Clause

 

Clause is a part of an English sentence containing the finite verb and subject. A clause is an association of two or more words. This will have a finite verb of it's own. Despite having it's own finite verb, the clause itself is not a sentence, but only a part of the main sentence.

In a sentence, clause can be divided into two parts on the basis of its role or function.

1. Principal clause

2. Subordinate clause

Principal clause: A clause that is not dependent on any other clause to express its meaning is called a principal clause. That is, the clause that is separated from the main sentence but has the ability to be a simple sentence, is called the principal clause.

Example: The boy who is playing cricket is my friend.

Here "The boy is my friend" is a principal clause. Because the part of this sentence has a ability to become a simple sentence, Despite separating this part from the main sentence.

Subordinate clause: A clause that cannot express the meaning alone without the help of the principal clause is called a subordinate clause. That is, if the clause is separated from the sentence, it does not qualify as a simple sentence, so it is a subordinate clause.

Example: The boy who is playing cricket is my friend.

Here the underlined part "who is playing cricket" is a subordinate clause. Because, the part of this sentence can not become a simple sentence.

Subordinate clause is sometimes used as a noun, sometimes as an adjective and sometimes as an adverb in a sentence.

Noun clause: When the verb of a principal clause is interrogated by what, the clause that answers it is a noun clause.

Example: What he said was not true.

                 That he has much money is known to all.

Adjective clause: The clause which modifies the subject or object of a principal clause, is called adjective clause. 

Example: The boy who came here is my brother.

Adverb clause: If we ask when, where, how, why to the verb of the principal clause, then the answer we get is adverb clause.

Example: We take physical exercise so that we may become strong.

                  I want to go where he lives in.