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A.Definition
A clause is a groupof related words containing a subject and a predicate.A clause may stand as a simple
sentence or may join another clause to make a sentence. Therefore, a sentence consists of one, two or
more clauses.
Examples:
He is sleeping.(one clause)
The kids were laughing at the joker.(one clause)
The teacher asked a question, but no one answered(two clauses)
I am happy, because I won a prize(two clauses)
I like Mathematics, but my brother likes Biology, because he wants to become a doctor. (three
clauses)
B.Types of Clauses
1.Independent Clause
An independent clause can be a sentence by itself. Independent clause is another name for simple
sentence.
Examples:
I met the boywho had helped me.
She is wearing a shirt which looks nice.
The teacher asked a question but no one answered.
He takes medicine because he suffers from fever.
He became angry and smashed the vase into peaces.
In the above sentences each underlined part shows independent clause. It expresses complete though
and can stand as a sentence that is why a main or an independent clause is normally referred as a simple
sentence.
2.Dependent Clause
A dependent clause, in contrast, cannot be a sentence by itself because its meaning is not complete. A
dependent clause depends on something else to complete its meaning.
Example:
He likes Chinese rice which tastes good.
The clause which tastes good in above sentence is a subordinate clause because it does not express
complete thought and cant stand as a sentence. It depends on main clause (he likes Chinese rise) to
express complete thought.
Examples:
I met the boy who had helped me.
I bought a table that costs $ 100.
3.
Adverbial Clause
A dependent clause that functions as an adverb in a sentence is called adverbial clause. An adverb
clause like an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective or other adverb in a sentence.
Subordinating words in adverbial clause introduce the adverbial clause and connects it with a word in
the main clause. The subordinating conjunctions used for adverbial clauses are as follows:
a. Time: when, whenever, since, until, before, after, while, as, by the time, as soon as
b. Place: where,wherever
c. Manner: as, as if
d. Comparison: as, than
e. Reason, cause, purpose: as, because, so that, in order that, for fear that, since
f. Result: so...that, such...that/ ...such that
g. Condition: if, whether, unless, provided (that), on condition that, as/ so long as, supposing (that)
h. Contrast, concession: although, though, even though, no matter if, while, even if, whenever,
whatever, as much as, whereas
Examples:
Dont go before he comes.
He takes medicine because he is ill.
Although he tried a lot, he couldnt climb up the tree.
Unless you study for the test, you cant pass it.
I will go to the school unless it rains.
You are safe as long as you drive carefully.
You can achieve anything provided that you struggle for it.
D.
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is a combination of one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause(s).
Examples:
Because she was tired, Anna left the party early.
Anna left the party early because she was tired.
In a complex sentence, when the dependent clause comes first, separate the clauses with a comma.
When the independent clause comes first, do not separate them.
REFERENCES
Oshima, Alice and Hogue, Ann. 2007. Introduction to Academic Writin. 3rd Edition. New York: Person
Education
Wishon, George E. And Burks, Julia M. 1980. Lets Write English. New York: Litton Educational
Publishing
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