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CLAUSE ANALYSIS
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.
A COMPLEX sentence is made up of a MAIN CLAUSE and a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE,
which starts with a subordinator.
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.
The subordinate clauses are of 3 types : NOUN, ADJECTIVE, ADVERB.
STEPS : ( Identify and analyse the clauses )
 Identify the subordinator and the finite verbs.
 Separate the main clause and the subordinate clause.

(start with the subordinator and go on till the end until you come across another
finite verb).
ask questions to the main clause so that the answer is the subordinate clause
what – noun
which – adjective
when, where, how – adverb
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.
IDENTIFY AND ANALYSE CLAUSES :
1.
2.
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You will understand that it is not possible for me to carry on correspondence.
He went to the Greek embassy, where he was referred to a local teacher.
Though I was joyous in my marriage that was the difficult year of 1968.
Then there was John Neiman, who was a college student.
Even if there is an initial loss, I will sell it under my own name.
As the 1991 baseball season progressed , Mom’s condition took a turn for the
worse.
It was important that the salesperson hit the ground running.
He asked me how much money he could make.
He wrote down the four items that he intended to accomplish.
If you follow his advice, fairly soon you will be taking only eight.
A preface to all Knowles’s exercises involves seeing how close you can draw
your shoulder blades.
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Open the mouth wide and see if you can blow out a paper match.
Though there are many varieties of banana there’s no documented research.
It was as if time stood still..
The sensitive fingers of Knigstein had been so ruined by his rugged manual
work that he could hardly become an artist.
NOUN CLAUSE :
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eg. :
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.
I know that the students have gone for a picnic.
I know – main clause
that the students have gone for a picnic – Subordinate Noun Clause
( 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 )
SOME MORE EXAMPLES :
Why he resigned is a mystery
…… ( what is a mystery ? )
They were arguing about who should do it……..(what were they arguing about ? )
My belief is that she is innocent…….( what is my belief ? )
It is evident that she does not intend paying the money……..(what is evident ? )
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.
eg. :
I forgot to tell you the date when I shall return.
I forgot to tell you the date – Main Clause
when I shall return – Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying the noun ‘date’
in the Main Clause.
(here you can ask the question ‘which’ to the main clause and get the answer in the
form of the subordinate clause thus it is an adjective clause; the subordinate clause
qualifies the noun ‘date’ in the main clause)
SOME MORE EXAMPLES :
Do you know the woman who is wearing a blue sari ? (which woman)
The dog that bites does not bark. (which dog)
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I remember the house where I was born. (which house)
The reason, why he failed, is obvious. (which reason)
I know the date when they will arrive. (which date)
He owns the house, which looks like a boat. (which house)
SOLVED EXERCISE : (Adjective Clause)
1.
Ans.
2.
Ans.
3.
Ans.
4.
Ans.
5.
Ans.
We obeyed the order the teacher gave us.
We obeyed the order – Main clause
(that) the teacher gave us – Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying the
noun ‘order’ in the main clause
He went to the Greek embassy, where he was referred to a local teacher.
He went to the Greek embassy – Main Clause
where he was referred to a local teacher - Subordinate Adjective Clause
qualifying the noun ‘ embassy ’ in the main clause
The serenity of the next hour is something I have always cherished.
The serenity of the next hour is something – Main Clause
(that) I have always cherished - Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying
the pronoun ‘something’ in the main clause
Mr. Robinson, who greeted me, was dressed in a dark suit.
Mr. Robinson was dressed in dark suit – Main Clause
who greeted me - Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying the
noun ‘ Mr. Robinson’ in the main clause
One of the places that I visited was the Buddhist temple.
One of the places was the Buddhist temple – Main Clause
that I visited - Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying the
noun ‘places’ in the main clause
EXERCISE : (Adjective Clause)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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I remembered days and nights when my mother did exactly the same.
The spot that was on her chin, had almost gone.
It is helpful to have the guidance of a person who is an expert.
There was a time when most diabetologists practiced and preached anti-banana
theory.
There was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables
from his garden.
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English Grammar
TYPES OF NOUN CLAUSES :
No.
TYPE
EXAMPLE
1.
SUBJECT OF THE
VERB
Where he hid The sentence begins Subordinate Noun
his money is a with a subordinator. Clause Subject of the
mystery.
verb ‘ is ‘ in the Main
Clause.
2.
OBJECT OF THE
VERB
Do you know The main clause Subordinate Noun
why the animals ends
with
a Clause Object of the
look sad?
verb ‘ do know ‘ in the
complete verb.
Main Clause.
3.
