Clauses: Noun, Adjectival And Adverbial Clauses

This is a group of words that is grammatically arranged that contains a subject and predicate. It could as well be defined as a sequence of words arranged grammatically and which have in it the subject and the verb. The important points are that it -

• is a well arranged group of words that are grammatically meaningful
• must have a subject
• must have a verb

The two (2) most important type of clauses are:

1. THE INDEPENDENT/MAIN
2. THE DEPENDENT/SUBORDINATE

Examples include:

Independent dependent

• We found out / that the roof leaks

An independent clause (or main) is one that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It may be part of a larger sentence, but if it is removed from the sentence, it still forms a complete sentence by itself. For example -

• After we bought the house, we found a crack in it.

The underlined sentence is an independent clause. It is not begin with a subordinator, relative pronoun or a relative adverb. So, a dependent/subordinate one normally begins with a subordinator, relative pronoun or relative adverb and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Such a clause must be connected to or included in an independent/main clause to complete it.

dependent independent

• When the referee blew the whistle, / the match stopped.

A dependent/subordinate clause performs the same function as a noun, adjective or adverb.

TYPES OF DEPENDENT OR SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

There are three (3) main types of clauses and they are:

1. NOUN
2. ADJECTIVAL
3. ADVERBIAL

NOUN CLAUSE

It performs the function of a noun. It fills the position or positions that a noun or nouns may fill in a sentence. A noun phrase is typically introduced by that, who, what, whom, whoever, whichever, whether, where, when, why and how.

Examples:

Note: SVOCA (Subject, Verb, Object, Complement and Adjunct)

1. The insult greatly pained him (S,A,V,O)

This can be reproduced as in the sentence below -

That Tina insulted him greatly pained him

• It is a noun clause (NC)
• It functions as the subject of the sentence

2. The cook gave us food. (S,V, Independent Object, dependent object)

This can be reproduced as in the sentence below -

The cook gave us what to eat.

• It is a NC
• It functions as the object of the sentence

3. Honesty is what we want. (as subject complement in the sentence)

4. We call him what he like. (as object complement)

ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE

It modifies or describes a noun, pronoun or other groups of words serving as noun. An adjectival clause usually follows the words that he modifies and it is typically introduced by relative pronouns and relative adverbs.

Examples:

1. The lady whose car was stolen is here

• It is an adjectival clause (AC)
• It modifies the noun 'lady'.

2. This is the house where I live.

• It is an AC
• It modifies the noun 'house'.

3. Can you think of any good reason why I should go to class?

• It is an AC
• It modifies the noun 'reason'.

ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

It modifies a verb or an adjective. It is usually introduced by relative adverbs or subordinating conjunction like unless, because, as if, in case, until, before, although, in as much as, etc. Several kinds are recognized. Adverbial clause could be of time, place, manner, reason, purpose, condition, concession and comparison.

1. Simi hissed when she saw Joy (of time, modifies the verb hissed)
2. Mike left his book where it can be seen (of place, modifies the verb left)
3. She ran as if she had a lion chasing her (of manner, modifies the verb ran)
4. He apologized because he knew he was wrong (adverbial clause of reason, modifies the verb apologized)
5. She trained so that she might win (of purpose, modifies the verb trained)
6. You will fail if you are idle (of condition, modifies the verb fail)
7. Although, he is poor, he is honest (of concession, modifies the verb is)
8. He is not as old as I thought (of comparison, modifies the verb is)