CLAUSES AND COMPLEX SENTENCES
1. A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate and is used as a sentence or a part of a sentence. There are two types of clauses: main and subordinate. A main clause has a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a sentence. A subordinate clause has a subject and a predicate, but it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
main sub.
She became a vegetarian because she loves animals.
2. There are three types of subordinate clauses: adjective, adverb, and noun.
a. An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.
The wrens that built a nest in the backyard are now raising their young.
b. An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that often modifies the verb in the main
clause of the sentence. It tells when, where, how, why, or under what conditions.
Before they got out, the goats broke the fence in several places.
c. A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun.
Whatever we do will have to please everyone. (subject)
The prize goes to whoever can keep the squirrels away from the feeder. (object of preposition)
3. Main and subordinate clauses can form several types of sentences. A simple sentence has only one main clause and no subordinate clauses. A compound sentence has two or more main clauses. A complex sentence has at least one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
main
Simple: The apples fell off the tree.
main main
Compound: The dancers bowed, and the audience clapped.
sub . main
Complex: Because they turn to face the sun, these flowers are called sunflowers.
4. A sentence that makes a statement is classified as a declarative sentence.
My dad’s favorite horses are buckskins.
An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request.
Please close the door on your way out.
An interrogative sentence asks a question.
When will the mail carrier arrive?
An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion.
Watch out!
What a view that is!
1. Join the following sentences paying particular attention to word order.
Ques.(a) Look at the teacher. He is talking to his pupil.
Ans.(a) Look at the teacher who is talking to his pupil.
Ques.(b) Ireland exports computer components. They are mostly made in Dublin.
Ans.(b) Ireland exports computer components which are mostly made in Dublin.
Ques.(c) John looked anxiously at his watch. He wished he hadn’t come to the party.
Ans..(c) John, who wished he hadn't come to the party, looked anxiously at his watch.
Ques.(d) There were a lot of people here earlier. They wanted to talk to you.
Ans.(d) There were a lot of people here earlier who wanted to talk to you.
Ques.(e) There was an actor there. His work took him all over the world.
Ans..(e) There was an actor there whose work took him all over the world.
2. Join the two sentences into one keeping in mind the uses of clauses.
Ques.(a) A plane crashed into the ocean yesterday. It was carrying 345 passengers.
Ans..(a) A plane which was carrying 345 passengers crashed into the ocean yesterday.
Ques.(b) The paintings have now been recovered. They were stolen from a mansion in London.
Ans.. (b) The paintings which were stolen from a mansion in London have now been recovered.
Ques.(c) At the end of the street is a path. The path leads to a lake.
Ans..(c) At the end of the street is a path which leads to the lake.
Ques.(d) I live in a very nice flat. It overlooks some beautiful gardens.
Ans.(d) I live in a very nice flat which overlooks some beautiful gardens.
Ques.(e) Somebody phoned while you were in town. He was called Jack.
Ans.(e) Somebody called Jack phoned while you were in town.
3. Complete the following sentences keeping in mind the uses of clauses.
(a) My grandfather __________was an extraordinary pianist, lived till the age of 78.
(b) The book__________we read in the course was written by Roald Dahl.
(c) For years he lived a life__________was very pleasurable.
(d) My car, __________I bought in Germany, needs repairing.
(e) Jeremy,__________is a famous author, is coming to see me today.
Ans.(a) who
(b) which
(c) which
(d) which
(e) who
4. There is an error in following sentences. Find the error and rewrite the sentences correctly
Ques.(a) Mr Carlisle, whom I spoke last night, is very interested in our new project.
Ans.(a) Mr Carlisle, to whom I spoke last night, is very interested in our new project.
Ques.(b) She couldn’t come to the conference that was a pity.
Ans..(b) She couldn’t come to the conference, which was a pity.
Ques. (c) Suzanna has many friends, most of which she went to school with.
Ans..(c) Suzanna has many friends, most of whom she went to school with.
Ques.(d) She tried on several jackets, none of whom fit her.
Ans.(d) She tried on several jackets, none of which fit her.
Ques.(e) Melanie, that has just bought a house near Gatwick, is getting married.
Ans.(e) Melanie, who has just bought a house near Gatwick, is getting married.
5. Complete the following dialogue. There may be more than one possible answer.
Astha Could you do me a favour (a) __________?
Tanmay First tell me (b)__________
Astha Please go to Jyoti’s place and bring my book (c)__________
Ans.(a) if you have some free time
(b) what you want me to do
(c) that I have forgotten there
6. There is an error in the following sentences. Rewrite them correctly.
Ques.(a) She told me which she would be delighted to come.
Ans..(a) She told me that she would be delighted to come.
Ques.(b) Pay careful attention to whom I am going to say.
Ans.b) Pay careful attention to what I am going to say.
Ques.(c) I went to see which had happened.
Ans.(c) I went to see what had happened.
Ques.(d) Which you should cheat me, hurts me.
Ans.(d) That you should cheat me, hurts me.
Ques.(e) I don’t know which I can get out of this mess.
Ans.(e) I don’t know how I can get out of this mess!
Ques.(f) I don’t know whose he wants.
Ans.(f) I don’t know what he wants.
Ques.(g) I thought whom she would arrive tomorrow.
Ans.(g) I thought that she would arrive tomorrow.
Ques.(h) He asked me unless I knew his name.
Ans.(h) He. asked me if I knew his name.
Ques.(i) I want to know whom she is angry with me.
Ans.i) I want to know why she is angry with me.
Ques.(j) I often wonder whose he is getting on.
Ans.j) I often wonder how he is getting on.
