English Grammar: Clauses – Complete Study Guide for ESL Students

Introduction to Clauses

Understanding the Building Blocks of English Sentences

📚 Exam Context: Questions based on Clauses (उपवाक्य) are regularly asked in competitive and academic examinations. They appear in various forms such as:

Gap Filling
Sentence Completion
Sentence Reordering
Combining Sentences
Error Detection
Sentence Improvement

What is a Clause?

CLAUSE = Group of Words + Subject + Predicate (Finite Verb)

A clause is a group of words that forms a part of a sentence and contains both a subject and a predicate (finite verb) of its own.

Pro Tip: To count the number of clauses in a sentence, count the number of finite verbs joined by conjunctions.

Key Components:

Subject

The part of the clause about which something is said

Example: The boy runs fast.

Predicate

The part that tells us about the subject

Example: The boy runs fast.

Examples of Subject and Predicate:

The boy who stole my purse (Subject) was killed (Predicate)
This (Subject) is the house where he lives (Predicate)
The guard (Subject) waved the green flag (Predicate) and the train (Subject) started (Predicate)
→ This sentence has 2 clauses (2 finite verbs: waved, started)

Three Main Types of Clauses

Classification Based on Function and Independence

🏛️

Principal Clause

मुख्य उपवाक्य

Independent

⚖️

Coordinate Clause

स्वतन्त्र उपवाक्य

Equal Status

🔗

Subordinate Clause

सहायक उपवाक्य

Dependent

1 Principal Clause (मुख्य उपवाक्य)

Characteristics:

Also called an Independent Clause
Can stand alone as a complete sentence
Does NOT depend on subordinate clauses to clarify its meaning
Makes complete sense on its own

Examples:

I do not know where he goes.

→ “I do not know” is the principal clause
Sita said that she was going to market.

→ “Sita said” is the principal clause
This is the house where I live.

→ “This is the house” is the principal clause

2 Coordinate Clause (स्वतन्त्र उपवाक्य)

Characteristics:

Has equal status and meaning to the Principal Clause
Other clauses do NOT depend on it
Connected to Principal Clause using coordinate conjunctions
Forms compound sentences

Common Coordinate Conjunctions:
                            and
                            but
                            or
                            nor
                            for
                            yet
                            so
                        

Examples:

I shall go and she will come.

→ Both clauses have equal importance
She worked very hard but she failed.

→ Two independent clauses showing contrast
He is intelligent yet he is humble.

→ Both clauses can stand alone

3 Subordinate Clause (सहायक उपवाक्य)

Characteristics:

Does NOT express its full meaning on its own
Depends on other clauses to express complete meaning
Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
Acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb in the sentence

Examples:

I know that you are a good boy.

→ “that you are a good boy” depends on “I know”
I asked her what she was doing.

→ “what she was doing” cannot stand alone
He will succeed if he works hard.

→ “if he works hard” depends on “He will succeed”

                        📌 Three Types of Subordinate Clauses:
                        Noun Clause (संज्ञा उपवाक्य) – Works as a noun
Adjective Clause (विशेषण उपवाक्य) – Works as an adjective
Adverb Clause (क्रिया विशेषण उपवाक्य) – Works as an adverb

                    

Noun Clause (संज्ञा उपवाक्य)

A Clause That Functions as a Noun

NOUN CLAUSE = Subordinate Clause that works as a NOUN

A Noun Clause is a subordinate clause that can be used in place of a noun. It functions as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Identification Trick: To identify a Noun Clause, add “what” to the main verb. The answer you get is the Noun Clause!

Identification Process:

Example 1:

Sentence: He is happy to know that his daughter got first division.

Question: He is happy to know what?

Answer: that his daughter got first division

✓ This is the Noun Clause

Example 2:

Sentence: That he will come is certain.

Question: What is certain?

