Clause
A group of words containing a subject and a predicate that forms a sentence or a part of a sentence is known as a clause. Generally, it functions as a part of complex or compound sentences. Simple sentences can also be formed if it is an independent clause.
Types of clauses:
Generally, clauses are of two types: independent clauses and dependent clauses.
Independent clause/Main clause: A group of words, containing a subject and predicate, which can stand alone in a meaningful way is known as an independent clause. "He is going to the party but none of his friends are coming." "That car has a great mileage and it provides more boot space than any other car in the same price range."
Dependent Clause/Subordinate clause: Similarly, dependent clauses consists of a subject, a predicate, a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. The main difference between them is that dependent clauses cannot convey it’s while standing alone."When he entered the bar, he was asked to leave." "The man was so convinced as soon as he met the fortune teller."
Main or Independent clause:
Main or independent clauses are again divided into four types depending on their functions.
Declaratives.
Interrogatives.
Imperatives.
Exclamatives.
Declaratives: Declarative clauses mainly functions as statements or declarations. They can’t be positive or negative. Rather they describe things as they are.
"The sun rises in the east."
"The moon has no light of its own."
"This is the only book left?"
Interrogatives: They function as a question or query of any form and they can both be positive or negative.
"Aren’t you listening?"
"Will you share the chocolate?"
Imperatives: Imperative clauses functions mainly as an invitations, order, or instructions. They can both be negative and positive.
"Go there now."
"Don’t pick up the wire."
Exclamatives: To express surprise or shock, exclamative clauses are used.
"What a beautiful day!"
"How noisy this neighborhood is!"
Types of Dependent clauses:
Dependent clauses are divided into three types.
Noun clause.
Adverbial clause.
Adjective clause.
Noun Clause:
Noun clauses acts as a noun in a sentence. To identify which noun belongs to which clause we must note that if the noun is acting as the main function of the subject then it must be considered as the independent clause. On the contrary if the noun acts as an object in the sentence then it must be considered as a dependent clause.
"She wants to know who put her shawl there."
"He asked the delivery boy that when will he arrive."
Adverbial clause:
They functions in the same way as adverbs. They provide additional information about the primary verb in the independent clause.
"As soon as he reached home, he realized that he had left his mobile in the office desk."
"After the night was over, they finally began to search for water."
Adjective Clause:
Also known as relative dependent clauses, they provide additional information about the noun in an independent sentence. It can function both as a subject or an object.
"These days that we are wasting now, will costs us one day."
"Here is the blue cardigan, which Rima asked for."