CLAUSE CONCEPT

A clause in grammar is a group of words

that includes a subject and a verb. A
clause creates a complete thought (an
idea or a statement that can stand alone).
A complete thought is also called a main
clause or independent clause (IC).
 Examples of Independent Clause
• Subject + verb. = complete thought (IC)
• I eat. = complete thought (IC)
• Sharon speaks. = complete thought (IC)
 Dependent or subordinate clause
• A subordinate clause (or dependent clause) is
a clause that cannot stand alone as a
complete sentence because it does not
express a complete thought. Like all clauses,
a subordinate clause has a subject and verb.
EXAMPLES OF DEPENDENT CLAUSE
• When the president arrives
• Because I can't wait for the bus
• Whom we met after the movie
• When the leaves turn colors and fall
• What she anticipated
• Whose writing is always intriguing
 Kind of Dependent Clauses
• 1. Adverb clauses
• 2. Adjective clauses
• 3. Noun clauses

• 1. Adverb clauses modify verbs and begin

with subordinating conjunctions.
List of subordinated conjunctions
More subordinating Conjunctions
 Adverb Clause concept
• An adverb clause is a dependent clause that,
like an adverb, modifies an adjective, an
adverb, or a verb or verb phrase. An adverb
clause begins with words such as after,
although, because, before, if, since, than, until,
when, and while.
• https://www.k12reader.com/term/adverb-cla
use/
Adverb Clause modifies to the verb
More adverb clauses that modify to the verb

• We will wait until Charlie finishes making his

lunch .
• ( Until Charlie finishes making his lunch is an
adverb clause. It contains the
subject Charlie and the verb finishes. The
clause modifies the verb phrase will wait.)
Adverb Clause modifies to the verb phrase

• If Brian fixes his flat tire today , he can go for

a bike ride.
• ( If Brian fixes his flat tire today is a dependent
clause. It contains the subject Brian and the
verb fixes. The clause modifies the verb
phrase can go.)
Adverb clause modifies to the verb phrase

• Marcel will make a restaurant

reservation when we choose a night to go .
• ( When we choose a night to go is an adverb
clause. It contains the subject we and the
verb choose. The clause modifies the verb
phrase will make.)
Adverb Clause modifies to the adjective

• Keiko’s report was the best because she did

the most research .
• ( Because she did the most research is an
adverb clause. It contains the subject she and
the verb did. The clause modifies the
adjective best.)
 More adverb clauses modifies to the
adjective
• Gretchen’s latest novel is funnier than her
previous book was .
• ( Than her previous book was is an adverb
clause. It contains the subject book and the
verb was. The clause modifies the
adjective funnier.)
 Adverb Clause modifies to the adverb

• The dancers are going to practice in the studio

now while they have the chance .
• ( While they have the chance is an adverb
clause. It contains the subject they and the
verb have. The clause modifies the
adverb now.)
More adverb clauses that modify adverbs

• This computer works better than my last one

did .
• ( Than my last one did is an adverb clause. It
contains the subject one and the verb did. The
clause modifies the adverb better.)
 Examples of Adverb Clauses
• When the president arrives
• Because I can't wait for the bus
• As if he knew what was going to happen
• Than his sister can
• If you can work on Sundays
• Until the sun sets
• While flowers continue to bloom
• Whenever you come to visit
 Adjective Clauses

• An adjective clause is a dependent clause

that, like an adjective, modifies a noun or
pronoun. An adjective clause begin with
words such as that, when, where, who, whom,
whose, which, and why, and sometimes begin
with a subordinating conjunction
• https://www.k12reader.com/term/adjective-cl
ause/
 ADJECTIVE CLAUSES DIVISION
• An essential (or restrictive) adjective clause provides
information that is necessary for identifying the word it
modifies. A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) adjective clause
provides additional information about the word it modifies,
but the word’s meaning is already clear. Nonessential clauses
are always set off with commas.
Essential clause:
 Nonessential clause:

