Clause

Slide 1:

Clause Clause: A group of words which forms part of sentence, and contains a subject and Predicate, is called a clause. Ex. The sun rises in the east . Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Show me how to do it. A sentence which contains just one clause is called a simple sentence . A sentence which contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses is called a complex sentence . (Dependent clauses are also called subordinate clauses .)

Slide 2:

Noun Clause Noun clauses perform the same functions in sentences that nouns do : A noun clause can be a subject of a verb : What Billy did shocked his friends. A noun clause can be an object of a verb : Billy’s friends didn’t know that he couldn’t swim. A noun clause can be a subject complement : Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take lessons . A noun clause can be an object of a preposition : Mary is not responsible for what Billy did . A noun clause (but not a noun) can be an adjective complement : Everybody is sad that Billy drowned.

Slide 3:

Noun clauses as subjects of verbs : That George learned how to swim is a miracle. Whether Fred can get a better job is not certain. What Mary said confused her parents. However you learn to spell is OK with me.

Slide 4:

Noun clauses as objects of verbs : We didn’t know that Billy would jump . didn’t know Billy would jump . you tell me if Fred is here ? I don’t know where he is . George eats whatever is on his plate.

Slide 5:

Noun clauses as subject complements : The truth is that Billy was not very smart . The truth is Billy was not very smart . The question is whether other boys will try the same thing . The winner will be whoever runs fastest .

Slide 6:

Noun clauses as objects of prepositions : Billy didn’t listen to what Mary said . He wants to learn about whatever is interesting .

Slide 7:

Noun clauses as adjective complements : He is happy that he is learning English . We are all afraid that the final exam will be difficult.

Slide 8:

Exercise : Find out the noun clauses in the following sentences 1.    The king ordered that the traitor should be put to death. 2.    He said that he would not go. 3.    That he is not interested in the offer is known to us. 4.    He said that he was not feeling well. 5.    I cannot rely on what he says. 6.    I don’t know where he has gone. 7.    He asked whether the servant had polished his shoes. 8.    The news that he is alive has been confirmed. 9.    The belief that the soul is immortal is almost universal. 10.    It is certain that we will have to admit defeat. 11.    It was fortunate that he was present. 12.    The report that only ten persons were killed in the riots is not true.

Answers 1.    Here the noun clause ‘that the traitor should be put to death’ is that object of the verb ordered. 2.    Here the noun clause ‘that he would not go’ is the object of the verb said. 3.    Here the noun clause ‘that he is not interested in the offer’ is the subject of the verb is. 4.    Here the noun clause ‘that he was not feeling well’ is the object of the verb said. 5.    Here the noun clause ‘what he says’ is the object of the preposition on. 6.    Here the noun clause ‘where he has gone’ is the object of the verb know. 7.    Here the noun clause ‘whether the servant had polished his shoes’ is the object of the verb asked. 8.    Here the noun clause ‘that he is alive’ is in apposition to the noun news. 9.    Here the noun clause ‘that the soul is immortal’ is in apposition to the noun belief. 10.    Here the noun clause ‘that we will have to admit defeat’ is in apposition to the pronoun it. 11.    Here the noun clause ‘that he was present’ is in apposition to the pronoun it. 12.    Here the noun clause ‘that only ten persons were killed in the riots’ is in apposition to the noun report. :

Answers 1.    Here the noun clause ‘that the traitor should be put to death’ is that object of the verb ordered. 2.    Here the noun clause ‘that he would not go’ is the object of the verb said. 3.    Here the noun clause ‘that he is not interested in the offer’ is the subject of the verb is. 4.    Here the noun clause ‘that he was not feeling well’ is the object of the verb said. 5.    Here the noun clause ‘what he says’ is the object of the preposition on. 6.    Here the noun clause ‘where he has gone’ is the object of the verb know. 7.    Here the noun clause ‘whether the servant had polished his shoes’ is the object of the verb asked. 8.    Here the noun clause ‘that he is alive’ is in apposition to the noun news. 9.    Here the noun clause ‘that the soul is immortal’ is in apposition to the noun belief. 10.    Here the noun clause ‘that we will have to admit defeat’ is in apposition to the pronoun it. 11.    Here the noun clause ‘that he was present’ is in apposition to the pronoun it. 12.    Here the noun clause ‘that only ten persons were killed in the riots’ is in apposition to the noun report.