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CLASSIFICATION OF SENTENCES AND CLAUSES
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Clauses: Clauses are part of a sentence having one subject and one finite verb.
A complex sentence has both a main clause as well as a subordinate clause. Now subordinate clauses are classified into three categories.
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Noun clause: Noun clause is an explanatory nature. It explains the noun, pronoun, verb of the principal clause, or other clauses. Noun clause altogether functions like a noun.
e.g.
I thought that he loves studying.
(Here I thought is the principal clause and he loves studying is the subordinate clause which explains the verb ‘thought’ in the sentence. These two clauses are joined by ‘that’.)
Mina believes that Rani is honest.
(Here Mina believes is the principal clause and Rani is honest is the subordinate clause which explains the verb ‘thought’ in the sentence. These two clauses are joined by ‘that’.)
# In the case of universal truth, the tense of the noun clause is not changed; otherwise, the tense will be in the past if the tense of the principal clause is in past.
# Noun clauses are never in interrogative form.
# In case the noun clause begins with an interrogative pronoun, ‘that’ is put before such pronoun if it is followed by the main clause.
‘that’ + Interrogative pronoun of the noun clause + principal clause
e.g.
He told that when the result would be out was unsure.
I know that what he will eat depends on his mood.
# Following conjunctions are used-
What, when, where, that, whatever, if, who, which, whom, whatever
Adjective clause: Adjective clauses are qualifying in nature; it qualifies the noun, pronoun.
e.g.
I am hearing the song that you sang in the programme.
(Here, I am hearing the song is the principal clause and that you sang in the programme is the subordinate clause which qualifies the noun ‘the song’ in the sentence. These two clauses are joined by ‘that’.)
I lost the umbrella that my mother had gifted last year.
(Here, I lost the umbrella is the principal clause and that my mother had gifted last year is the subordinate clause which qualifies the noun ‘the umbrella’ in the sentence. These two clauses are joined by ‘that’.)
# Adjective clauses are never followed by the noun or pronoun that the adjective clause qualifies.
# To denote resemblance or qualification, the same and that is used with a noun.
e.g.
I will adopt the same strategy that my sister did for her boards.
I saw the same puppy that I fed last week.
# The same and as are used-
- Without noun or
- With the verb that expresses a resemblance
e.g.
I liked the same dress as my cousin did (liked).
Follow the same diet chart as I do.
# According to the noun or pronoun, the verb of the adjective clause should be decided (whether singular or plural)
# Conjunctions used here are relative pronouns like-
Who, which, where, how, as, that, why
# For non-living beings and animals, which is used
# For living-beings, who, whom, which are used.
Adverbial Clauses: Adverb clauses modify the adjective, verb, adverb of the main clause or other clause. If future tense is used in the adverb clause, it happens to be present.
This clause is further classified into the following sub-categories–
| Adverb clause of time | As the name suggests, it modifies the time
The coinciding and preceding/following activities must be clearly demarcated since the preceding one is usually in the perfect tense.
Past indefinite or past perfect will be used if the adverb clause begins with since or ever since and the principal clause will be as per the time expressed.
Conjunctions used- since, ever since, until, after, before, when, while, as
e.g. It has been long since you left India.
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| Adverb clause of place | One thing must be clearly understood that adverb clause of place does not modify the place mentioned in the principal clause; it modifies the place that the verb refers to.
Conjunctions used- Where, whereas, wherever
e.g. I will go where you take me to.
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| Adverb clause of purpose | As the name suggests, it indicates the purpose of the principal clause.
Conjunctions used- Lest, that, in order to, so that
e.g. Study hard so that you may perform well.
|
| Adverb clause of reason | It denotes the reason of the main clause
So and therefore are never used in the principal clause
Conjunctions used- Since, due to, that, as because.
e.g. I left the party because I was not feeling well.
|
| Adverb clause of result | It denotes the result of the main clause
Conjunctions used- So ……. that Such ….. that
So and Such are used in the principal clause followed by that in the adverb clause. |
| Adverb clause of contrast | It denotes the contrast with the main clause
Conjunctions used- Whether, although, though, even though, no matter what, no matter how
e.g. No matter what it costs, I will clear the UPSC examination.
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| Adverb clause of manner | It indicates in which manner things take place.
Conjunctions used- Like, as if, as, as though
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| Adverb clause of comparison | It denotes comparison between two persons or things or similar items
Than and as are used
e.g. Nadeem is taller than his cousin.
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| Adverb clause of condition | It is classified as under-
Present likely – Verb of main clause- will, shall Verb of subordinate clause- present indefinite
e.g.– I will go if you come tomorrow
Present unlikely (wish/regret)- Verb of main clause- would, should Verb of subordinate clause- subjunctive mood (that is used to denote doubt, imaginary things) of the verb
e.g.– I wish I were a bird
Past condition- Verb of main clause- would/should/might/could + have Verb of subordinate clause- past perfect
e.g. – I could have gone if you had informed me earlier.
Subjunctive mood of verb is used with if only, I wish, I would as these expressions indicate discontent or regret with the present.
In some cases, if is replaced by were, should, had
e.g. Had I studied hard, I would have scored well.
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Note: Not is not used when the clauses begin with lest, until, unless
Exercise- Spot the error:
1. As she plans/ to start a business,/so she will/ require investors./No error.
(refer to adverbial clause of reason)
2. Please wait/ for me until/I not/ reach the station./No error.
(refer to the last note of the chapter)
3. She will share/ her experience/ when she will/l return from the USA./No error.
(refer to adverb clause)
4. Just follow/ the same /diet chart I do./No error.
(refer to adjective clause)
5. I am talking about/ the girl which/ came to our college/ for admission./No error.
(refer to adjective clause)
6. We all/ know that /man was mortal./No error.
(refer to noun clause)
7. If she had/ informed us,/we would/ help her./No error.
(refer to adverb clause of condition- past condition)
8. It has been/a long time/ since I spoke/ with him./No error.
(refer to adverb clause of time)
9. Sunita knew/ that I will/ come to/ meet her./No error
(refer to noun clause)
10. My father/ and I went/ for dinner./No error
(refer to compound sentences)
