Module 11: Building Blocks of Sentences: Phrases and Clauses - Lesson 11.6: Types of Dependent Clauses - Noun, Adjective, and Adverb Clauses

Module 11: Building Blocks of Sentences: Phrases and Clauses - Lesson 11.6: Types of Dependent Clauses - Noun, Adjective, and Adverb Clauses

Lesson 11.6: Types of Dependent Clauses - Noun, Adjective, and Adverb Clauses

Welcome to Lesson 11.6! In this lesson, we will delve into the three main Types of Dependent Clauses, categorized by their grammatical function within sentences: Noun Clauses, Adjective Clauses, and Adverb Clauses. Understanding these types is crucial for using dependent clauses effectively to build complex sentences and express nuanced relationships between ideas.

Types of Dependent Clauses - Based on Grammatical Function:

Dependent clauses, while not able to stand alone as sentences, play essential roles within larger sentences by functioning as different parts of speech. Just like phrases can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, so can dependent clauses. We categorize dependent clauses into three types based on these functions:

  1. Noun Clauses - Functioning as Nouns:

    Noun Clauses are dependent clauses that function as nouns in sentences. They can take on any role that a noun can perform: subject, object, complement, or object of a preposition.

    Introduction of Noun Clauses: Noun clauses are typically introduced by:

    • Question Words (Wh- words): who, whom, whose, what, which, when, where, why, how (e.g., who, what, when, where, how).
    • 'That' (as a conjunction introducing noun clauses).
    • 'Whether' or 'If' (to introduce clauses expressing choice or condition in noun clauses).

    Functions of Noun Clauses in Sentences:

    • Subject: What she said surprised everyone. (Noun clause 'What she said' is the subject of the verb 'surprised').
    • Direct Object: I don't know when he will arrive. (Noun clause 'when he will arrive' is the direct object of the verb 'know').
    • Subject Complement: The problem is that he is always late. (Noun clause 'that he is always late' complements/renames the subject 'The problem').
    • Object of Preposition: Pay attention to what the teacher explains. (Noun clause 'what the teacher explains' is the object of the preposition 'to').
    • Appositive: The rumor, that she is resigning, is not true. (Noun clause 'that she is resigning' renames/explains 'The rumor').

    Examples of Noun Clauses in Sentences:

    • How he did it remains a mystery. (Subject - Noun clause introduced by 'How').
    • She asked me what time it was. (Direct Object - Noun clause introduced by 'what').
    • My question is whether they will come or not. (Subject Complement - Noun clause introduced by 'whether').
    • They are arguing about who should go first. (Object of Preposition - Noun clause introduced by 'who').
    • The fact that he succeeded is remarkable. (Appositive - Noun clause introduced by 'that').
    • Whoever wins will receive a prize. (Subject - Noun clause introduced by 'Whoever').
    • Tell me where you live. (Direct Object - Noun clause introduced by 'where').

    Noun clauses add noun-like elements to sentences, often expressing facts, questions, or statements as subjects, objects, etc.

  2. Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses) - Functioning as Adjectives:

    Adjective Clauses, also known as Relative Clauses, are dependent clauses that function as adjectives. They modify nouns or pronouns, providing more information about them and answering questions like "Which one?" or "What kind?".

    Introduction of Adjective Clauses: Adjective clauses are introduced by:

    • Relative Pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, that (e.g., who, which, that). These pronouns relate the clause back to the noun they modify (the antecedent).
    • Relative Adverbs: where, when, why (e.g., where, when, why). These adverbs relate the clause back to a noun indicating place, time, or reason.

    Position of Adjective Clauses: Adjective clauses almost always come immediately after the noun or pronoun they modify (the antecedent).

    Functions of Adjective Clauses in Sentences:

    • Modifying Nouns or Pronouns: The book that is on the table is mine. (Adjective clause 'that is on the table' modifies the noun 'book'). The man who helped me is a doctor. (Adjective clause 'who helped me' modifies the noun 'man'). She is the person whom everyone admires. (Adjective clause 'whom everyone admires' modifies the noun 'person'). This is the house where I grew up. (Adjective clause 'where I grew up' modifies the noun 'house' - indicating place).

    Examples of Adjective Clauses in Sentences:

    • The car which I bought last year is very reliable. (Adjective clause introduced by 'which' modifying 'car').
    • The woman who is talking to John is his sister. (Adjective clause introduced by 'who' modifying 'woman').
    • The movie that we watched last night was excellent. (Adjective clause introduced by 'that' modifying 'movie').
    • This is the restaurant where we first met. (Adjective clause introduced by 'where' modifying 'restaurant' - place).
    • I remember the day when we graduated. (Adjective clause introduced by 'when' modifying 'day' - time).
    • He explained the reason why he was late. (Adjective clause introduced by 'why' modifying 'reason' - reason).
    • The student whose essay won the prize is very talented. (Adjective clause introduced by 'whose' modifying 'student', showing possession).