• The house on the left, which belongs to

Nicole, is up for sale.
• (Which belongs to Nicole is a nonessential
adjective clause. It contains the
subject which and the verb belongs. The
clause modifies the noun house, providing
additional, nonessential information about it.)
• Put the clause between commas
Adjective Clause that modifies a Noun
 More adjective clauses that modify the
noun
• This is the park where we can walk the dogs.
• (Where we can walk the dogs is an adjective
clause. It contains the subject we and the verb
phrase can walk. The clause modifies the
noun park.)
 More adjective clauses that modify the
noun
• Do you remember the time when we almost
missed the swim meet?
• (When we almost missed the swim meet is an
adjective clause. It contains the
subject we and the verb missed. The clause
modifies the noun time.)
More adjective clauses that modify the noun

• Derek is the sibling to whom I am closest.

• (To whom I am closest is an adjective clause. It
contains the subject I and the verb am. The
clause modifies the noun sibling.)
Adjective Clauses to modify Pronouns
Relative Pronouns
More Relative Pronouns
 Examples of Adjective Clauses
• That I sold him
• Which is located in Italy
• Who is intelligent
• Whom we met after the movie
• Whose writing is always intriguing
• When the leaves turn colors and fall
• Where I went to elementary school
Indefinitive pronouns are omitted when they are
followed by Object pronouns
• A relative pronoun is used to connect a clause
or phrase to a noun or pronoun. The clause
modifies, or describes, the noun. The most
common relative pronouns are who, whom,
whose, which, and that. Sometimes when and
where can be used as relative pronouns as
well.
 Noun Clauses
• A noun clause is a dependent clause that acts
as a noun. Noun clauses begin with words
such as how, that, what, whatever, when,
where, whether, which, whichever, who,
whoever, whom, whomever, and why. Noun
clauses can act as subjects, direct objects,
indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or
objects of a preposition.
• https://www.k12reader.com/term/noun-claus
e/
 PREDICATE NOMINATIVE
• A predicate nominative (also called
a predicate noun) is a word or group of words
that completes a linking verb and renames the
subject. A predicate nominative is always a
noun or a pronoun.
Predicate Nominative
More examples about Predicate Nominative
 Object of the Preposition
• In English grammar, the object of
a preposition is a noun, noun phrase, or
pronoun that follows a preposition and
completes its meaning.
Examples of Noun Clause as a
Subject
 More examples about Noun Clause as a
Subject
• Whichever restaurant you pick is fine with
me.
• ( Whichever restaurant you pick is a noun
clause. It contains the subject you and the
verb pick. The clause acts as a subject in the
sentence.)
 Noun Clause as Direct Object
• Noun Clause Examples #5) Do you know what
the weather will be?
• ( What the weather will be is a noun clause. It
contains the subject weather and the verb
phrase will be. The clause acts as a direct
object in the sentence.)
 More Noun Clauses as Direct Object

• Noun Clause Examples #9) I wonder how long

we should wait here.
• ( How long we should wait here is a noun
clause. It contains the subject we and the verb
phrase should wait. The clause acts as a direct
object in the sentence.)
 Noun Clause as Indirect Object
• Be sure to send whoever interviewed you a
thank-you note.
• ( Whoever interviewed you is a noun clause. It
contains the subject whoever and the
verb interviewed. The clause acts as an
indirect object in the sentence.)
 More Noun clause as Indirect Object

• Noun Clause Examples #10) Always

give whichever audience you perform for a
great show.
• ( Whichever audience you perform for is a noun
clause. It contains the subject you and the
verb perform. The clause acts as an indirect
object in the sentence.)
Noun Clause as Object of the Preposition

• Choose a gift for whomever you want.

• ( Whomever you want is a noun clause. It
contains the subject you and the verb want.
The clause acts as an object of the
preposition for in the sentence.)
 Noun Clause as Predicate Nominative

• My greatest asset is that I am a hard worker.

• ( That I am a hard worker is a noun clause. It
contains the subject I and the verb am. The
clause acts as a predicate nominative in the
sentence, identifying asset.)