RAWALPINDI WOMEN UNIERSITY

ASSIGNMENT
SUBMITTED TO: MA’AM FATIMA SEERAT
SUBMITTED BY: WARDA LATIF
ROLL NO.: 1910111069
COURSE CODE: ENG-2101
COURSE TITE: MORPHOLOGY AND SYNTAX
DISCIPLINE: ENGLISH 3(B)

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QUESTION: What is a clause? How, is it different from a phrase. Explain types of clauses and
the functions they perform in the sentence. Use appropriate and sufficient examples to
explain their types and functions.

ANSWER:
CLAUSE: A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb and is used as a
sentence (as independent clause) or a part of sentence (as sub-ordinate clause).
KEY POINTS WHICH DIFFER BETWEEN A CLAUSE AND A PHRASE:
The main points which differ a clause from a phrase are;

 A phrase never conveys complete meaning or thought, however, a clause may convey
a complete thought (independent clause) or may not coney a complete thought
(dependent clause).
 A phrase can have a subject, verb or neither, however, a clause has both.
EXAMPLES OF PHRASES:
Some examples of phrases are;

 In my room.
 Under the table.
 Quickly walking to the park.
 A beautiful day.
 Near the school.
EXAMPLES OF CLAUSES:
Some examples of clauses are;
 Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave. (2 clauses)
 Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy. (2 clauses)
 She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged. (2 clauses)
 Whenever prices go up, customers buy less products. (2 clauses)
 He is a wise man. (1 clause)
KINDS OF CLAUSES:

We have two types of clauses, which are;

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 1. Dependent clause, which is also known as subordinate clause.

And,

2. Independent clause.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE:

A group of words which has a subject and a verb, but it does not convey a complete thought,
for example;
 Yet they tried
The above mentioned, example is a dependent clause as it has a subject, and also a verb, but it
is not conveying a complete thought.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE:

A group of words which has a subject and a verb and it also conveys complete meaning, for
example;
 She loves to eat biryani.
The above mentioned, example is an independent clause as with subject and verb, it is also
conveying complete sense.

TYPES OF CLAUSES:

There are three types of dependent or subordinate clauses, which are;

 Adjective clauses
 Adverb clauses
 Noun clauses

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE:

Adjective clause is used as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun of independent

clause.
FUNCTION:

To modify noun or pronoun.

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EXAMPLES:

 Mr. Jackson is the teacher who helped me with my math problems.

(Who helped me with my math problems is an adjective clause. It contains the

subject who and the verb helped. The clause modifies the noun teacher.)

 The bad weather is the reason why I decided to drive instead of walk.

(Why I decided to drive instead of walk is an adjective clause. It contains the

subject I and the verb decided. The clause modifies the noun reason.)

 Mia is the person whose family owns a horse ranch.

(Whose family owns a horse ranch is an adjective clause. It contains the

subject family and the verb owns. The clause modifies the noun person.)

 This is the park where we can walk the dogs.

(Where we can walk the dogs is an adjective clause. It contains the subject we and the
verb phrase can walk. The clause modifies the noun park.)

 Do you remember the time when we almost missed the swim meet?

(When we almost missed the swim, meet is an adjective clause. It contains the
subject we and the verb missed. The clause modifies the noun time.)

 Guillermo went to the studio where he takes glassblowing lessons.

(Where he takes glass blowing lessons is an adjective clause. It contains the

subject he and the verb takes. The clause modifies the noun studio.)

ADVERB CLAUSE:

Adverb clause is used as an adverb to modify an adjective, adverb or verb of

independent clause.
FUNCTION:

To modify an adjective, adverb or verb.

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EXAMPLES:

 Keiko’s report was the best because she did the most research.

(Because she did the most research is an adverb clause. It contains the subject she and
the verb did. The clause modifies the adjective best.)

 If Brian fixes his flat tire today, he can go for a bike ride.

(If Brian fixes his flat tire today is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Brian and
the verb fixes. The clause modifies the verb phrase can go.)

 The dancers are going to practice in the studio now while they have the chance.

(While they have the chance is an adverb clause. It contains the subject they and the
verb have. The clause modifies the adverb now.)

 Marcel will make a restaurant reservation when we choose a night to go.

(When we choose a night to go is an adverb clause. It contains the subject we and the
verb choose. The clause modifies the verb phrase will make.)

 Gretchen’s latest novel is funnier than her previous book was.

(Than, her previous book was is an adverb clause. It contains the subject book and the
verb was. The clause modifies the adjective funnier.)

NOUN CLAUSE:

A noun clause is used as a noun.

FUNCTION:

It functions as either;

 Subject
 Object
 Subject complement
 Object complement.

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EXAMPLES:

 The focus of our work is how we can satisfy customers most effectively.

(How we can satisfy customers most effectively is a noun clause. It contains the
subject we and the verb phrase can satisfy. The clause acts as a predicate nominative in
the sentence, identifying focus.)

 Choose a gift for whomever you want.

(Whomever you want is a noun clause. It contains the subject you and the verb want.
The clause acts as an object of the preposition for in the sentence.)

 Whichever restaurant you pick is fine with me.

(Whichever restaurant you pick is a noun clause. It contains the subject you and the
verb pick. The clause acts as a subject in the sentence.)

 Be sure to send whoever interviewed you a thank-you note.

(Whoever interviewed you is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the
verb interviewed. The clause acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)

 Do you know what the weather will be?

(What the weather will be is a noun clause. It contains the subject weather and the verb
phrase will be. The clause acts as a direct object in the sentence.)

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