Clauses

    A group of words in a sentence, which contains a subject and a predicate within the group, is called a clause.

Eg.:-

When I went to my village I met my school mates.

Today I have seen the film which was released yesterday.

This is my favorite dress which I prefer to wear during festive occasions.

    In the above sentences there are two parts. In each part there is a subject and a predicate.

    In short a clause contains a subject and a predicate, but the phrase does not contain a subject and a predicate. But both the phrase and a clause form part of a sentence.

We have already seen that a clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a predicate.

I went to my village. (one clause)

I met my school mate at the village. (one clause)

When I went to my village, I met my school mates. (two clauses)

    The sentence (1) as well as (2) there is a subject and a predicate and the clause stands as complete sentence.

    Such clauses are called as main clauses. In sentence (3) there are two clauses.

When I went to my village is a clause and there is a subject and a predicate.

    The other clause in the sentence is --------------------- I met my school mates.

    The first noted clause does not stand independently as a sentence. But the second noted clause stands independently as a sentence.

    As such the first noted clause is a subordinate clause and the second noted clause is a main clause.

One more example is given below to differentiate a Main clause and a subordinate clause.

I went to the market where I purchased fruits.

I went to the market - Main clause

where I purchased fruits - Subordinate clause.     Subordinate clauses in a sentence are divided, on the basis of the functions as, 1. Noun clause

2. Adjective clause

3. Adverb clause.

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