By: Musaadah
There are many kinds of clauses such as: subordinate (or dependent) clauses, adverbial clause, principal (or main) clauses, relative clause, finite and non finite clause.
Subordinate Clause
Subordinate is a group of words which includes a non-finite or finite verb but doesn’t make a statement which stands by itself.
Examples:
As soon as the Green Knight entered the room all were astounded.
She said that the Green Knight was really black.
The school, which stands on the hill, is full.
Subordinate clauses can be classified according to their function
Adverbial Clause
Example:
As soon as the Green Knight entered the room, all were astounded.
In this sentence the clause fulfills the same function as an adverb such as immediately in the sentence immediately all were astounded.
Principal Clauses
What is Principal Clause? Principal clause is a group of words which includes a finite verb and a subject, and makes a complete statement.
Examples:
You are a man.
The school stands on the hill.
When I come home, I will let the dog in.
The following aren’t principal clauses because they don’t make a complete statement which can stand by itself:
Which is a problem
That the school is standing on the hill
The school which stands on the hill
When I come home
Noun Clause
The clause fulfills the same function as a noun such as the words in She said the Words.
Example:
She said that the Green Knight was really black.
Relative Clause
What is relative clause? Relative clauses are adjectival in nature. The clause fulfills the same role as an adjective such as high-placed in the sentence “The high-placed school is full”. Clauses can also be classified by whether they contain a finite verb.
Example:
The school, which stands on the hill, is full.
Finite Clause
A finite clause contains a finite verb and, usually, a subject. It can be a principal clause or a subordinate clause.
Examples:
They say nice things about Michael. (principal clause)
When they say nice things about Michael they aren’t lying.
(subordinate clause)
Non-Finite Clause
A non-finite clause contains a non-finite verb but doesn’t contain a finite verb and can’t stand alone. A non-finite clause can’t be a principal clause. Non-finite verbs include participles and infinitives.
Examples:
Singing and dancing, she moved slowly up the aisle.
She gave you an invitation to bring me to the party.
Having eaten all the cakes, she began to consume the biscuits and and the chocolates.
Filled with joy, she left the room.
Related Topics:
Kinds of Verbs (Part 2)
Kinds of Adverbs (Part 2)
Kinds of Adverbs (Part 1)
There are many kinds of clauses such as: subordinate (or dependent) clauses, adverbial clause, principal (or main) clauses, relative clause, finite and non finite clause.
Subordinate Clause
Subordinate is a group of words which includes a non-finite or finite verb but doesn’t make a statement which stands by itself.
Examples:
As soon as the Green Knight entered the room all were astounded.
She said that the Green Knight was really black.
The school, which stands on the hill, is full.
Subordinate clauses can be classified according to their function
Adverbial Clause
Example:
As soon as the Green Knight entered the room, all were astounded.
In this sentence the clause fulfills the same function as an adverb such as immediately in the sentence immediately all were astounded.
Principal Clauses
What is Principal Clause? Principal clause is a group of words which includes a finite verb and a subject, and makes a complete statement.
Examples:
You are a man.
The school stands on the hill.
When I come home, I will let the dog in.
The following aren’t principal clauses because they don’t make a complete statement which can stand by itself:
Which is a problem
That the school is standing on the hill
The school which stands on the hill
When I come home
Noun Clause
The clause fulfills the same function as a noun such as the words in She said the Words.
Example:
She said that the Green Knight was really black.
Relative Clause
What is relative clause? Relative clauses are adjectival in nature. The clause fulfills the same role as an adjective such as high-placed in the sentence “The high-placed school is full”. Clauses can also be classified by whether they contain a finite verb.
Example:
The school, which stands on the hill, is full.
Finite Clause
A finite clause contains a finite verb and, usually, a subject. It can be a principal clause or a subordinate clause.
Examples:
They say nice things about Michael. (principal clause)
When they say nice things about Michael they aren’t lying.
(subordinate clause)
Non-Finite Clause
A non-finite clause contains a non-finite verb but doesn’t contain a finite verb and can’t stand alone. A non-finite clause can’t be a principal clause. Non-finite verbs include participles and infinitives.
Examples:
Singing and dancing, she moved slowly up the aisle.
She gave you an invitation to bring me to the party.
Having eaten all the cakes, she began to consume the biscuits and and the chocolates.
Filled with joy, she left the room.
Related Topics:
Kinds of Verbs (Part 2)
Kinds of Adverbs (Part 2)
Kinds of Adverbs (Part 1)