Answer: That he will come

✓ This is the Noun Clause (acting as subject)

Conjunctions/Connectives Used in Noun Clauses

Subordinate Noun Clauses are joined to the principal clause by:

that whether if who whom whose which when where how why

Comprehensive Examples:

No.	Complete Sentence	Noun Clause (Highlighted)
1	He said that he is not guilty.	that he is not guilty
2	He asked if the school was closed.	if the school was closed
3	I do not know who gave me this book.	who gave me this book
4	I know what he wants.	what he wants
5	Tell me whom you like most.	whom you like most
6	Tell me where he was born.	where he was born
7	I wanted to know whether you can help me.	whether you can help me
8	This is what I never expected.	what I never expected
9	I do not know whose book this is.	whose book this is
10	I know when he will come.	when he will come
11	I do not know why he came here.	why he came here

Important Note: Relative Pronouns, Relative Adverbs, and Interrogative Pronouns are used without an Antecedent (पूर्ववर्ती) in the sentence to form Subordinate Noun Clauses.

Functions of Noun Clauses

As Subject

What he said was true.

The noun clause acts as the subject of the sentence

As Object

I know what you mean.

The noun clause acts as the object of the verb

As Complement

This is what I wanted.

The noun clause completes the meaning

Adjective Clause (विशेषण उपवाक्य)

A Clause That Describes or Modifies a Noun

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE = Subordinate Clause that works as an ADJECTIVE

An Adjective Clause (also called Relative Clause) is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes, identifies, or gives more information about a noun.

Identification Trick: Ask “which?” or “what kind?” after the noun. The answer is the Adjective Clause!

Relative Pronouns & Adverbs Used

Adjective Clauses are introduced by:

Relative Pronouns:

who whom whose which that

Relative Adverbs:

where when why

Key Difference from Noun Clause: Adjective Clauses MUST have an Antecedent (पूर्ववर्ती) – a noun or pronoun that comes before the relative word.

Examples with Identification:

Example 1:

Sentence: The boy who stole my purse was caught.

Question: Which boy?

Answer: The one who stole my purse

Antecedent: boy

✓ This is an Adjective Clause describing “boy”

Example 2:

Sentence: This is the house where I was born.

Question: Which house?

Answer: The one where I was born

Antecedent: house

✓ This is an Adjective Clause describing “house”

Comprehensive Examples:

No.	Complete Sentence	Antecedent	Adjective Clause
1	The man who is honest is trusted.	man	who is honest
2	The book which you gave me is interesting.	book	which you gave me
3	The girl whom I met yesterday is my cousin.	girl	whom I met yesterday
4	The student whose book was stolen is crying.	student	whose book was stolen
5	This is the place where we first met.	place	where we first met
6	I remember the day when I got married.	day	when I got married
7	Tell me the reason why you are late.	reason	why you are late
8	The house that Jack built is beautiful.	house	that Jack built
9	People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.	People	who live in glass houses
10	The car which is parked outside belongs to me.	car	which is parked outside

Types of Adjective Clauses

🔒 Restrictive (Defining)

Essential to the meaning of the sentence. No commas used.

The students who studied hard passed the exam.

→ Only those who studied hard passed

🔓 Non-Restrictive (Non-Defining)

Adds extra information. Commas used.

My brother, who lives in Delhi, is a doctor.

→ Additional information about the brother

Adverb Clause (क्रिया विशेषण उपवाक्य)

A Clause That Modifies Verbs, Adjectives, or Adverbs

ADVERB CLAUSE = Subordinate Clause that works as an ADVERB

An Adverb Clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It answers questions like: When? Where? Why? How? Under what condition?

Identification Trick: Ask When? Where? Why? How? Under what condition? The answer is the Adverb Clause!

Types of Adverb Clauses

⏰

Time

When?

📍

Place

Where?

🎯

Purpose

Why? For what?

💡

Reason

Why?

✅

Condition

Under what condition?

🔄

Contrast

Despite what?

📊

Comparison

How? To what extent?

🎭

Manner

How? In what way?

📈

Result

With what result?

✅ 1. Adverb Clause of Condition

Expresses a condition that must be fulfilled for the main clause action to occur.

Common Conjunctions:
                            if
                            unless
                            provided that
                            as long as
                            supposing
                            in case
                        

Type A: Open or Probable Condition (संभावित शर्त)

If + Present Tense (V1/V1+s/es), will/shall + V1

Shows probability of a condition that may happen in the future.

Examples:

• If you work hard, you will pass.
• If they make a noise, they will be punished.
• If you have enough money, you can buy a car.
• Unless you work hard, you may not get good marks.

💡 Note: Unless means If not.

