UNDERSTANDING CLAUSES, PHRASES AND SENTENCES
1. CLAUSE - A group of words that contain a subject and a verb is called a clause.
Example - He reads a book. ( He - subject, reads - verb, - reads a book - predicate)
Clauses are primarily categorized into two main types: Independent clause and dependent clause.
i) I went to school. - independent clause/main clause. (Because it makes sense on its own, it can stand alone as a complete sentence)
ii) Although I wasn't feeling well, I went to school. - dependent clause/subordinate clause.
(contains a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought.
dependent clause contains subordinating conjunctions (Because, Although, Since, If, While, Until, Unless, When, After, Before etc.) or relative pronouns (who, which, that etc.).
Example -
a) We will stay inside if it rains. (there is no comma - it makes complete sense) - independent clause.
b) If it rains, we will stay inside. ( the sentence contains two parts, separated by a comma - dependent clause)
Exercise for Practice
A. Identify dependent and independent clause.
B. Add an independent or dependent clause to complete each sentence correctly.
1. I know how to drive a car, but I enjoy riding bikes.
2. Naomi’s mother was out of town, so she took care of everyone at home.
3. I will finish my homework, before we go to the party.
4. I love to travel, I always look forward to coming home.
5. Although he studied all night, he still failed the exam. Key
7 types of Clauses - Two independent and Five dependent Clauses. Independent Clause - 1. Main Clause, 2. Coordinate Clause - it is connected to another independent clause of equal importance using a coordinating conjunction (like - and, but, or so)
Dependent Clauses - 1.Noun Clause, 2.Adjective Clause (relative), 3.Adverbial Clause, 4.Comparative Clause, 5.Conditional Clause.
1. Noun
Clause
- A
noun clause is a dependent clause that functions exactly like a noun.
Example
- 1.
Whoever reaches first gets a prize.
2.
Do you understand what the doctor said?
3. This
is exactly what
I was looking for.
2. Adjective Clause - An adjective clause (or relative clause) is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. It contains a subject and a verb and typically begins with a relative pronoun.
Example
- 1. The man whom
you met yesterday is my neighbour.
2. The
book that
you gave me is interesting.
3.
Do you remember the time when we went to the playground?
3. Adverbial Clause - An adverbial clause is a clause—a group of words with a subject and a verb—that acts as an adverb in a sentence to modify the main clause. They typically answer questions such as “when” (“before I sleep”), “where” (“where he studied”), “how” (“as you have always said”), and “why” (“so that we can go home”) about the main clause.
Example
- 1. We
stayed indoors because
it was raining.
(Why)
2.
After
the sun sets,
we will leavethis place. (When)
3.
Unless you run fast, you will miss the bus.(Condition) 4. He
painted the wall as exactly as the instructor showed him. (How)
5. They built their house where the old mango stood. ( Where)
4. Comparative
Clause - A comparative
clause is a subordinate clause that compares a main idea to
another, usually indicating equality, inequality, or degree. They are
commonly introduced by connecting words like than
(for unequal comparisons) or as
(for equal comparisons).
Comparisons
of Equality
Example -1.
The new smartphone is as
fast as
the computer. (adjective)
2. She sings as beautifully as a professional singer.
(adverb)
(adverb)
3.
We have as
many
books as
they have. (quantity)
Comparisons
of Inequality
Example
-
1. Today’s
weather is colder
than
it was yesterday. (adjective)
2.
Our team works faster
than
their team does.(adverb)
3.
He has more
experience than
the rest of the candidates. (quantity)
5. Conditional
Clause - A conditional clause is a part of a sentence that expresses a condition something that must happen before another event can occur. Conditional sentences are a type of complex sentence. It has two parts, typically starts with words like if, unless, or provided that and is paired with a main clause to describe the consequence or result of that condition. There are 4 main types of conditional clauses - Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, Type 3. (For details go to the grammar section in this blog)
Example - 1. If I win the lottery, I will buy a bike.
2. If you eat fast food, you get sick.
3. He’ll miss the flight, if he doesn’t leave soon.
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2. PHRASE
A Phrase is a group of words which makes a sense but not a complete sense.
