CLAUSES

Lectured by: Set Razity

Mastering Writing Skills
Definition of Clauses
 A clause is a group of words that contain
at least a subject and a verb. It sometimes
expresses complete thought, but
sometimes not.

Ex: Civil Engineering is now a popular

subject in Cambodia. (Complete thought)
Ex: When we have a meeting next week
(Incomplete thought)
Kinds of Clauses
1. Independent clause/Main
Clause(IC)
 An IC contains a subject and a verb and
has understandable meaning. It can stand
alone as a simple sentence by itself.
Form: S + V + modifier/complements.
Ex: Students have to wear uniform at UME.
Ex: You must come to the party.
Kinds of Clauses
2. Dependent/Subordinate Clauses (DC)
A DC contains a subject and a verb, but it
begins with subordinator. It cannot stand
alone in the sentence because it provides
incomplete thought.
Form: Subordinator + Subject + verb +
(complement / modifier)
Ex: Before my sister went to bed.
Ex: Even though Mara is a poor man.
Kinds of Dependent Clauses
 There are 3 kinds of dependent clauses:
1. Noun clause
2. Adjective or Relative clause
3. Adverb clause
 Noun clause functions as noun.
 Adjective clause functions as adjective.
 Adverb clause functions as adverb.
Noun Clauses – That Clauses
 Noun clauses are DCs that function as noun.
 There are 3 types of noun clauses: that-
clause, wh-word clause, and whether clause.
I- That clause
Form: (That + subject + verb) S + verb +
Complement
1. As subject
Ex: That he is honest is not true.
Ex: That he types so fast is a factor leading
to his career success.
Noun Clauses – That Clauses
2. As direct object
Ex: I think that the study of brain is
fascinating.
Ex: We know that Jacky is a powerful
leader.

3. As object of preposition
Ex: The child was afraid (of) that he would
fall down.
Ex: All of us are keen (about) that you
should succeed.

Noun Clauses – That Clauses
4. As predicate nominative
Ex: This lesson seems that we had already
learnt it.
Ex: The truth is that they did not go to
London.
5. As appositive
Ex: His belief that some day he would
succeed cheered him through many
disappointments.
Ex: The fact that women can live longer
than men is commonly known.
Noun Clauses – If/Whether clauses
Form: If/whether + subject + verb +
modifier/complement
1. As subject
Ex: Whether you love me (or not) is not
important.
Ex: Whether Mr. Obama can deal with the
economic crisis (or not) is still a question.
2. As direct object
Ex: I do not know whether I can win the game
(or not).
Ex: Please tell me if you will go with me (or
not).
Noun Clauses – If/Whether clauses
3. As object of preposition
Ex: I am not sure (of) whether it will rain
tomorrow or not.
Ex: John is not clear (about) whether he can
pass the exam or not.
4. As predicate nominative
Ex: The question is whether you can do it or
not.
Ex: The doubt is whether this person is boy or
girl.
5. As appositive
Ex: The question whether you can do it or not
is still not clear to everyone.
Ex: The doubt whether this person is boy or
girl is wondering.
Noun Clauses – Wh-word clauses
Form: wh-word + subject + verb + …….
1. As subject
Ex: How she smiles attracts me very much.
Ex: Where he goes every night worries
his wife.
2. As direct object
Ex: She hasn’t decided when she will leave
Phnom Penh for Battambang.
Ex: I do not know where I should go
today.
Noun Clauses – Wh-word clauses
3. As indirect object
Ex: I will give whoever found my wallet
200 dollars.
Ex: This organization will donate who were
the victims of the flood a big amount of
money.
4. As object of preposition
Ex: He believes in what he sees.
Ex: I do not agree with what you have said.
Noun Clauses – Wh-word clauses
5. As Predicate nominative
Ex: This place is where I live.
Ex: The man over there is who I am
looking for.
6. As objective complement
Ex: They called him what his name was.
Ex: The manager has appointed Chenda
what her position was before.
Adjective/Relative Clause
 Adjective or relative clause functions as
adjective and stands after the noun it
modifies.
 There are 8 subordinators used in
adjective clause.
1. Relative pronouns:
who, whom, which, whose, that
2. Relative adverbs:
when, where, why
Forms of Adjective Clause
 Starting with relative pronouns:
1. As subjective case:
Relative pronoun + V + …
… which gives more knowledge.
2. As Objective case:
Relative pronoun + S + V + …
Ex: … whom I respect so much
 Starting with relative adverbs:
Relative adverb + S + V + …
Ex: … where we had dinner together.
Using correct subordinators
 All the subordinators used in adjective
clause are changed by the noun in front,
but their meanings are the same. (Edl)​
1. Who & Whom
 They are used with the noun (person).
 Who can be used in subjective (formal)
and objective (informal) cases.
 Whom can be used only in objective case.
Using correct subordinators
Examples:
 The man who helped me is very kind.
 The secretary who I saw yesterday was
dismissed this morning. (informal)
 We need the boys whom we are training
everyday.
 The lady whom everyone recognizes as
the heroine is Madame Rita.
Using correct subordinators
2. Which
 It is used with noun as thing.
 It can be in subjective and objective cases.
Examples:
 The pen which I borrowed you yesterday
is very nice.
 He bought a car which costs millions of
dollars.
Using correct subordinators
3. Whose + noun
 It is used as the possession of the noun.
 It can be used with person or thing.
 It can be subjective and objective cases.
Examples:
 The minister whose house is near the
river is accused of corruption.
 This is the book whose cover we
designed.
Using correct subordinators
4. That
 It can be used with all nouns.
 It can be subjective or objective cases.
Example:
 The baby that is sleeping in the cradle was
abandoned in the street.
 The movie that we watched last week is
so disgusting.
Using correct subordinators
5. When, Where, and Why
 When is used with time.
 Where is used with place.
 Why is used with reason.
Examples:
 I still remember the time when we first
met.
 This is the place where we like to visit.
 I don’t know the reason why I am here.
Kinds of Adjective Clause
There are two kinds of relative clause:
1. Defining relative clause
 We do not use commas with this clause.
 This clause is important to the sentence.
Examples:
 The students who passed the exam will
get the prizes.
 The school where I visited yesterday
needs to be rebuilt.
Kinds of Adjective Clause
2. Non-defining relative clause
 We enclose commas with this clause.
 It is not important to the sentence and it
just gives more information.
Examples:
 Mr. Obama, who won the election, visited
Cambodia.
 PUC, where lots of students are studying,
is planning to build more buildings.
 Defining or Non-Defining Clause
Noun Relative Clause Types