Example: Unless you study = If you do not study

Type B: Hypothetical/Improbable Condition (काल्पनिक शर्त)

If + Past Tense (V2/were), would/could/might/should + V1

Refers to an improbable or imaginary situation in the present or future.

Examples:

• If you attended the ceremony, you would get a nice gift.
• If Nisha joined the meeting, she would get a chance.
• If you went to Delhi, you might see the Prime Minister.
• If I had money, I should pay you.

⚠️ Special Case – “Were” for all subjects:

In hypothetical conditions, use “were” for all subjects (not “was”):

• If I were you, I would accept the offer.
• If he were rich, he would help the poor.
• If she were a bird, she could fly.

💡 Inversion (dropping “if”):

Were I you, I would accept the proposal.

= If I were you, I would accept the proposal.

Type C: Unfulfilled/Impossible Condition (अपूर्ण शर्त)

If + Past Perfect (had+V3), would/could/might/should + have + V3

Refers to a condition that was NOT fulfilled in the past (impossible now).

Examples:

• If Neeraj had worked hard, he would have succeeded.
• If Archana had reached the station, she would have caught the train.
• If we had run fast, we could have caught the bus.
• If she had been at the meeting, I should have seen her.

💡 Inversion (dropping “if”):

Had I worked hard, I would have passed.

= If I had worked hard, I would have passed.

Quick Comparison: Three Types of Conditional Clauses

Type	If Clause	Main Clause	Meaning	Example
Type A Open/Probable	Present Tense (V1/V1+s/es)	will/shall/can/may + V1	Possible future	If you work, you will pass.
Type B Hypothetical	Past Tense (V2/were)	would/could/might/should + V1	Imaginary present/future	If you worked, you would pass.
Type C Unfulfilled	Past Perfect (had + V3)	would/could/might/should + have + V3	Impossible past	If you had worked, you would have passed.

⏰ 2. Adverb Clause of Time

Indicates when the action in the main clause occurs.

Common Conjunctions:
                            when
                            whenever
                            while
                            as
                            after
                            before
                            since
                            till/until
                            as soon as
                            as long as
                        

Examples:

I waited for Gopal till he arrived.

→ Answers: Waited until when?
The patient had died before the doctor came.

→ Answers: When did the patient die?
When the teacher entered the class, the students stopped making noise.

→ Answers: When did students stop?
Sita has been living here since her husband died.

→ Answers: Since when has she been living?
I was watching TV while she was cooking food.

→ Answers: When was I watching TV?
As soon as the thief saw the police, he ran away.

→ Answers: When did he run away?
The train left after I had reached the station.

→ Answers: When did the train leave?

📍 3. Adverb Clause of Place

Indicates where the action in the main clause occurs.

Common Conjunctions:
                            where
                            wherever
                            everywhere
                        

Examples:

• You can sit where you like.
• Wherever you go, I will follow you.
• He looked where he thought he might find help.
• Everywhere he went, people welcomed him.

🎯 4. Adverb Clause of Purpose

Indicates the purpose or intention behind the action in the main clause.

Common Conjunctions:
                            so that
                            in order that
                            lest
                            that
                        

Examples:

• He works hard so that he may succeed.
• She saved money in order that she might buy a house.
• Walk carefully lest you should fall.
• I eat that I may live.

💡 Note: “Lest” means “so that…not” or “for fear that”

💡 5. Adverb Clause of Reason/Cause

Indicates the reason or cause for the action in the main clause.

Common Conjunctions:
                            because
                            since
                            as
                            for
                            now that
                        

Examples:

• He was punished because he was late.
• Since you are busy, I will not disturb you.
• As it was raining, we stayed at home.
• Now that you have finished, you may go.

🔄 6. Adverb Clause of Contrast/Concession

Shows contrast or unexpected results between two ideas.

Common Conjunctions:
                            although
                            though
                            even though
                            while
                            whereas
                            even if
                        

Examples:

• Although he is poor, he is honest.
• She passed the exam though she did not study well.
• Even though it was raining, we went out.
• He is rich, whereas his brother is poor.

📊 7. Adverb Clause of Comparison

Compares one action or quality with another.

Common Patterns:
                            as…as
                            not so…as
                            than
                            the…the
                        

Examples:

• He is as tall as his brother is.
• She runs faster than I do.
• He is not so clever as his sister is.
• The higher you climb, the colder it gets.

