Kinds of Subordinate Clauses
Category : 8th Class
There are three kinds of Subordinate Clauses:
1. Noun Clause
2. Adjective Clause
3. Adverb Clause
Noun Clause
A clause which acts as a noun or which is used in place of a noun is called a Noun Clause.
To identify the Noun Clause, a question is formed by adding 'what' to the main verb and the clause in which we get its answer is the Noun Clause.
Noun Clauses are used in various forms
Subject to a Verb
If any clause comes in place of the subject of a verb then that Noun Clause is a Subject to the verb.
In the above given sentence, '(it) is not sure' is the Principal Clause, and *when she' will return' is a subject Noun Clause, subject to the verb 'is'
Object to a Verb
If any clause in a sentence takes the place of an object of a Finite Verb, then that
Noun Clause is called an object to the verb.
In the above given sentence, 'Do you know' is the Principal Clauses; 'when the teacher will come' is a subject. Noun Clause, object to the verb 'know'.
Object to an Infinite
If in a sentence, a clause begins after the infinite and which acts as an object, then that Noun Clause is an object to the infinite.
In the above given sentence, 'Steve wants to say' is the Principal Clause, and 'that he is not blame' is a Sub. Noun Clause, object to the infinitive 'to say'.
Object to a Preposition
If any Clause which comes after the preposition in the form of an object, then that
Noun Clause is an object to the preposition.
In this sentence, 'Her future depends on' is the Principal Clause, and 'how she plans it now' is a Sub. Noun Clause, object to the preposition 'on'.
Object to a Participle
If any clause comes after any participle and acts as an object, then that Noun
Clause is an object to the participle.
In the above given sentence, 'l went there, hoping' is the Principle Clause, and 'that my friend would be in the house' is a Sub. Noun Clause, object to the participle 'hoping'.
It is important to note that if the participle is used before the sub. Clause, then while analyzing, the participle is put at the end of the Principal Clause.
Complement to an Incomplete Verb
If at the end of a Principal Clause there is any helping verb, then the Noun Clause coming after it is called a complement to an incomplete verb as this clause is used to complete the sense of a sentence.
In the above given sentence, 'He is' is the Principal Clause; ' what he has made himself Sub. Noun Clause Complement to the incomplete verb 'is'.
In Apposition to a Noun or a Pronoun
If any clause is used to clear the meaning of any noun or pronoun, then that Noun
Clause is called 'in apposition to the noun or pronoun'.
In the above given sentence, 'lt is strange' is the Principal Clause and 'that he should behave in such a manner' is a Sub. Noun clause in apposition to the pronoun
Adjective Clause
In a sentence, an Adjective Clause acts as an adjective, that is, it describes a noun or a pronoun of any other clause.
Adjective Clauses are used before nouns or pronouns beginning with who, whose, whom, that, which; for time we use 'when' for place; 'where' for reason or cause 'why' for manner or way 'how'; for such + noun 'as'.
1. This is the man who has smashed the windowpane.
In this sentence, 'This is the man' is the Principal Clause; 'who has smashed the window pane' is a Sub. Adjective Clause, qualifying the noun 'man'.
2. This is the place where I first met my wife.
In the above given sentence, 'This is the place' is the Principal Clause and 'where I first met my Wife' is a Sub. Adjective Clause, qualifying the noun 'place'.
3. Sometime, a part of the Prindpal Clause comes before the Sub. Clause and the rest after it.
In this sentence, This girl is my classmate' is the Principal Clause, whereas 'came here today' is a Sub. Adjective Clause, qualifying the noun 'girl'.
Adverb Clause
Adverb Clause is that Subordinate Clause which modifies the verb, adjective or adverb coming in any other clause. It informs about the following things:
(i) Time (ii) Place
(iii) Purpose (iv) Reason or Cause
(v) Manner (vi) Extent
(vii) Condition (viii) Result
(ix) Comparison (x) Contrast
(A) Adverb Clause of Time
It indicates the time and normally begins with any of these subordinating Conjunctions like when, whenever, after, before, till, until, since, while, as, as soon as, as long as, so long as, etc.
In this sentence, 'l eat my food' is the Principal Clause and 'after I have served my parents' is a sub. Adverb Clause showing Time'.
In this sentence, 'he ran away' is the Principal Clause and 'As soon as the thief saw the policeman' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing Time',
(B) Adverb Clause of Place
As it suggests, it points to the place and normally starts with the Subordinating
Conjunction like wherever, where, whether, whence, etc.
Example: He shall go where his mother goes.
In the above given sentence, 'He shall go' is the Principle clause and 'where his mother goes' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Place'.
Example : She will follow you wherever you go.
In this sentence, 'She will follow you' is the Principle Clause and 'wherever you go' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Place'.
(C) Adverb Clause of Purpose
It expresses purpose. It begins with: in order that, so that, lest, etc. which are Subordinating Conjunctions.
Example : We work hard so that we may succeed.
In the above given sentence, 'We work hard' is the Principle Clause and 'so that we may succeed' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Purpose'.
Example : Use the knife carefully lest you should cut your fingers.
In this sentence, 'Use the knife carefully' is the Principle Clause and 'lest you should cut your fingers' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Purpose'.
(D) Adverb Clause of Reason
This clause always tells the reason of any event. It starts with any of these
Subordinating Conjunctions like because, since, as, that, now, etc.
Example: This task cannot be accomplished as it is difficult.
In the above given sentence, 'This task cannot be accomplished' is the Principle Clause and 'as it is difficult' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Reason'.
Example: I am happy because you have cleared your engineering examination.
In this sentence,' I am happy' is the Principle Clause and because you have cleared your 'engineering examination' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Reason'.
(E) Adverb Clause of Manner
This clause describes the manner and it usually begins with any of these Subordinating Conjunctions such as : as, as.... so, as if, as though, etc.
Example: He cried as if he were in deep pain.
In the above given sentence,' He cried' is the Principle' Clause and 'as if he were in deep pain' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Manner'.
(F) Adverb Clause of Condition
As the name suggests, this Clause points to a condition. This Clause begins with any of these Subordinating Conjunctions like if, unless, in case, whether ?? or, provided, etc.
Example : In case you are interested, you can come.
In the above given sentence, 'you can come' is the Principal Clause, whereas 'in case you are interested' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Condition'.
(G) Adverb Clause of Extent
This clause expresses the extent of the statement and generally begins with any of these Subordinating Conjunctions as far as, so far as, etc.
Example: As far as I think, he will not come today.
In the above given sentence, 'he will not come today' is the Principal Clause, whereas 'as far as' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Extent'.
(H) Adverb Clause of Result
This clause points out the outcome or result of what is being said and generally begins with 'that' but before this 'so' or 'such' is used in the Principal Clause.
Example: She is so tired that she cannot stand.
In the above given sentence, 'She is so tired' is the Principal Clause and 'that she cannot stand' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing 'Result'.
(I) Adverb Clause of Comparison
This clause tells us about the comparison between two qualities and generally begins with the Subordinating Conjunction 'than' as ? as; so?as.
Example: Lina is more beautiful than Serena.
In the above give sentence, 'Lina is more beautiful' is the Principal Clause whereas 'than Serena' is a Sub. Adverb Clause showing comparison.
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