CLAUSES (English Grammar) – Complete Notes for Competitive Exams
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CHAPTER: CLAUSE
Introduction
Clause is one of the most important topics in English Grammar for competitive examinations such as JKSSB, SSC, Banking, Railway, Police, UPSC, CDS, CAPF, and State PSC examinations. Every year, questions related to clauses appear directly or indirectly in Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Para Jumbles, Active-Passive Voice, Direct-Indirect Speech, and Reading Comprehension.
A strong understanding of clauses helps candidates improve both grammar accuracy and sentence formation.
Meaning of Clause
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.
Unlike a phrase, a clause always has a subject and a finite verb.
Examples
She is reading.
The dog barked loudly.
Because he was sick
When the rain stopped
The first two are complete clauses. The last two also have subject and verb but cannot express a complete idea independently.
Definition of Clause
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate (verb) that forms part or whole of a sentence.
Example
When the teacher entered, the students became silent.
Clause 1:
When the teacher entered
Subject: the teacher
Verb: entered
Clause 2:
the students became silent
Subject: the students
Verb: became
Difference Between Phrase and Clause
| Phrase | Clause |
|---|---|
| Has no subject and finite verb | Has subject and finite verb |
| Does not express complete thought | May or may not express complete thought |
| Cannot stand alone | Some clauses can stand alone |
| Example: in the room | Example: He is in the room |
Structure of a Clause
Every clause generally contains
Subject + Verb + Object/Complement (if required)
Examples
The boy laughed.
The girl sings beautifully.
The train arrived late.
Types of Clauses
Clauses are mainly divided into two major categories.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
1. Independent Clause (Main Clause)
Definition
An Independent Clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Examples
I love English.
She passed the examination.
The sun rises in the east.
He is honest.
Each sentence has complete meaning.
Examples
Although it was raining, we played cricket.
Independent Clause:
We played cricket.
Dependent Clause:
Although it was raining.
2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)
Definition
A Dependent Clause cannot stand alone because it does not express a complete idea.
It depends on the main clause.
Examples
because he was ill
when the bell rang
if you work hard
although she was tired
These clauses require another clause to complete the meaning.
Types of Dependent Clauses
There are three important subordinate clauses.
Noun Clause
Adjective Clause
Adverb Clause
A. Noun Clause
Definition
A Noun Clause works like a noun.
It can act as Subject, Object, Complement, or Object of a Preposition.
Introduced by
that
what
who
whom
whether
if
why
how
Examples
I know that he is honest.
The noun clause:
that he is honest
It works as the object of "know."
What he said is true.
Noun Clause:
What he said
Acts as the subject.
She believes that honesty is the best policy.
Noun Clause:
that honesty is the best policy
Acts as object.
B. Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)
Definition
An Adjective Clause describes a noun or pronoun.
It answers
Which?
What kind?
Whose?
Introduced by
who
whom
whose
which
that
where
when
Examples
The boy who won the prize is my brother.
The adjective clause:
who won the prize
Describes "boy."
The book which you gave me is interesting.
Describes "book."
The girl whose father is a doctor lives nearby.
Describes "girl."
C. Adverb Clause
Definition
An Adverb Clause modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb.
It tells
Time
Reason
Condition
Purpose
Result
Contrast
Comparison
Place
Manner
Examples
I will call you when I arrive.
Adverb clause of Time
Because he was sick, he stayed home.
Adverb clause of Reason
If you study hard, you will succeed.
Adverb clause of Condition
Although she is poor, she is happy.
Adverb clause of Contrast
He works harder than I do.
Adverb clause of Comparison
Classification of Adverb Clauses
| Type | Conjunction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Time | when, before, after, while | When he arrived, we left. |
| Place | where, wherever | Stay where you are. |
| Reason | because, since, as | Because it rained, we stayed home. |
| Purpose | so that, in order that | Study so that you may pass. |
| Condition | if, unless | If you work hard, you will succeed. |
| Result | so...that | He was so tired that he slept. |
| Contrast | although, though | Though poor, he is honest. |
| Comparison | than, as...as | She is taller than I am. |
| Manner | as, as if | Do as I tell you. |
Relative Pronouns Used in Clauses
Who → Person (Subject)
Whom → Person (Object)
Whose → Possession
Which → Things and animals
That → Persons and things
Example
The student who answered correctly received a prize.
The book that I bought is expensive.
Identifying Clause in Sentence
Sentence
When the rain stopped, we started our journey.
Clause 1
When the rain stopped
Dependent Clause
Clause 2
We started our journey
Independent Clause
Sentence
The boy who lives next door is my cousin.
Main Clause
The boy is my cousin.
Subordinate Clause
who lives next door
Important Conjunctions Used in Clauses
Coordinating Conjunctions
and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet
Subordinating Conjunctions
because
although
if
unless
while
since
before
after
until
where
wherever
when
whenever
as soon as
Common Examination Rules
Rule 1
Every clause must contain one subject and one finite verb.