🎭 8. Adverb Clause of Manner

Describes how an action is performed.

Common Conjunctions:
                            as
                            as if
                            as though
                            like
                        

Examples:

• Do as I tell you.
• He behaves as if he were a king.
• She talks as though she knows everything.
• He ran like the wind blows.

📈 9. Adverb Clause of Result

Shows the result or consequence of an action.

Common Patterns:
                            so…that
                            such…that
                        

Examples:

• He was so tired that he could not walk.
• She spoke so loudly that everyone heard her.
• It was such a good movie that I watched it twice.
• He worked so hard that he fell ill.

Practice Exercises

Test Your Understanding of Clauses

Exercise 1: Identify the Type of Clause

Identify whether the underlined clause is a Noun, Adjective, or Adverb Clause.

1. I know what you did last summer.
2. The book that you lent me was interesting.
3. She cried because she was sad.
4. What he said surprised everyone.
5. The place where we met is now closed.
6. If you work hard, you will succeed.
7. Tell me why you are late.
8. The man who lives next door is a teacher.
9. Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
10. I will wait until you come.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with Appropriate Conjunctions

1. I will help you _______ you ask me. (when/where/why)
2. He could not attend the meeting _______ he was ill. (because/although/if)
3. This is the house _______ I was born. (when/where/which)
4. _______ you are ready, we can leave. (If/That/What)
5. She ran _______ she could catch the bus. (so that/because/although)
6. The students _______ worked hard passed the exam. (who/whom/whose)
7. I don’t know _______ he will come or not. (that/whether/which)
8. _______ he is poor, he is honest. (Because/Although/If)
9. He behaved _______ nothing had happened. (as if/because/so that)
10. The train had left _______ I reached the station. (after/before/when)

Exercise 3: Combine Using Appropriate Clauses

1. He is sick. He came to school.

(Use: although)
2. You work hard. You will pass.

(Use: if)
3. I have a friend. He lives in Delhi.

(Use: who)
4. She was tired. She went to bed early.

(Use: because)
5. Tell me something. Where is the post office?

(Use: where)

Exercise 4: Complete the Conditional Sentences

1. If you _______ (study) hard, you will pass the exam. (Type A)
2. If I _______ (be) you, I would accept the offer. (Type B)
3. If she _______ (come) earlier, she would have met him. (Type C)
4. If it _______ (rain) tomorrow, we will cancel the trip. (Type A)
5. If he _______ (have) money, he would buy a car. (Type B)
6. If they _______ (work) harder, they would have succeeded. (Type C)
7. If you _______ (not help) me, I cannot finish this work. (Type A)
8. If I _______ (know) her address, I would visit her. (Type B)
9. If we _______ (start) early, we would have reached on time. (Type C)
10. Unless you _______ (hurry), you will miss the train. (Type A)

Advanced Quiz Challenge

Test Your Mastery with 25 Comprehensive Questions

🎯

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

This quiz contains 25 carefully crafted questions covering all aspects of clauses. Each question comes with hints and detailed explanations.

25

Questions

💡

Hints Available

📝

Detailed Explanations

Exam Tips & Common Errors

Master These for Board Exam Success

🎯 Quick Exam Strategies

Do’s for Exam

✓ Read the entire sentence first
✓ Identify the main clause
✓ Look for conjunctions/connectives
✓ Check subject-verb agreement
✓ Verify tense consistency
✓ Use identification tricks (What? Which? When?)

Don’ts for Exam

✗ Don’t confuse adjective and noun clauses
✗ Don’t forget antecedents in adjective clauses
✗ Don’t mix conditional types
✗ Don’t use “will” in if-clause
✗ Don’t ignore punctuation
✗ Don’t rush without understanding

⚠️ Common Errors to Avoid

❌ Error 1: Using “will” in if-clause (Type A)

Wrong: If you will work hard, you will pass.

Correct: If you work hard, you will pass.

❌ Error 2: Using “was” instead of “were” in Type B

Wrong: If I was you, I would help him.

Correct: If I were you, I would help him.

❌ Error 3: Confusing Noun and Adjective Clauses

Noun Clause: I know what he wants. (No antecedent)

Adjective Clause: This is the book which he wants. (Has antecedent: book)

❌ Error 4: Wrong conjunction for clause type

Wrong: He failed although he worked hard.

