Today's topic: What is Clause? How many types, ways of recognizing and finally being part of the practice.
In order to dominate the English Grammar, one must have a thorough idea about the structure of each sentence.
Clause is a very important topic in that respect. Moreover, almost all the exams have questions from Clause in the English grammar part. And it's a topic where more or less everyone has some or the other problem. I will try to write something about Clause very easily. If you understand this post well, I hope you will not have any problem recognizing your Clause after this. So let's get started.
Clause:
A Clause is a group / combination of words having at least one subject one subject and a finite verb of its own and it is used acts as a single element in or a part of a big / whole sentence.
(Clause is a set of words that has a subject and a concluding verb of its own but is used as part / an element of a complete sentence.)
E.g.
1. Jannat has a pen which is red.
2. I know where he lives.
3. Tell me when he will come.
Features of Clause: -
1. There will be group / combination of words.
2. There will be at least one subject and one finite verb.
3. Will be used as a part of the sentence and
4. Clause usually starts with a Clause maker.
More Examples:
a) I saw a child who was crying.
b) Purnima looks beautiful, but she is a dull student.
c) Shakila wants an English teacher who will be experienced.
Explanation: The above —
a) sentence who was crying is a clause because it consists of a few words. There is a subject and a finite verb. Moreover it is not a full sentence. Used as a part of the sentence. And ‘who’ has been used as a clause maker.
Classification of Clauses:
There are mainly 3 types of clauses.
E.g.
1. Principal Clause
2. Sub-ordinate Clause
3. Co-ordinate Clause
Again,
Subordinate Clause is divided into three classes: -
1. Noun clause.
2. Adjective clause / Relative Clause
3. Adverbial Clause.
Note:
Just as a syllable can be found by breaking a word, so can multiple clauses be found in English compound and complex. There is a Clause with only 1 subject and one Finite Verb. Remember only one finite verb. If there is more than one finite verb, you will understand that there are more than one clauses. And the subject is not always mentioned, many times implied. So always pay attention to the verb. Must have a finite verb. Non finite as much as there is, if not there is not.
There are 3 types of non finite verbs
1. to + verb,
2. v + ing (except continuous tense)
3. v3 (except perfect tense)
If you do not understand these 3 types of finite verb.
Notice the following examples:
1. Do or Die.
2. Everyday, he helps his father.
3. Since the weather was cold, we could not start out journey.
.
The 1st sentence has 2 finite verbs, one do another die (so it doesn't match any of the non finite,). That means there are 2 clauses here. See in the 2nd sentence helps the only finite verb due to which it has a Clause. In the 3rd sentence was and start, since there are 2 finite verbs, there are 2 clauses here.
1. Principal Clause: A clause that does not depend on any other clause to express its meaning or meaning and can express the full meaning without the help of any other clause is called Principal Clause. There is no sentence without principal clause. Simple sentences are always Principal Clause. It is also called Independent clause as it is not dependent on any other clause. (The principal clause or Independent clause or main clause is a group of words having a subject and verb which is not dependent on any other clause to express its meaning. An independent clause is a sentence.)
Example:
Sakib has a girlfriend who is very beautiful.
Explanation: In the above sentence “Sakib has a girlfriend” is a Principal Clause because, even if it is written separately from the sentence, it can express the full meaning on its own. For example: "Sakib has a girlfriend" (Sakib has a girlfriend).
2. Sub-ordinate Clause: A clause that relies on the principal clause to express its meaning or connotation and forms a complex sentence in conjunction with the principal clause is called a sub-ordinate clause. It is also called dependent clause as it is dependent on Principal Clause. (The sub-ordinate or dependent clause is a group of words having a subject and verb which is dependent on principal clause to express its meaning. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence.)
Example:
Rana wanted a shirt which was costly.
Explanation: In the above sentence "which was costly." A sub-ordinate clause because, if it is written separately from the sentence, it cannot express the full meaning on its own without the Principal Clause (Rana wanted a shirt).
For example: which was costly (which was expensive) but the question remains, which one?
Note: The sub-ordinate clause always begins with subordinating conjunctions, such as - if, that, who, which, when, how, where, while, whether, since, as, because, though, although, till, until, unless, before, after , so that, whenever, wherever, whoever, whatever etc.
More Examples: -
I know where he lives.
I do not know what his name is.
While there is life there is hope
We eat so that we can survive.
I know when he comes.
It is certain that he will pass.
If you want, I shall help you.
3. Co-ordinate Clause: When two or more Principal Clauses of the same class or class are joined by a co-ordinating conjunction, it is called Co-ordinate Clause. (When two or more principal clauses are connected by a co-ordinating conjunction is called co-ordinate Clause.)
Example:
He tried hard but he could not win the race. (Here "He tried hard" and "he could not win the race."
Note: Co-ordinate clauses usually begin with co-ordinating conjunctions such as: and, but, yet, still, or, for, nor, also, however, moreover, thus, so, therefore, else,, as well as, accordingly, otherwise, not yet, but also, either or, neither nor, on the contrary etc.
More Examples:
Respect others, and others will respect you.
He loves us, but he does not show it.
Shamim went to market and bought a Samsung mobile phone.
He is slow but he is sure.
Rana as well as Rani have done the work.
Work hard otherwise you will fail in the exam.
He studied hard therefore he stood first.
Now look at the example:
Since he was ill, he could not go to school.
There are 2 clauses here. since he was ill means "since he was ill" which does not express the full meaning so it is a sub-ordinate clause. Again, he could not go to school, which means "he could not go to school", which means full, so it is Principal clause.
See another example:
The man who came here yesterday is my brother.
There are 2 clauses here too (notice the finite verb). But another clause inside a clause. The principal clause is "the man is my brother", and the subordinate is "who came here yesterday".
See another example:
I went to Khulna and met my friends.
The two clauses here are independent, even if separated, they can express their own meaning. That is, one clause is not dependent on another clause. Since 2 is the Principal clause, it is a co-ordinate clause, which I have already written.
Usually if there is more than one clause, there is a clause marker (and, but, or, since, as, that, wh ..., etc) between the 2 clauses or at the beginning of the subordinate clause.
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