STRUCTURES

OF
MODIFICATION
Clausal Modifiers
 Objectives:
* define a main clause and a subordinate clause
* differentiate defining/restrictive
clause with that of non-defining/non
restrictive clause
* give the kinds of adverb clauses and its meaning relationships
* correct misplaced and dangling clausal modifiers

2
What is a Clause?
- a group of words having a subject and
a verb
What are the Kinds of Clause?
* Main Clause-expresses a complete
thought
* Subordinate Clause-does not express
a complete thought
e.g. The lady who is wearing a red
dress is my aunt. 3
What are Clausal Modifiers?
- are subordinate clauses having a
subject and a verb but not expressing a
complete thought;
functions as an adjective or adverb
*Types of Clausal Modifiers*
1. Adjective/Relative Clause
- starts with a relative pronoun+
subject+ verb+ rest of the subordinate
clause 4
 -relative pronouns like who, whose,
whom, that, when, and where are used
e.g. - Students who work hard get good
grades.
- Grandpa remembers the old days when
there was no television.
-The store where the new phone was
being sold had a huge line of people outside it.
 *Types of Adjective Clauses*
a. Non-Defining/Nonrestrictive
- can be removed without
affecting the reader's
understanding
- separated with a comma
e.g. 1. Susan, who is a well-known
social activist, is a brave woman.
2. Jack, who is my friend, lives
abroad.
6
 b. Defining/Restrictive
- can’t be removed for the
meaning changes; specifies the
meaning
- not separated with a comma

e.g. 1. Are these the keys that you were

looking for?
2. This is the house which Jack built.
7
b. Adverb/Adverbial Clause
- starts with a subordinating conjunction+
subject + verb + rest of the subordinate
clause
- modifies a verb, an adjective and another
adverb
- answers the question when, where, why
and how
e.g. 1. He bakes cakes before he leaves for work
every Sunday.
 *Types of Adverbial Clauses*
1. Adverbial Clause of Manner
- describes how the action described
in the sentence’s main clause is taking
place or previously took place
e.g. 1. She addressed the crowd as she
had practiced in the mirror.
2. As I watch you sing melodiously, I
can feel the inner longings of your heart.
2. Adverbial Clause of Place
- describe where the action in
a sentence’s main clause takes
place
e.g. 1. My son told me another fight
broke out where he eats lunch at
school.
2. They drove beyond where
the city ends.
3. Adverbial Clause of Condition
- describes the conditions
related to the verb, adverb, or
adjective in the sentence’s main
clause
e.g.1. We’ll be sitting in the
conference room until they tell us to
leave.
2. Whether my husband likes
4. Adverbial Clause of Reason
- tell us the reason for the action being
taken in the main clause
- use because, unless, and since

e.g. 1. We adopted these two cats because they

are a bonded pair.
2. He’s amazing at billiards since he spent
his youth working in a pool hall.
5. Adverbial Clause of Time
-answers the question when the action in a sentence takes
place
e.g. 1. Before she got home, she called and ordered a pizza.
2. They assembled, dressed, and marched out as the band played.
6. Adverb Clause of Purpose
- explains the reason to take a specific action
e.g. 1. We studied all night so we would pass the exam.
2. So that they could ease the traffic flow, the event organizers
7. Adverbial Clause of Comparison
- tells how the subject of the subordinate clause compares to the
subject in the main clause
a. Comparison of Degree
e.g. 1. Felix is as good at video games as he is good at weight lifting.
2. We expected the afternoon class to perform better on the test than
the morning class did.
b. Comparison of Manner
8. Adverbial Clause of Concession
- acknowledges or admits a factor
that modifies the main clauses of
concession
e.g. 1. Despite how good my
intentions were, the interaction went
horribly wrong.
2. The department head hired the first
person they interviewed, though twenty
people applied for the job.
 Type Use Subordinating Conjunction
if, even if, unless, when, in
to describe what must happen first so
Condition case, in the event that,
that another thing can happen
provided that
to describe the cause of an action in because, since, as, now that,
Reason
the main clause because of
to describe opposite information to
Contrast while, although, whereas
something in the main clause
to describe unexpected or surprising
Concession although, though, even though
information relative to the main clause
so, so … that (so much that, so
to show what happens after the action many that, so few that, so
Result
of the main clause happens adjective or adverb that), such
(a/an) noun that

Purpose to describe why something happens so, so that

to describe when the action of the after, as soon as, before, when,
Time adverb clause happens in relation to the while, until, whenever, as,
action of the main clause once, by the time, since
to describe how or in what way 16
Manner as, as though, as if
something in the main clause happens
Misplaced Clausal Modifier occurs
when it is far away from the word it
modifies.
e.g. She wore a bicycle helmet on her
head that was too large.
To Correct:- place the modifier near the
word it modifies
Corrected: She wore a bicycle helmet
that was too large on her head.
Dangling Modifier occurs when the
word being modified is missing.
e.g. While she was taking a trip to
Baguio, the camera suddenly conked
out.
To Correct: add a subject
Corrected:
While Jenny was taking a trip to
Baguio, she suddenly conked out her
 Exercises on Clausal Modifiers
A.If the underlined adjective clause is defining,
write DAC and if it is non-defining, separate
the adjective clause with a comma from the
main clause.
1. She is the one who kindly helped me with my
shopping.
2. My brother who lives in Boston is an accountant.
3. Can I buy the dress that is displayed in the
window?
4. The package which Jim already posted arrived
yesterday.
5. Joanna whose father is a doctor is coming to the
B. Combine the sentences making the less important one
into an adjective clause.
1. The townhouse we are renting is very convenient. It has
television, a refrigerator, and a washing machine.
2.Some children have not received flu shots. These children
must visit the school doctor.
3. My classmate seems very lonely. He lives away from
home.
4. I showed the arrowhead to Rachel. Rachel's mother is an
archaeologist.
5. The sofa was wet. I sat on it. 20
C. Direction: Combine the pairs of
sentences by making one into an adverb
clause using a subordinating conjunction.
1. You finish dressing. I will wait here.
2. There is heavy rainfall there. Grapes will
not grow at such a place.
3. It may rain. Then the match will be
cancelled.
4. He is not educated. He has practical
knowledge.
5. I sank into the water. I felt great confusion
of thought. 21
D. Direction: The underlined clausal modifier is
misplaced. Correct it by placing it near the word
it modifies.
1. Jane used to bring soup for her boyfriend that
was so delicious.
2. The waiter served a dinner roll to the woman
which was well buttered.
E. Correct the underlined phrasal modifier by
changing it into an adverb clause.
1. Having injured his dominant hand, it was difficult
for him to write the exam.
22
2. While driving to work, a car
accident caused a traffic jam on the
highway.
3. Taken down to the cellar, the
darkness obscured the details of the
room.
4. To become a practicing dentist, many
teeth must be cleaned, filled, and filed.
5. To win the spelling bee, Luis and
Gerard should join our team. 23