Clause Types in Detail
###
#### Objectives
– Understand different types of clauses: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverbial clauses.
– Learn how to identify and use each type of clause in sentences effectively.
– Apply rules of punctuation and conjunctions in clause construction accurately.
#### Topics
##### 1. **Definition and Overview of Clauses**
– **Clause:**
– A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.
– Can be either independent (can stand alone as a sentence) or dependent (cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause).
##### 2. **Noun Clauses**
**Definition:**
– A dependent clause that functions as a noun within a sentence. It can act as a subject, object, or complement.
**Common Introducers:**
– that, if, whether, who, what, why, how, when, where, whom
**Functions:**
– **Subject**: *What she said* was surprising.
– *What she said* is the subject of the sentence.
– **Object**: I don’t know *what she said*.
– *what she said* is the direct object of the verb “know.”
– **Subject Complement**: The problem is *that we ran out of time*.
– *that we ran out of time* is the complement of the subject “The problem.”
**Examples:**
– **As a Subject:**
– *That he is a good person* is obvious.
– *What she decided* baffled everyone.
– **As an Object:**
– I believe *that the Earth is round*.
– She asked *whether we were coming*.
– **As a Complement:**
– My belief is *that everyone deserves a second chance*.
– The fact is *that she never arrived*.
**Common Errors:**
– **Incorrect:** I don’t understand *that why she left*.
– **Correct:** I don’t understand *why she left*.
##### 3. **Adjective Clauses**
**Definition:**
– A dependent clause that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. It provides more information about a noun in the main clause.
**Common Introducers:**
– who, whom, whose, which, that
**Functions:**
– Usually follows the noun or pronoun it modifies.
– Can be restrictive (necessary for the meaning of the sentence) or non-restrictive (extra information, not necessary).
**Examples:**
– **Restrictive (No Commas):**
– The book *that she lent me* was interesting.
– Students *who study hard* get good grades.
– **Non-restrictive (With Commas):**
– My brother, *who is a doctor*, lives in New York.
– The car, *which was red*, sped away.
**Usage Rules:**
– Use “who” and “whom” for people.
– Use “that” for things in restrictive clauses.
– Use “which” for things in non-restrictive clauses.
**Common Errors:**
– **Incorrect:** She is the woman *which helped me*.
– **Correct:** She is the woman *who helped me*.
##### 4. **Adverbial Clauses**
**Definition:**
– A dependent clause that functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It explains when, where, why, how, to what extent, or under what condition.
**Common Introducers:**
– because, since, although, when, while, as soon as, if, unless, until, before, after, so that, wherever
**Functions:**
– **Time:** *When the bell rings*, we will start.
– **Place:** We will go *wherever you want*.
– **Cause/Reason:** *Because it was raining*, we stayed inside.
– **Condition:** *If it rains*, we will cancel the picnic.
– **Contrast:** *Although it was raining*, we had the picnic.
– **Purpose:** She brought an umbrella *so that she wouldn’t get wet*.
– **Manner:** Do it *as you were told*.
**Examples:**
– **Time:** We will begin *when the clock strikes twelve*.
– **Place:** Sit *wherever you like*.
– **Cause/Reason:** They left *because they were tired*.
– **Condition:** *If you study hard*, you will pass the exam.
– **Contrast:** *Although she is young*, she is very responsible.
– **Purpose:** She saved money *so that she could travel*.
– **Manner:** He spoke *as if he knew everything*.
**Common Errors:**
– **Incorrect:** *Although she was tired* but she finished her work.
– **Correct:** *Although she was tired*, she finished her work.
##### 5. **Punctuation Guidelines**
###### Independent and Dependent Clause Combinations:
– **Dependent Clause First:**
– If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma after it.
– Example: *When the rain stopped*, we went outside.
– **Independent Clause First:**
– If the independent clause comes first and the dependent clause follows, no comma is needed.
– Example: We went outside *when the rain stopped*.
###### Non-restrictive Adjective Clauses:
– Always set them off with commas.
– Example: My friend, *who is a teacher*, moved to Canada.
###### Restrictive Adjective Clauses:
– Do not use commas.
– Example: The students *who studied* passed the exam.
By understanding and correctly using different types of clauses, your writing will be more precise, varied, and complex, enabling you to convey your ideas more effectively.
