention the three types of subordinate clause.

 

In summary, a clause is very important tool in English grammar. Is a set of words that can be rightly described at a time as a clause and as a sentence at another time. We need them for good written and English Communication skills.