Example - on the table, in the room, under the tree, how to red, made of steel, written by a famous author.
The main types of phrases in English grammar are noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase, adverb phrase, prepositional phrase, gerund phrase, participle phrase, infinitive phrase and absolute phrase.
1. Noun Phrase - A noun phrase can function as a subject, an object, or a complement in a sentence.
Example -1. The Sun rises in the east. 2. The tired worker fell asleep. 3. A group of students went into the hall. 4. I am reading my favourite book.(object position). 4. The window is open.
2. Verb Phrase - A verb is a group of words that includes a main verb, an auxiliary verb or modifiers. It functions as the predicate of a sentence and expresses an action, a state or an occurrence.
Example - He was reading the story. 2. She will attend the function tomorrow. 3. I study German.
3. Adjective Phrase - An adjective phrase is a group of words headed by an adjective that modifies a noun or a pronoun.
Example - 1. She gave a surprisingly simple answer. 2. The room was quite dark. 3. The tortoise is slow and steady. 4. The music from next door was annoyingly loud.
4. Adverbial Phrase - An adverbial phrase is a group of words that acts like an adverb—i.e., it modifies a verb, adjective, adverb, or even a whole clause.Like adverbs, adverbial phrases can be used to describe how (e.g., “with delight”), where (e.g., “on the chair”), when (e.g., “in the afternoon”), and why (e.g., “to read a novel”).
Example - 1. The bell rings at 4 pm everyday. 2. He ran as fast as he could. 3. She will get the bus, if she reaches the bus stop now. 4. Although it's raining, it's still warm outside.
5. Prepositional Phrase - A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase (object position).
Example - 1. The notebooks were kept on the table. 2. The shirt with gold buttons is my favourite.
3. I went for a long walk by the lake with my brother. (long and my are modifiers in the sentence)
6. Gerund Phrase - A gerund phrase is a group of words that begins with a gerund and contains a gerund and any modifiers or objects.
Example - 1. Drinking soft drinks regularly can cause health problems. 2. I enjoy swimming in the pond.
3. Cycling is an excellent exercise. 4. He loves spending time with his friends.
7. Participle Phrase - A participle phrase is a group of words containing a participle, a verb form ending in " -ed, -t, -d, -n, -en or -ing".
Example - 1. Coloured pages of the book. 2. He dislike washing dishes. 3. The story written by Ruskin bond is interesting. 4. Wandering through the forest I reached a lake. 5. Broken branches of the tree.
('words ending with -n' - shaken, sunken, known, given, drawn, frozen, thrown, shown etc,)
('words ending with -t' - meant, kept, smelt, burnt, crept, dwelt, learnt, dreamt, bent, wept etc.)
('words ending with -d' - abled, ached, aged, aisled, agreed, amazed, advertised etc,)
8. Infinitive Phrase - An infinitive starts with an infinitive. It is formed when an infinitive is followed by modifiers or complements including nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions.
Example - 1. He wants to sing a beautiful song. 2. She studied hard to get good grades. 3. He went to the market to buy oranges. 4. They started early to finish their work.
9. Absolute Phrase - An absolute phrase is a phrase that modifies an independent clause. It often contains a noun and a participle.
Example - 1. The poet penned the words, his memories pouring onto the page. 2. Being a friend, I can advise you. 3. Having the work done early, I decided to go to the movies. 4. The sun having set, the birds went to their nest.
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3. SENTENCE - A Sentence is a group of words that makes a complete sense. There are four types of sentences - 1. Declarative Sentence, 2. Imperative Sentence, 3. Interrogative Sentence,
4. Exclamatory Sentence.
1. Declarative/ Assertive (Affirmative as well as Negative) Sentence: It expresses an opinion or makes a statement. It ends with a full stop.
Example - The earth revolves round the sun.
2. Imperative Sentence: It is used to express an order, command or request. It often ends with full stop.
Example - Submit your assignments tomorrow.
3. Interrogative Sentence : Interrogative sentences ask a direct question and ends with a question mark.
Example - What are you doing?
4. Exclamatory Sentence - An exclamatory sentence express a sudden emotion and always ends with an exclamatory mark.
Example -What a beautiful sight !
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