Correct
He sings.
Incorrect
Singing beautifully.
Rule 2
A subordinate clause cannot stand alone.
Incorrect
Because he was absent.
Correct
Because he was absent, he missed the class.
Rule 3
Relative pronouns should refer clearly to their antecedent.
Correct
The man who helped me is honest.
Rule 4
Use "that" after superlatives in many standard constructions.
He is the best player that I have seen.
Rule 5
Use "which" generally for things and "who" for persons.
Correct
The girl who won the race.
The book which I bought.
Common Mistakes Made by Students
Many candidates fail to identify the subject and verb before identifying a clause.
Students often confuse phrases with clauses because both are groups of words. Always check whether a finite verb is present.
Candidates frequently treat dependent clauses as complete sentences.
Many aspirants misuse "which" and "who."
Students incorrectly use "because" and "so" together in one clause.
Incorrect:
Because he was ill, so he stayed home.
Correct:
Because he was ill, he stayed home.
or
He was ill, so he stayed home.
Candidates often identify adjective clauses as noun clauses.
Many students ignore conjunctions such as although, unless, until, because, whenever, which often indicate the beginning of a subordinate clause.
Previous Year Trend Analysis (JKSSB & SSC)
Analysis of previous JKSSB and SSC English papers shows that direct questions on the definition of clauses are relatively uncommon. Instead, clauses are tested through sentence correction, error detection, sentence improvement, active-passive voice, direct-indirect speech, and identifying relative pronouns. SSC frequently asks candidates to identify the correct conjunction introducing a subordinate clause and to distinguish between noun, adjective, and adverb clauses. JKSSB papers have also included questions involving relative pronouns such as who, which, and that, as well as identifying dependent and independent clauses within a sentence. Therefore, mastering clause identification and conjunction usage is more valuable than memorizing definitions alone.
Model MCQs for Competitive Exams
1. A clause always contains:
A. Only a noun
B. Only a verb
C. A subject and a finite verb
D. Only an adjective
Answer: C
2. Which of the following is an Independent Clause?
A. Because he was late
B. If you work hard
C. She passed the examination
D. When the bell rang
Answer: C
3. Identify the Dependent Clause.
A. The train arrived
B. He is honest
C. Although she was tired
D. Birds fly
Answer: C
4. "What you said" is a
A. Phrase
B. Noun Clause
C. Adverb Clause
D. Main Clause
Answer: B
5. In the sentence "The boy who won the race is my cousin", "who won the race" is
A. Noun Clause
B. Independent Clause
C. Adjective Clause
D. Adverb Clause
Answer: C
6. Which clause modifies a noun?
A. Noun Clause
B. Adjective Clause
C. Adverb Clause
D. Main Clause
Answer: B
7. Which conjunction introduces a clause of condition?
A. Because
B. If
C. Although
D. Since
Answer: B
8. "Because he was ill" is
A. Independent Clause
B. Noun Clause
C. Dependent Clause
D. Phrase
Answer: C
9. Which sentence contains an Adverb Clause?
A. I know that he is honest.
B. The man who came yesterday is my uncle.
C. We stayed inside because it was raining.
D. Honesty is the best policy.
Answer: C
10. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Because he was ill.
B. If you study.
C. Although she was tired.
D. Although she was tired, she completed her work.
Answer: D
Statement-Based MCQs
11. Consider the following statements:
Every clause contains a subject and a finite verb.
A phrase contains a finite verb.
An independent clause can stand alone.
A dependent clause expresses a complete thought independently.
Choose the correct answer.
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: A
12. Consider the following statements about adjective clauses:
They modify nouns or pronouns.
They are introduced by relative pronouns.
They function as adverbs.
They answer questions like "Which?" or "Whose?"
Choose the correct answer.
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All four
Answer: A
Home Academy Exam Tips
Always locate the finite verb first, then identify the subject. Next, check whether the clause expresses a complete idea independently. Finally, determine its function in the sentence: if it acts like a noun, it is a noun clause; if it describes a noun, it is an adjective clause; if it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by showing time, reason, condition, place, purpose, result, comparison, or contrast, it is an adverb clause.
Quick Revision
A clause always contains a subject and a finite verb. Clauses are of two broad types: Independent (Main) Clause and Dependent (Subordinate) Clause. Subordinate clauses are classified into Noun Clauses, Adjective (Relative) Clauses, and Adverb Clauses. In competitive examinations, most questions focus on identifying the type of clause, choosing the correct conjunction or relative pronoun, and correcting grammatical errors involving subordinate clauses rather than recalling definitions alone. These concepts are highly important for JKSSB, SSC, Banking, Railway, Police, and other competitive examinations.