OBJECT OF AN
INFINITIVE
The child tried to The main clause Subordinate Noun
with
an Clause Object of the
explain what he ends
saw.
infinitive. (to + Verb) Infinitive ‘to explain’
in the Main Clause.
4.
OBJECT OF A
PREPOSITION
It all depends on The main clause Subordinate Noun
how you speak. ends
with
a Clause Object of the
preposition.
Preposition ‘on’ in the
Main Clause.
5.
COMPLEMENT
OF A VERB
A man can become The main clause ends
what he thinks
with
incomplete
verbs. (seem, appear,
look, become, be)
Subordinate Noun
Clause Complement
of the verb ‘can
become’ in the Main
Clause.
6.
IN APPOSITION
TO A NOUN OR
A PRONOUN
The fact that he The meaning of a
is the culprit is noun or a pronoun
known to all.
in the main clause
is expressed by the
subordinate noun
clause
It is certain that
you will succeed.
Subordinate Noun
Clause in Apposition
to the noun ‘fact’ in
the Main Clause.
EXPLANATION
ANSWER
Subordinate Noun
Clause in Apposition
to the pronoun ‘it’ in
the Main Clause.
SOLVED EXAMPLES : (Noun Clauses)
1.
Ans.
They agreed that one of them would work.
They agreed – Main Clause
that one of them would work- Subordinate Noun Clause object of the verb
‘agreed’ in the main clause
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2.
Ans.
3.
Ans.
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Ans.
5.
Ans.
6.
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I’ve come to see if you have a room.
I’ve come to see – Main Clause
If you have a room – Subordinate Noun Clause object of the infinitive
‘to see’ in the main clause
The truth is that India is very vast.
The truth is – Main Clause
that India is very vast – Subordinate Noun Clause complement of the verb
‘is’ in the main clause
Pay attention to whatever is said in class.
Pay attention to – Main Clause
whatever is said – Subordinate Noun Clause object of the preposition
‘to’ in the main clause
That India should win the world cup is everybody’s dream.
(It) is everybody’s dream – Main Clause
That India should win the world cup – Subordinate Noun Clause subject of
the verb ‘is’ in the main clause
Their belief that India will be free one day gave strength to the freedom fighters.
Their belief gave strength to the freedom fighters – Main Clause
that India will be free one day – Subordinate Noun Clause in apposition to
the noun ‘belief’ in the main clause
EXERCISE : (Noun Clauses)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
We need to realize that we are imperfect human beings.
What dad relished was the idea of showing off old Tom.
The main thing is that your personalities are well matched.
It was good that you came now.
I understood why my fingers felt moist.
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.
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The following table gives us a clear idea.
TYPES OF ADVERB CLAUSES
No.
TYPE
QTS
1.
TIME
2.
SUBORDINATORS
EXAMPLES
when
when, whenever, while,
till, until, after, before,
since
She left (after she had given
her vote.)
PLACE
where
where, wherever
He makes friends
(wherever he goes.)
3.
MANNER
how
as, as if
It happened (as I told
you.)
4.
REASON
as, since , because
(Since you say so,) I must
believe it.
5.
PURPOSE
so that, such that, in
order that
We eat (so that we may
live.)
6.
CONTRAST
though, although,
even though, even if
(Though he has cheated
me), I will trust him.
7.
CONDITION
if, unless, whether
(If I make a promise), I
keep it.
8.
RESULT
so…that,
such…that(so, such in
main clause, that in
sub clause)
He was so happy (that he
jumped with joy.)
9.
COMPARISON
as…as, so…as, than
(first as ,so – main
clause as, than - sub
clause)
He is not so rich (as he
appears.)
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.
SOLVED EXERCISE : (Adverb Clause)
1.
Ans.
If you can’t, you need help.
You need help – Main Clause
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If you can’t – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Condition modifying the verb ‘need’
in the main clause.
Though the sun was bright, the cool wind was making us shiver.
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
The forest department is planning to wall the periphery of SGNP so that animals
stay inside.
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
We need to choose our friends with care because we become like them.
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
As I was fixing supper, there was a knock on the door.
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 : (Adverb Clause)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
It was a celebration because school was over.
Even if there is an initial loss, I will sell it under my own name.
I don’t want to look as if I’ve got measles.
Although birds are active all day long, their activity is greatest during early
morning.
As I prepared to leave, Mr. Robinson shook my hand.
EXERCISE : (Identify the Clause and state its relation to the Main Clause)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I was visiting a friend who showed me her flowers.
The professor who was his guide complimented him on his work.
Do what Anne wanted.
I listened carefully to what Otto said.
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.
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