Order of words and clauses | English Grammar Class 8 PDF Download

Clauses

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Clauses are the building blocks of sentences, and they can express a complete thought or an incomplete thought. Depending on their function in a sentence, clauses can be categorized into different types, such as noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses.
Example:

• This is the house where I was born.
• Clauses are of three kinds.

Noun Clauses

A noun clause functions as a noun within a sentence. It can act as a subject, object, or complement. Noun clauses are introduced by specific connectives, including pronouns, adverbs, and conjunctions.

Let's explore each type of connective in detail:

• Pronouns: Noun clauses can be introduced by pronouns such as who, what, which, whom, and whose. These pronouns help specify the noun clause within the sentence.
• Adverbs: Adverbs like when, where, why, and how can also introduce noun clauses. These adverbs provide additional information about the action or situation described in the clause.
• Conjunctions: Noun clauses can be introduced by conjunctions such as that, whether, and if. These conjunctions link the noun clause to the main clause, indicating the relationship between them.

Examples of Noun Clauses:

• Pronouns:
  • I know what he wants.
• Adverbs:
  • I asked him where he was going.
  • I don’t know why he tells lies.
• Conjunctions:
  • I think that Shreya is speaking the truth.
  • I asked her whether she wanted to see a film.
  • That he is lazy is known to all.

Uses of Noun Clauses:

• As a Subject: Noun clauses can be used as the subject of a sentence.
• As a Complement: Noun clauses can function as complements, providing additional information about the subject or object.
• In Apposition: Noun clauses can be used in apposition, providing further clarification or information.

Examples:

• As a Subject:
  • What you heard is not the truth.
  • Whether she will come is not known.
• As a Complement:
  • I think that he is very cunning.
  • I do not know where he lives.
• In Apposition:
  • There is a rumor that the elections will be called off.
  • It is certain that Mohit will top the competition.

Adverb Clauses

The adverb clause functions as an adverb, i.e, it modifies verbs. Therefore an adverb clause may appear anywhere in a sentence. They tell why, where, under what conditions, or to what degree the action occurred or situation existed. Unlike adjective clauses, they are frequently movable within the sentence. Example: Because it is raining hard, all of us will stay at home. Adverb clauses may be classified as adverb clauses of Condition, Time, Place, Reason, Manner, Purpose etc.

• Adverbial clauses of condition: There are four types of conditionals.

• Adverbial Clauses of Time: Adverbial clauses of time are often called “time clauses’. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: when, before, until, since, than, as, the moment, till, as soon as, after
  Examples:
  • I met her when she visited India.
  • We will finish before the teachers asks for it.
  • She was washing clothes while I was watching TV.
• Adverbial Clauses of Place: Adverbial clauses of place show the time of action. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: where, wherever, whither, whence, etc.
  Examples:
  • Wherever Mary went, her lamb would follow.
  • I want to go to a place where there is no traffic.
• Adverbial Clauses of Purpose: Adverbial clauses of purpose show the purpose or the reason behind an action. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: that, so that, in order that, lest.
  Examples:
  • Look after yourself lest you fall ill.
  • Work hard so that you succeed.
• Adverbial Clauses of Reason: Adverbial clauses of reason give the reason of an action. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: since, because, for, as, that
  Examples:
  • Because he was hard of hearing, he used hearing aids.
  • Since you are leaving tomorrow, I will help you pack.
• Adverbial Clauses of Manner: Adverbial clauses of manner give the manner in which an action takes place. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: as, as…so, as if, as though
  Examples:
  • Gaurav will do as he is told.
  • I treat my pets as though they are my family.
• Adverb Clauses of Result: Adverbial clauses of result show the consequence or result of an action. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunction: that
  Note: Adverbial clause of result may be preceded by so/such in the Principal Clause.
  Examples:
  • He is so naughty that nobody wants him around.
  • He talked so well that everyone wanted to befriend him.
• Adverbial Clauses of Comparison: Adverbial clauses of comparison compare two actions or objects. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: than, as
  Examples:
  • Mini’s brother is not as kind as he is.
  • The tallest boy in the class is not taller than Rahul
• Adverbial Clauses of Contrast: Adverbial clauses of contrast show the difference between two actions or objects. These clauses are introduced by the following subordinating conjunctions: though, although, even if, however, all the same
  Examples:
  • Though she is poor, he is educated.
  • Even though he worked hard, he could not qualify for the test.

Relative Clauses

A relative clause modifies a noun or pronoun by providing extra information. Relative clauses begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that, whose). Relative clauses can either be restrictive or non-restrictive.

• Restrictive Relative Clauses: A restrictive relative clause is essential in order to complete the meaning of the main clause.
  Example:
  • This house that I was talking about.
• Non-restrictive Relative Clauses: A non-restrictive relative clause adds definition to the main clause, but is not necessary for meaning. Non-restrictive relative clauses are set off by commas.
  Example:
  • That man, with the blue coat, is my uncle.

Subject-Verb Agreement

• The subject and the verb in a sentence should agree in number and person.
• Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
• Example:
  She sings beautifully. (singular subject, singular verb)
  They sing in a choir. (plural subject, plural verb)

Order of Direct and Indirect Objects

• Direct objects receive the action of the verb directly, while indirect objects receive the action indirectly.
• The order is: subject-verb-indirect object-direct object.
• Example:
  She gave me a book. (subject-verb-indirect object-direct object)
  They bought their children new toys. (subject-verb-indirect object-direct object)

Order of Clauses

• Clauses are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb.
• Independent clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence, while dependent clauses rely on an independent clause to make sense.
• Dependent clauses usually come before or after the independent clause.
• Example:
  Although it was raining, they went for a walk. (dependent clause-independent clause)
  They went for a walk although it was raining. (independent clause-dependent clause)

Inversion

• Inversion is the reversal of the usual order of words in a sentence for emphasis or to form a question.
• Inversion can occur with auxiliary verbs, adverbs, and negative adverbs.
• Example:
  Not only did she sing, but she also danced. (inversion with adverb)
  Did you see the movie? (inversion to form a question)