A Clause, meaning, types and functional classification of a sentence.
A clause is a group of words that has a finite verb. It may not start a capital letter and neither does it end with a full stop because it is supposed to be a part of a sentence. It is therefore possible to have set of words that are described at a time as a clause and another time as a sentence.
Clause is divided into main and subordinate clause viz:
Main Clause:- Is that part of a sentence which contain a verb and expresses the main idea, the writer is putting across. E.g. He killed the goat (main clause).
Also, a main clause can stand on its own in terms of meaning.
Subordinate Clause:- A subordinate clause, unlike the main clause is an explanation of group of words that make up the main clause. It can also be the justification of the main clause. E.g. He killed the goat because it ate his yam.
He underlined words are the subordinate clause, giving us reason why he killed the goat.
Functional Classification of a Sentence
Sentences can also be classified according to the various grammatical functions they perform. Four of such functions are:
1. Declarative Sentence: They make statements. They express events as they occur in present, past and future tenses. E.g.
a. Lawal enjoyed playing football.
b. Ugo goes home weekly.
c. They will go to America tomorrow.
2. Imperative Sentence: Gives order, command and directive. E.g.
a. Stop writing
b. Go to your room immediately
c. Bring that book on the table.
d. Don’t talk to me.
3. Interrogative Sentence: They ask questions. Questions that seek for information. E.g.
a. How is your car behaving now?
b. Who scored the winning goal for your team?
c. Why have you come to disturb me?
4. Exclamatory Sentence:- It expresses surprise, some sudden emotion or feeling. They are identified by the inclusion of interjection mark at the end. E.g.
a. You saw the thief!
b. she is here!
c. Nigeria soccer team defeated Brazil!
d. You know him!
In summary, a clause is an integral part of a sentence. It may not have a capital beginning or a full stop but are set of words that are described at a time as a clause and another time as a sentence.