Correct: He failed though he worked hard. / He worked hard but he failed.

❌ Error 5: Mixing conditional types

Wrong: If you worked hard, you will pass.

Correct: If you work hard, you will pass. (Type A)

OR: If you worked hard, you would pass. (Type B)

📝 Memory Tricks & Mnemonics

For Conditional Types:

Type A: Present → Will (Possible/Will happen)

Type B: Past → Would (Past form but NOT past time)

Type C: Had → Have (Had done → would Have done)

For Clause Types:

Noun: Ask “WHAT?” → Object replacement

Adjective: Ask “WHICH?” → Needs Antecedent

Adverb: Ask “WHEN/WHERE/WHY/HOW?” → Circumstance

                    Essential Checklist for Exam Success
                    ✅ Know all 3 conditional types perfectly
✅ Remember conjunctions for each clause type
✅ Practice identification techniques (What? Which? When?)
✅ Understand difference between Noun and Adjective clauses
✅ Master time clause conjunctions (when, while, as, since, etc.)
✅ Learn common sentence combination patterns

                

Quick Reference Chart

All Clause Types at a Glance

Clause Type	Function	Identification Question	Common Connectors	Example
Principal	Main idea	–	–	I know
Coordinate	Equal status	–	and, but, or, yet, so	I went and she came
Noun	Works as noun	What?	that, whether, if, who, what, when, where	I know what he said
Adjective	Describes noun	Which? What kind?	who, whom, whose, which, that, where, when	The man who came
Adverb – Time	Tells when	When?	when, while, before, after, since, till, until	When he came, I left
Adverb – Place	Tells where	Where?	where, wherever	I go where you go
Adverb – Condition	Tells condition	Under what condition?	if, unless, provided that	If you work, you’ll pass
Adverb – Reason	Tells why	Why?	because, since, as	He left because it rained
Adverb – Contrast	Shows contrast	Despite what?	although, though, even though	Though he’s poor, he’s happy

Table of Contents

Introduction to Clauses

What is a Clause?

Key Components:

Subject

Predicate

Examples of Subject and Predicate:

Three Main Types of Clauses

Principal Clause

Coordinate Clause

Subordinate Clause

1 Principal Clause (मुख्य उपवाक्य)

Characteristics:

Examples:

2 Coordinate Clause (स्वतन्त्र उपवाक्य)

Characteristics:

Common Coordinate Conjunctions:

Examples:

3 Subordinate Clause (सहायक उपवाक्य)

Characteristics:

Examples:

📌 Three Types of Subordinate Clauses:

Noun Clause (संज्ञा उपवाक्य)

Identification Process:

Conjunctions/Connectives Used in Noun Clauses

Comprehensive Examples:

Functions of Noun Clauses

As Subject

As Object

As Complement

Adjective Clause (विशेषण उपवाक्य)

Relative Pronouns & Adverbs Used

Relative Pronouns:

Relative Adverbs:

Examples with Identification:

Comprehensive Examples:

Types of Adjective Clauses

🔒 Restrictive (Defining)

🔓 Non-Restrictive (Non-Defining)

Adverb Clause (क्रिया विशेषण उपवाक्य)

Types of Adverb Clauses

Time

Place

Purpose

Reason

Condition

Contrast

Comparison

Manner

Result

✅ 1. Adverb Clause of Condition

Common Conjunctions:

Type A: Open or Probable Condition (संभावित शर्त)

Examples:

Type B: Hypothetical/Improbable Condition (काल्पनिक शर्त)

Examples:

Type C: Unfulfilled/Impossible Condition (अपूर्ण शर्त)

Examples:

Quick Comparison: Three Types of Conditional Clauses

⏰ 2. Adverb Clause of Time

Common Conjunctions:

Examples:

📍 3. Adverb Clause of Place

Common Conjunctions:

Examples:

🎯 4. Adverb Clause of Purpose

Common Conjunctions:

Examples:

💡 5. Adverb Clause of Reason/Cause

Common Conjunctions:

Examples:

🔄 6. Adverb Clause of Contrast/Concession

Common Conjunctions:

Examples:

📊 7. Adverb Clause of Comparison

Common Patterns:

Examples:

🎭 8. Adverb Clause of Manner

Common Conjunctions:

Examples: