The Clause

A clause is a part of a sentence and has a subject and verb of its own but which acts as a single element.

I know him > I know his name > I know what his name is

(him = object > his name = phrase > what his name is = clause

Classification of Clauses:

1)     Principle or Independent clause

2)     Subordinate or Dependent clause

a)     Noun clause

b)     Adjective clause

c)     Adverb clause

3)     Coordinate clause

Discussion in Details:

1)     Principle Clause: The principle clause is a clause which is not depended on other clause for expressing the meaning, is called principle clause. The main characteristic is that principle clause can able to make sense if it’s separated.

I have a cow which is red (I have a cow = Principle clause because it’s able to make sense)

The boy who is playing football is my brother (the boy is my brother = principle verb)

2)     Subordinate Clause: The clause which can not make sense alone without the help of principle clause is called subordinate clause.

Pinku comes to me when he has time (when he has time = subordinate clause)

Dina wanted a pen which was costly

He worked hard so that he could succeed in life

I know how you do it.

I know why he went there.

I don’t know where she lives.

According to the above mention that subordinate clause starts with – who, when, how, where, which, if, as, that, why, so that, in order that, whom, hardly, scarcely, barley, no sooner, etc.
a) Noun Clause: The noun clause which acts as a noun (subject, object, complement, and case in apposition) in a sentence is called noun clause. 

He says that he went there

In the above sentence “that he went there” is an object of the verb “say”

More Examples:

Noun Phrase used as subject of verb.

That he has much money is know to all

Who has done this will be punished.

Noun Phrase used as object of verb.

I know that he has done it

He asked me if I would go with him.

Noun Phrase used as object of preposition.

I cannot understand the meaning of  what he said Our prosperity depends on how hard we work.

Noun Phrase used as complement of verb:

This is what we said (“is” is a linking verb and “what we said” is a complement because “this = what we said”)

The matter is that we had gone there

                  L.V.              N.C.

Noun Phrase used as an apposition of pronoun or noun:

The fact that he is a thief is clear to all.

                        N.C.

Note: “the fact = that he is a thief”

The news that he was ill is not true.

b) Adjective Clause: An adjective clause is a subordinate clause which functions as an adjective in a sentence and qualifies a noun or noun equivalent.

The boy is my brother + The boy came here = The boy who came here is my brother. (who came here = Adjective clause)

I don’t know the reason why he came here (why he came here = adjective clause)

c) Adverbial Clause: An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause which, used in a sentence, acts as an adverb. Generally we know that adverb answers these questions – when? How? Where?

3)     Coordinate Clause: When one or more clauses joins together through coordinating conjunction, is called coordinate clause. 

He came and he saw every thing.

C.C. (p.c)                   C.C. (p.c) C.C. = Coordinate clause and P.C = principle clause

We know that he dances and sings and thus earns money

She heard the news and (she) cried out in grief.

            C.C.                                         C.C.