Clauses (Noun Clauses And Adverb Clauses)

Introduction:-

A clause is a word-unit of a sentence that has its own subject and predicate and gives a complete sense.

*If there is one clause in a sentence then this is called a Simple sentence.

*If there are two or more clauses connected by co-ordinating conjunction(and/or/but/so, etc)in a sentence then this is called a Compound sentence.

*If there are two or more clauses connected by subordinating conjunction(that/whether/wh-word/because/so that/if/though/more…than) or relative pronoun/adverb(who/whose/whom/which/that/when/where/why, etc) then this is called a Complex sentence.

*In a complex sentence, the clause that gives complete sense is called the main/principal/independent clause, and the clause that gives incomplete sense is called the subordinate/sub/dependent clause.

Complex sentences:-

1. It is a good thing that you have life insurance. [Main clause, Sub-clause(noun clause)]

2. If you work hard, you will pass.[Sub. Clause(Adverb clause of condition), Main clause]

3. When it is hot, the roads are empty.[Sub Clause(Adverb Clause of Time), Main clause]

4. This is Radha, who lives in Jaipur.[Main Clause, Sub Clause(Relative Clause)]

 

Noun Clauses:-

A noun clause is a sub-clause in a complex sentence. In every sentence, the noun clause acts as a noun.

Structure of a noun clause –  that/wh-word+subject+predicate

 

1. As a subject of a verb

1. That the Earth is round is known to all. [Subject(Noun Clause), Verb]

2. How the thief got in is a mystery. [Subject(Noun Clause), Verb]

3. Whether she will agree is doubtful. [Subject(Noun Clause), Verb]

2. As an object of a transitive verb

1. We know that the Sun rises in the East. [object(noun clause)]

2. I don’t know where she has gone. [object(noun clause)]

3. I forgot who told me this. [object(noun clause)]

3. As a subject complement of ‘be’ (is/are/am/was/were)-

1. My opinion is that he is guilty.

2. The problem was how the trees were to be saved.

4. After a preposition-

1. She listened to what I said.

2. He inquired about where the bus was going.

Note:- We can’t use a ‘that clause’ after a preposition.

5. In apposition to a noun or pronoun-

1. He conveyed the news that she is happy.

2. You shouldn’t forget this that God is omnipotent.

3. The news that she is dead came as a shock.

6. We can use a ‘that clause’ after some adjectives- 

afraid, amused, annoyed, anxious, aware, certain, confident, conscious, convinced, delighted, determined, eager, glad, happy, horrified, impatient, pleased, proud, sorry, sure, surprised, willing.

1. I am glad that you got success.

2. I was sure that she would come.

 

Adverb Clause of Condition-

In the starting of this clause, if/unless/in case/ whether/provided that/on condition that/even if/otherwise/once is used.

1. ‘If’ Clause

•   Open or Probable condition-

      Sentence structure-   If+simple present tense+ , +simple future tense     Or                                           Simple future tense+if+simple present tense

Examples:-

1. If you smile, you will never be sick.  Or  You will never be sick if you smile.

2. If she works hard, she will pass.

3. I shall be able to drive if I learn it.

• Imaginary or Improbable condition-

   Sentence structure- If+Simple past tense+ , +would+bare infinitive (first form of verb)

Or  Would+bare infinitive+if+ simple past tense

Examples:-

1. If you smiled, you would never be sick.  Or   You would never be sick if you smiled.

2. If she worked hard, she would pass.

• Unfulfilled or Impossible condition-

Sentence structure- If+past perfect tense, would have+past participle(3rd form of a verb)

Or  Would have+past participle+if+past perfect tense

Examples:-

1. If you had smiled, you would never have been sick.  Or  You would never have been sick if you had smiled.

2. If she had worked hard, she would have passed.

2. Conditional Clauses with ‘Should’, ‘Were’ and ‘Had’

Sentence structure- Should+bare infinitive, simple future tense

Examples:-

1. Should you make an appeal, people will help you.

Sentence structure-  Were + Sub.+ Adverbial, would+ bare infinitive

Examples:-

1.  Were I rich, I would help the poor.

2. Were she a bird, she would fly high.

Note– It makes a hypothetical sentence when ‘were’ is used with a singular subject.

Sentence structure- Had+sub.+past participle(v3)+adv, would have+past participle

Examples:-

1. Had you worked hard, you would have passed.

2. Had he taken medicines regularly, he would have been fit.

3. ‘Unless’ clause

Sentence structure- Unless+positive simple present, negative/positive simple future

Or Negative/positive simple future tense+unless+positive simple present tense

Examples:-

1. Unless she works hard, she won’t pass. Or she won’t pass unless she works hard.

2. Unless he works harder, he will fail.

4. ‘In case’ clause

Note- It tells the reason for the work occurring in the main clause.

Examples:-

1. She always keeps candles in case there is a power failure.

2. She always kept mobile in case she rang any time.

5. ‘Provided (that)’ or ‘on condition that’ or ‘so long as’ clause

Note– It is used to express a strong idea of limitation or restriction. It is used mainly for permission.

Examples:-

1. Children can play here provided/on condition that/so long as they break no plants.

2. You will be liked so long as you are human.

6. ‘Even if’ clause

Note- It is used in the sense of ‘despite the fact’, ‘ despite the belief’, or ‘no matter whether’.

Examples:-

1. I’ll get there even if I have to walk.

2. A bird keeps flying even if it involves risks.

7. ‘Whether….or’ clause

Note– It is used to express doubt or to choose from two possibilities.

Examples:-

1. I’ll see whether you are studying or not.

2. Youths are waiting whether the new govt. will provide jobs or not.

8. ‘Otherwise’ clause

Note- Used to state what the result would be if something didn’t happen.

Examples:-

1. Shut the doors and windows otherwise there will be loss of cooling.

2. Work hard otherwise you’ll get failed.

 

Adverb clause of Time-

when, as, since, after, hardly/scarcely….when, no sooner….than, the sooner, till/until, as soon as/immediately, before, while, just as

1. When

• ‘When’ is used to indicate that one action follows another.

1. When the Sun rises, the darkness disappears.

• ‘When’ is used in the sense of ‘during a period of time’.

1. When it is winter, we feel cold.

• ‘When’ is used for a complete action.

1. I was cycling along when I saw a bear.

2. As

• When the second action occurs before the first is finished.

• For parallel actions.

• For parallel development.

• To mean ‘while’ (during the time that)

1. As she left the shop, she remembered her shopping.

2. She talked on the mobile as she drove the car.

3. As the Sun set, the darkness appeared.

4. As I studied continuously, I learned the topic.

3. Since

• ‘Since’ is used after the perfect tense clause.

1. I haven’t played since I left college.

4. After

• ‘After’ is often followed by perfect tense.

1. After I had revised the lesson, I did exercises.

5. Hardly/Scarcely/Barely…when, No sooner….than

1. I had hardly reached school when the bell rang. Or  I had no sooner reached the school than the bell rang.

6. As soon  as, immediately

1. As soon as I reached school, the bell rang.

2. Tell me immediately you have any news.

7. The sooner

1. The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll reach there.

8. Till/until

• To talk about a situation or state that will continue upto a certain moment.

1. I’ll wait till/until I hear from you.

9. Before

1. She will inform before she leaves the city.

2. She can’t go before she has completed her work.

3. The patient had died before the doctor came.

4. He left before I could request for help.

10. While

• With simultaneous actions

1. While they were sleeping, the thieves broke into the house.

11. Just as

1. Just as we came out of the school. The rain started.

 

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