Specific General Non-Defining

General Specific Defining

Titanic, which was the biggest ship, sank

unexpectedly.
The ship which is heading the Chicago is having a
serious problem.
Omission of Subordinator
 We can omit the subordinator in
adjective clause in case that
1. The clause is non-defining.
2. The subordinator is in objective case.
Examples:
 The computer (which) I am using is
broken.
 The girl (whom) I love so much ran away
from me.
Adverb/Adverbial Clause
 Adverb clause functions as adverb.
 It is started by adverbial subordinators
such as before, when, because, although,
while, whereas, …etc.
 There are 8 kinds of adverb clause but
some other books may give different
kinds. Therefore, you need to follow a
specific reference for your study.
Basic forms of Adverb Clause
 There are two basic forms of adverb
clause:
1. Independent Clause + Dependent Clause
Or: S + V +… + subordinator + S + V + …
Ex: I met you when I walked my dog.
2. Dependent Clause + Independent Clause
Or: Subordinator + S + V + …, S + V + …
Ex: When I walked my dog, I met you.
Note: Not all kinds of adverb clause can
take the second form.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
I- Adverb Clause of Cause / Reason
An adverb clause of cause is used to
modify a verb and is introduced by because,
since,…
Example:
 Because it is now late, let’s go to bed .
 She succeeded because she worked very
hard.
 They will lend me some money since I am
bad in need.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
II- Adverb Clause of Concession /
Contrast/ Opposition
An adverb clause of concession is used
to modify a verb and is introduced by
though, although, even though, even if …
Example:
 Although he locked the room, it was
burgled.
 They came to their class even though it
was raining cat and dog.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
III- Adverb Clause of Condition
An adverb clause of condition is used
to modify a verb and is introduced by if,
unless, …
Example:
 I will come unless it rains.
 If I pass the exam, I will buy a new
phone.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
IV- Adverb Clause of Consequence /
Result
An adverb clause of consequence is used
to modify a verb and is introduced by so ..
that, such …that, …
Example:
 He worked so hard that he fell ill.
 He is such a polite boy that I like him.
 It was such a hot day that the room is
stuffy.
 She speaks so quickly that I can’t
understand her.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
V- Adverb Clause of Comparison
An adverb clause of comparison is used to
modify a verb and is introduced by as … as, as,
as if and as though
Example:
 My friend swims as if he were fish. (manner)
 He behaves himself as he is a king. (manner)
 Pat jogs on the beach as far as she can.
(distance)
 She jogs on the beach as often as she can.
(frequency)
Kinds of Adverb Clause
VI- Adverb Clause of Place
An adverb clause of place is used to
modify a verb and is introduced by where
and wherever.
Example:
 I will go wherever she wants to.
 Wherever she is with me, I am happy.
 I prefer to live where the sun shines all
the year.
 My mum put the salt fish where the cat
couldn’t reach it.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
VII- Adverb Clause of Purpose
An adverb clause of purpose is used
to modify a verb and is introduced by so
that, in order that, …
Example:
 He speaks slowly in order that you may
understand him very well.
 She is learning English so that she can
study in the United States.
Kinds of Adverb Clause
VIII- Adverb Clause of Time
An adverb clause of time is used to
modify a verb and is introduced by a number
of conjunctions, such as after, before, since,
until (till), when, whenever, while, as long
as, as soon as, …
Example:
 I went outside after it had stopped raining.
 As soon as she returned home, she
made a fire.
 He had never seen snow until his family
moved from Florida to Boston.