As you have learnt earlier, a CLAUSE is a part of a sentence having its own subject and
predicate.
The questions asked in this topic are to analyze the clause and the sentences given
are mainly complex sentences.
The main clause is the one that can stand on its own.
The subordinate clause depends upon the main clause and starts with a subordinator.
NOTE : If you don’t get an answer to any of the above five questions, the subordinate
clause is one of the remaining 6 types of adverb clause.
12. Open the mouth wide and see if you can blow out a paper match.
13. Though there are many varieties of banana there’s no documented research.
14. It was as if time stood still..
15. The sensitive fingers of Knigstein had been so ruined by his rugged manual
work that he could hardly become an artist.
NOUN CLAUSE :
A noun clause does the function of a noun in a sentence.
Asking the question ‘what’ to the main clause can identify it.
It can also be substituted with a pronoun.
The noun clause may either be in the subject or object position in a sentence.
( here you can ask the question ‘what’ to the main clause and get the answer in the
form of the subordinate clause thus it is a noun clause )
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE :
An adjective clause does the work of an adjective i.e.
It qualifies a noun or a pronoun in the main clause.
It can be identified by asking the question ‘which’ or ‘who’ to the main clause.
It is preceded by a noun or a pronoun in the main clause.
5. COMPLEMENT A man can become The main clause ends Subordinate Noun
OF A VERB what he thinks with incomplete Clause Complement
verbs. (seem, appear, of the verb ‘can
look, become, be) become’ in the Main
Clause.
ADVERB CLAUSE :
An adverb clause does the work of an adverb.
It may modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb in the main clause.
There are 9 types of adverb clauses.
Three types of adverb clauses can be identified by asking questions
The rest can be identified with the help of the subordinators.
1. TIME when when, whenever, while, She left (after she had given
till, until, after, before, her vote.)
since
NOTE :
The first seven types modify the verb in the main clause.
The 8th type modifies the adverb in the main clause.
The 9th type modifies the adjective or the adverb in the main clause.
If you can’t – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Condition modifying the verb ‘need’
in the main clause.
2. Though the sun was bright, the cool wind was making us shiver.
Ans. The cool wind was making us shiver – Main Clause
though the sun was bright – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Contrast modifying
the verb ‘was making’ in the main clause
3. The forest department is planning to wall the periphery of SGNP so that animals
stay inside.
Ans. The forest department is planning to wall the periphery of SGNP - Main Clause
So that animals stay inside – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Purpose modifying
the verb ‘is planning ‘ in the main clause
4. We need to choose our friends with care because we become like them.
Ans. We need to choose our friends with care – Main Clause
because we become like them – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Reason modifying
the verb ‘need’ in the main clause
5. As I was fixing supper, there was a knock on the door.
Ans. There was a knock on the door – Main Clause
As I was fixing supper – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Time modifying the verb
‘was fixing’ in the main clause
EXERCISE : (Identify the Clause and state its relation to the Main Clause)
1. I was visiting a friend who showed me her flowers.
2. The professor who was his guide complimented him on his work.
3. Do what Anne wanted.
4. I listened carefully to what Otto said.
5. If you follow his advice, fairly soon you will be taking only eight breaths a
minute.
6. We have an incredible number of stories which are woven around birds.
7. Don't lose your calm if their opinions and tastes differ from yours.
8. There is a loud thud as a ball travelling at great speed lands in the garden.
9. She is an 'Angutha chhap' who cannot even sign her name.
10. If you get out of breath, pant deliberately.
176 SCHOOL SECTION