    Adjective clauses provide essential descriptive detail, identifying and specifying the nouns or pronouns they modify, making sentences more informative.

  3. Adverb Clauses - Functioning as Adverbs:

    Adverb Clauses are dependent clauses that function as adverbs. They modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs in the main clause, providing adverbial information about time, place, reason, manner, condition, contrast, purpose, result, degree, etc.

    Introduction of Adverb Clauses: Adverb clauses are introduced by Subordinating Conjunctions. These conjunctions establish the adverbial relationship (time, reason, condition, etc.) between the adverb clause and the main clause.

    Common Subordinating Conjunctions for Adverb Clauses: because, although, if, when, while, since, until, as, before, after, whenever, wherever, though, unless, so that, in order that, as long as, as soon as, even if, even though, whereas, wherever, while, etc. (Categorized by adverbial meaning):

    • Time: when, while, as, whenever, since, until, before, after, as soon as, as long as, while (e.g., when, while, after, before, until).
    • Reason/Cause: because, since, as, as long as, inasmuch as (e.g., because, since, as).
    • Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as, in case, on condition that (e.g., if, unless).
    • Contrast/Concession: although, though, even though, while, whereas, even if, notwithstanding (e.g., although, though, even though).
    • Place: where, wherever (e.g., where, wherever).
    • Manner: as, as if, as though, just as, in that, insofar as (e.g., as, as if, as though).
    • Purpose/Result: so that, in order that, that, so...that, such...that (e.g., so that, in order that).
    • Degree/Comparison: than, as...as, so...as, the...the, as much as, than, etc. (e.g., than, as...as).

    Position of Adverb Clauses: Adverb clauses can be placed before or after the independent clause they modify. When placed before, they are often separated by a comma.

    Functions of Adverb Clauses in Sentences:

    • Modifying Verbs, Adjectives, or Adverbs in the Main Clause: They provide adverbial context. Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (Adverb clause 'Because it was raining' modifies verb 'stayed', indicating reason). When the sun sets, it gets cooler. (Adverb clause 'When the sun sets' modifies verb 'gets', indicating time). If you study hard, you will pass the exam. (Adverb clause 'If you study hard' modifies verb 'will pass', indicating condition). Although she was tired, she finished her work. (Adverb clause 'Although she was tired' modifies verb 'finished', indicating contrast/concession). She is taller than I am. (Adverb clause 'than I am' modifies adjective 'taller', indicating degree/comparison).

    Examples of Adverb Clauses in Sentences (categorized by adverbial meaning):

    • Time: When I finish work, I will go home. (Adverb clause of time - introduced by 'When'). After they had eaten, they went for a walk. (Adverb clause of time - introduced by 'After').
    • Reason/Cause: Because he was late, he missed the bus. (Adverb clause of reason - introduced by 'Because'). Since you are here, you can help me. (Adverb clause of reason - introduced by 'Since').
    • Condition: If it rains, we will stay at home. (Adverb clause of condition - introduced by 'If'). Unless you hurry, you will miss the train. (Adverb clause of condition - introduced by 'Unless').
    • Contrast/Concession: Although she is rich, she is not happy. (Adverb clause of contrast - introduced by 'Although'). Even though it was difficult, they succeeded. (Adverb clause of concession - introduced by 'Even though').
    • Place: Wherever you go, I will follow you. (Adverb clause of place - introduced by 'Wherever'). Where there is smoke, there is fire. (Adverb clause of place - introduced by 'Where').
    • Manner: Do as I say. (Adverb clause of manner - introduced by 'as'). He acted as if he were angry. (Adverb clause of manner - introduced by 'as if').
    • Purpose/Result: Study hard so that you will pass the exam. (Adverb clause of purpose - introduced by 'so that'). He shouted so loudly that everyone could hear him. (Adverb clause of result - introduced by 'so...that').
    • Degree/Comparison: She is as tall as her brother is. (Adverb clause of comparison - introduced by 'as...as'). He is older than she is. (Adverb clause of comparison - introduced by 'than').

    Adverb clauses greatly enrich sentences by adding a wide variety of adverbial meanings, creating complex relationships of time, cause, condition, etc., between clauses.

Key takeaway: Dependent clauses function as nouns (noun clauses), adjectives (adjective/relative clauses), or adverbs (adverb clauses) within sentences. Noun clauses are introduced by question words, 'that', 'whether/if'. Adjective clauses are introduced by relative pronouns/adverbs and modify nouns/pronouns. Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions and modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, expressing adverbial meanings. Mastering these three types of dependent clauses is essential for constructing complex sentences. Next, we will explore Lesson 11.7: Sentence Structures - Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex Sentences, the final lesson of Module 11!