8 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 ) 170 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. You will understand that it is not possible for me to carry on correspondence. 2. He went to the Greek embassy, where he was referred to a local teacher. 3. Though I was joyous in my marriage that was the difficult year of 1968. 4. Then there was John Neiman, who was a college student. 5. Even if there is an initial loss, I will sell it under my own name. 6. As the 1991 baseball season progressed, Mom s condition took a turn for the worse. 7. It was important that the salesperson hit the ground running. 8. He asked me how much money he could make. 9. He wrote down the four items that he intended to accomplish. 10. If you follow his advice, fairly soon you will be taking only eight. 11. A preface to all Knowles s exercises involves seeing how close you can draw your shoulder blades.
MT EDUCARE LTD. English Grammar 12. Open the mouth wide and see if you can blow out a paper match. 13. Though there are many varieties of banana there s no documented research. 14. It was as if time stood still.. 15. The sensitive fingers of Knigstein had been so ruined by his rugged manual work that he could hardly become an artist. NOUN CLAUSE : 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. eg. : I know that the students have gone for a picnic. I know main clause that the students have gone for a picnic 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) 171
English Grammar MT EDUCARE LTD. 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. We obeyed the order the teacher gave us. Ans. We obeyed the order Main clause (that) the teacher gave us Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying the noun order in the main clause 2. He went to the Greek embassy, where he was referred to a local teacher. Ans. 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 3. The serenity of the next hour is something I have always cherished. Ans. 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 4. Mr. Robinson, who greeted me, was dressed in a dark suit. Ans. Mr. Robinson was dressed in dark suit Main Clause who greeted me - Subordinate Adjective Clause qualifying the noun Mr. Robinson in the main clause 5. One of the places that I visited was the Buddhist temple. Ans. 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. I remembered days and nights when my mother did exactly the same. 2. The spot that was on her chin, had almost gone. 3. It is helpful to have the guidance of a person who is an expert. 4. There was a time when most diabetologists practiced and preached anti-banana theory. 5. There was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. 172
MT EDUCARE LTD. English Grammar TYPES OF NOUN CLAUSES : No. TYPE EXAMPLE EXPLANATION ANSWER 1. SUBJECT OF THE VERB Where he hid his money is a mystery. The sentence begins with a subordinator. Clause Subject of the verb is in the Main Clause. 2. OBJECT OF THE VERB Do you know why the animals look sad? The main clause ends with a complete verb. Clause Object of the verb do know in the Main Clause. 3. OBJECT OF AN INFINITIVE The child tried to explain what he saw. The main clause ends with an infinitive. (to + Verb) Clause Object of the Infinitive to explain in the Main Clause. 4. OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION It all depends on how you speak. The main clause ends with a preposition. Clause Object of the Preposition on in the Main Clause. 5. COMPLEMENT OF A VERB A man can become what he thinks The main clause ends with incomplete verbs. (seem, appear, look, become, be) Clause Complement of the verb can become in the Main Clause. 6. IN APPOSITION TO A NOUN OR A PRONOUN The fact that he is the culprit is known to all. It is certain that you will succeed. The meaning of a noun or a pronoun in the main clause is expressed by the subordinate noun clause Clause in Apposition to the noun fact in the Main Clause. Clause in Apposition to the pronoun it in the Main Clause. SOLVED EXAMPLES : (Noun Clauses) 1. They agreed that one of them would work. Ans. They agreed Main Clause that one of them would work- Clause object of the verb agreed in the main clause 173
English Grammar MT EDUCARE LTD. 2. I ve come to see if you have a room. Ans. I ve come to see Main Clause If you have a room Clause object of the infinitive to see in the main clause 3. The truth is that India is very vast. Ans. The truth is Main Clause that India is very vast Clause complement of the verb is in the main clause 4. Pay attention to whatever is said in class. Ans. Pay attention to Main Clause whatever is said Clause object of the preposition to in the main clause 5. That India should win the world cup is everybody s dream. Ans. (It) is everybody s dream Main Clause That India should win the world cup Clause subject of the verb is in the main clause 6. Their belief that India will be free one day gave strength to the freedom fighters. Ans. Their belief gave strength to the freedom fighters Main Clause that India will be free one day Clause in apposition to the noun belief in the main clause EXERCISE : (Noun Clauses) 1. We need to realize that we are imperfect human beings. 2. What dad relished was the idea of showing off old Tom. 3. The main thing is that your personalities are well matched. 4. It was good that you came now. 5. 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. 174
MT EDUCARE LTD. English Grammar The following table gives us a clear idea. TYPES OF ADVERB CLAUSES No. TYPE QTS SUBORDINATORS EXAMPLES 1. TIME when when, whenever, while, till, until, after, before, since She left (after she had given her vote.) 2. 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 8 th type modifies the adverb in the main clause. The 9 th type modifies the adjective or the adverb in the main clause. SOLVED EXERCISE : (Adverb Clause) 1. If you can t, you need help. Ans. You need help Main Clause 175
English Grammar MT EDUCARE LTD. If you can t Subordinate Adverb Clause of Condition modifying the verb need in the main clause. 2. Though the sun was bright, the cool wind was making us shiver. Ans. 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 3. The forest department is planning to wall the periphery of SGNP so that animals stay inside. Ans. 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 4. We need to choose our friends with care because we become like them. Ans. 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 5. As I was fixing supper, there was a knock on the door. Ans. 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. It was a celebration because school was over. 2. Even if there is an initial loss, I will sell it under my own name. 3. I don t want to look as if I ve got measles. 4. Although birds are active all day long, their activity is greatest during early morning. 5. As I prepared to leave, Mr. Robinson shook my hand. EXERCISE : (Identify the Clause and state its relation to the Main Clause) 1. I was visiting a friend who showed me her flowers. 2. The professor who was his guide complimented him on his work. 3. Do what Anne wanted. 4. I listened carefully to what Otto said. 5. 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. 176