Clause
A clause can act as an adjective, a noun, and an adverbial.
1. An
adjective clause usually comes after the noun it modifies and is made up of several words which, like all clauses, will include a subject
and a verb.
2. A
noun clause is a clause that plays the role of a noun.
3. An
adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjuction (such as if, when, after, before because, or although)
and usually includes a subject and a predicate.
Example of Clause
1. Adjective
Clause
e.g:
• My dog which usually refuses to go
near the water, dived in the canal to chase a water vole.
(In this example, the clause acts like
an adjective)
Compare the example above to this:
• My water-shy dog dived in the canal to chase a water vole.
(water-shy = adjective)
2. Noun
Clause
e.g:
• I cannot remember what I said last
night.
(In this example, the clause acts like a
noun)
Compare the example above to this:
• I cannot remember my speech.
(speech = noun)
3. Adverbial
Clause
e.g:
• He lost his double chin after he
gave up beer.
(In this example, the clause acts like
an adverb)
Compare the example above to this:
• He lost
his double chin recently.
(recently = adverb)
