LESSON 8. Let me take a class about 'clause'

NEW POST FROM V.MAHENDIRAN THE DIRECTOR - MIMSE GLOBAL ENGLISH NAGAPATTINAM                                                                                                25.02.2017

      LESSON.8        CLAUSE

Main clause and subordinate clause

Every sentence can be known as clause. Every group of words with a finite verb is called clause.

If it completes an Idea meaningfully, that is known as main clause. If it does not do so, that is called subordinate clause. There are two types of subordinate clauses such as Adverbial subordinate clause and Adjectival subordinate clause.

Adverbial subordinate expresses cause, status, time of the main clause that is the effect.

Adjectival subordinate expresses the detail of the subject or object placed in the main clause.

Main Clause with Adverbial Subordinate Clause

As I went to Chennai yesterday, I missed to attend the function

As I went to… Sub ordinate clause

I missed to ….. Main clause

Unless you give your entire attention, you cannot enjoy this class

Unless you ………….Subordinate clause

You cannot enjoy …. Main clause 

Because Mr. Peter is absent, I request you to engage his class

Because Mr. Peter …Subordinate clause   

I request you …Main clause

Though today is a holiday, I am present in the office

Though today is …Subordinate clause   

I am present in … Main clause

If you do so, Administration may ask all staff to do so.

If you do … Sub ordinate clause

Administration may...Main clause

Although cricket is familiar in India, It is not a national game.

Although cricket is …Subordinate clause

It is not a …...Main clause

[The words highlighted above are known as conjunction. Its role is connecting a main clause and a subordinate clause. Conjunction grades up a simple sentence to be a complex.]

“As I went to Chennai yesterday,”-doesn’t complete a meaning until it joins with “I missed to attend the function”, does It?

“I missed to attend the function”- quietly completes a meaning doesn’t It?

Thus, a sentence that completes an action meaningfully is called main clause; which depends a main clause and which carries a conjunction on its head is known as subordinate clause; the combination of these clauses is known as complex sentence.

A good English speaker knows to combine main and subordinate clauses with an appropriate conjunction for a complex sentence, because the expressions always would contain rather complex sentences than simple sentences.

However, idea that is expressed depends on the speaker or writer whether it’s flown in simple or complex or compound, but a consequent speech or draft is not made only in simple sentence.

A complex sentence can also be as follows by a combination of adjectival subordinate and main clause.

Main clause with adjectival subordinate clause

a.      Do you understand what I mean?

Do you understand?” - is main clause;

“what I mean”- is subordinate;

“what”- is a conjunction (It is also known as a relative pronoun).

b.      Mr. George who deals the reception has been nominated by our office as a vice chairperson

“Mr. George has been nominated by our office as a vice chairman”- is main clause

“who deals the reception”- is subordinate;

“who”- is a conjunction or relative pronoun.

c.       The man whom you are looking for is waiting in the reception.

“The man is waiting in the reception” –is main clause;

“Whom you are looking for” –is subordinate clause;

“Whom” - is a conjunction or relative pronoun.

d.      One whose performance has been found to be well will be given an opportunity to attend the international seminar

“One will be given an opportunity to attend the international seminar” –is main clause;

“Whose performance has been found to be well” –is subordinate clause;

“whose” – is a conjunction or relative pronoun.

CLAUSE

MAIN CLAUSE

SUB-ORDINATE CLAUSE

ADJECTIVAL SUB-ORDINATE

ADVERBIAL SUB-ORDINATE

PHRASEFUL MAIN

PHRASELESS MAIN

REMINDER

CLAUSE: A group of words with a finite verb for an S.V pattern

MAIN CLAUSE: A Clause which completes a meaning

PHRASEFUL MAIN: A main clause with the prepositional phrase

PHRASELESS MAIN: A plain main clause without the prepositional phrase

SUB-ORDINATE: A clause which depends on a main clause

ADJECTIVAL SUB-ORDINATE: A sub-ordinate clause which describes the quality of nouns said in the main clause. It is linked to the main clause by relative pronouns

ADVERBIAL SUB-ORDINATE: A sub-ordinate clause which says causes and others for the action of main clause. It is linked to the main clause by conjunctions.