Clauses and Types

The various words can be classified into categories such as adverbs, verbs, nouns, adjectives, and so on. The sentence is essentially a collection of different words that have been arranged or structured in a meaningful way to convey meaning. The phrases, on the other hand, are a collection of words that do not have a clear meaning or topic, and in some cases do not even contain a verb. As a result, the inclusion of phrases in the sentence provides meaning. The clause is found in the middle of sentences and phrases, if not at the beginning or end. The clause has a clearly defined subject, meaning, predicate, and verb (or a combination of these).

Clauses Can Be Divided Into Several Types

Let’s take a look at the meaning of clauses and the different types of clauses. We can categorise the various words that are available as verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns, and so on. Consequently, the sentence is made up of a collection of these words that have been arranged in a meaningful manner. A group of words with no clear meaning, no subject, and no verb is referred to as a phrase in English. As a result, including them in the sentences will add meaning to them.

So the clause is sandwiched between the sentences and phrases. It has a clear meaning, as well as a subject, a predicate, and a verb. We will now learn about the different types of clauses as well as clause examples.

Types of Clauses 

When it comes to clauses in English, there are two different types: the Independent clause and the Dependent clause. Also known as the principal clause, the independent clause is the first clause in a sentence. It contains both a subject and a verb, and it can be used to form a complete sentence. Due to the fact that they function as sentences, they cannot be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. She is intelligent, for example, is an example of an independent clause.

The dependent clause, also known as the subordinate clause, is required for the complete meaning of the sentence to be conveyed by the independent clause and vice versa. The dependent clause is composed of a subject, a verb, and a predicate, but it does not function as a complete sentence because the subjects and verbs rely on the independent clause for support. The following is an example of a dependent clause: He cried after he fell down the stairs. The dependent clause can be used as a noun clause, an adverb clause, or an adjective clause, among other things.

Conditional clauses, relative clauses, and other types of dependent clauses are examples of dependent clauses. In order to describe something that is possible or probable, the conditional clause is utilised. It starts with either “unless” or “unless not.” 

Several words, such as “that,” “which,” “whose,” “who,” “when,” and others, are used to connect the relative clause to the main clause in a sentence.

It is possible to divide the relative clause into two categories: restrictive clauses and non-restrictive clauses.

Clauses can be classified into two types: adverbial and adverbial clauses.

Independent Clause:

It is referred to as a principal clause in some circles. It can be used as a sentence because it contains both a subject and a verb. Because they function as a sentence, they cannot be used as nouns, adverbs, or adjectives on their own.

As an illustration, “she is intelligent.”

Dependent Clause:

It is also referred to as a subordinate clause because it is dependent on an independent clause in order to provide the full meaning of the sentence. This dependent clause is composed of a verb, a subject, and a predicate, but they are unable to function as a sentence on their own; instead, they require the assistance of an independent clause.

These can be used as a noun, an adverb, and an adjective, among other things.

Noun Clause:

When a dependent clause performs the function of a noun, it is referred to as a noun clause. These can serve as either the subject or the verb of the object.

As an illustration, “I believe she enjoys that chocolate cake.”

Adverb Clause:

When a dependent clause performs the function of an adverb, the clause is referred to as an adverb clause. It performs the action of an adverb, which is to modify the verb or another adverb or adjective in the sentence.

Adjective Clause:

When a dependent clause performs the function of an adjective, the clause is referred to as an adjective clause. This phrase can be used to qualify a noun or pronoun that is already present in the sentence.

For example, “I’ve borrowed that pen with blue ink from a friend.”

We have some other types:

Conditional Clause:

In order to describe something that is probable or possible, the clause is used. It starts with the words “if or unless.”

Relative Clauses:

When certain words, such as which, that, who, whose (or whom), when (or where), or where (are used), the relative clause is connected to the main clause.

As an illustration, “I visited this location while travelling through Switzerland.”

A noun clause does not follow any particular pattern; instead, it simply functions as a noun.

For example, I’d like to know what ingredients were used in the cake that your aunt made for me.

For example, “I’m really interested in learning what your aunt puts in the cake.”

Conclusion

In English grammar, a clause is defined as a group of words that occurs as part of sentences. They are distinguished by having a subject, a clear meaning, and a predicate. Essentially, these clauses can be divided into two types: Principal clause or independent clause and dependent clause, and they can be further subdivided into different types depending on how they are used, like: adjective clause, adverbial clause and noun clause.