Grammar: Clauses 2 by Egurriase S. M. Okaka
Grammar: Clauses 2
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.
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A clause may be either a sentence (an independent clause) or a sentence-like construction within another sentence (a dependence clause).
Note that a clause is a construction which contains a verb. An expression (construction) that contains no verb is regarded as a phrase.
Exercise
Read the following expressions and write whether they are clauses or phrases. The first one has been done for you.
1. We were delayed for thirty days (clause).
2. Because he has no money --------------------.
3. Nigeria must increase the allocation --------------.
4. Posting of teachers is on merit ----------------------.
5. He resigns ---------------------.
6. The NURTW spokesman ------------------------.
Types of clauses
There are two types of clauses:
• Main clause
• Subordinate clause
A main clause is also known as an independent clause. This is because this clause can stand on its own and make sense. An independent clause is a simple sentence (containing one idea).
Examples main clause diagram 1
A subordinate clause is also known as a dependent clause. It does not stand on its own and does not make sense until it is joined to a main clause.
Examples subordinate clause diagram 2
If we merge the main and independent clauses above, we would have the following:
• I can believe anything provided that it is credible.
• When liberty is taken away by force, it can be restored by force.
• Freedom may never be recovered when it is relinquished by force.
Exercise
Divide the following the sentences into main clause and subordinate clause using MC or SC.
• I can believe anything / provided that it is credible.
• Even though I cannot sing, I love music.
• Before writing, study the questions carefully.
• Bala woke early because iit was his birthday.
• We want to thank you for being with us.
• If you spit into the well, you will drink it back as water.
Types of subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses are classified according to the form of verb they contain.
There are main subordinate clauses are tested in examinations. These are:
• Noun (nominal) clause
• Adjectival (relative) clause
• Adverbial clause
Noun (nominal) clauses
Noun clauses perform the same functions in a sentence as nouns. A noun clause is a dependent clause which relies on other parts of the sentence.
The verbs in the above sentences are: shocked, was commended, is planning, was rejected, and depends.
The underlined words are like subjects of the various verbs. For example, the underlined words in the first sentence are noun clause and subject of the verb.
Reminder
The object answer the question who or what after the verb. The signpost how, where, when in the sentences above did just that. They are not adverbials. Adverbials show manner, reason, place, or time.
• He knew what?
• He did not consider what?
• The dictator did not say what?
• No knows what?
• We were not told what?
Exercise
Noun clause as the object of a preposition
Adjectival (relative) clause
An adjectival clause and a relative clause are the same thing.
a) A relative clause must contain a verb in order to be called a clause.
b) It will begin with a relative pronoun – who, whose, whom, which and that –or a relative adverb – why, where, when.
c) It will function as an adjective answering the question:
• What kind?
• How many?
• Which one?
d) It will follow a noun or a pronoun.
e) It cannot stand on its own as a sentence but depends on another clause.
Defining relative clauses
The defining (or restrictive) relative clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence it is in because it defines the subject by telling us which one or which person/thing we are talking about.
• Which vegetables?
• Which children?
• Which church?
• Which man?
• Which car?
a) These are the vegetables which I planted on my farm.
b) The children that went on an excursion had arrived.
c) The church which had just been completed is open for service.
d) The man who lost his wife was given a huge charity.
Non-defining relative clauses
The defining (or restrictive) relative clause adds extra information to the person or thing in the main clause that was already sufficient and clear. Such extra information is not necessary to make sense of the sentence. Non-defining relative clauses are separated by comma from their main clauses.
Exercise 1
Add the appropriate pronoun from the list to fill in the blanks in the sentences below:
• Why
• When
• Where
• Who
• Whose
• Which
• That
a) This is the house --------------------- my father built.
b) The fish ----------------- I ate yesterday tasted bad.
c) I know the man -------------- stole the goat.
d) We did not remember the time ----------------- we started.
e) Sadia could not locate the book -------------------- she saw in the picture.
f) Can someone tell us the reason --------------- we study English.
Exercise 2
Identify the type and state the function of each of the underlined clauses in the following sentences. One has been done for you.
That he is rich is a known fact.
Answer: A noun clause functioning as the subject of the sentence.
• She married John who is a good doctor.
• The government wants to talk about whatever they can do to help the poor.
• I didn’t hear what you said.
• The man who won the award has arrived.
• What he did was wrong.
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