FALAKATA HIGH

SCHOOL (H. S.)

FALAKATA ALIPURDUAR- 735211

ENGLISH PROJECT WORK

Class – X

Session: 2025 - 2026

TOPIC: CLAUSES AND THEIR

CLASSIFICATION

NAME_________________________________________________
CLASS _________________SECTION ____________________
ROLL NO______________________________________________

__________________________________ ___________________________________
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and deep
gratitude to [Teacher's Name], our English teacher, for
providing me with the golden opportunity to work on this
enriching project on the topic of 'Clauses and Their
Classification'. Through this project, I have gained valuable
insights into the concept of clauses, their types, and their
essential role in constructing meaningful and grammatically
correct sentences.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to my

parents and my sister for their unwavering support,
encouragement, and guidance throughout the preparation of
this project. Their constant motivation has been invaluable
in helping me understand the topic thoroughly and complete
my work successfully.

Without their encouragement and support, I would not

have been able to achieve this level of understanding and
completeness.

(Your signature)

Date:
 CONTENTS
Sl. No. Topic Page No.
1. Acknowledgement 1
2. Definition of a Clause 2
3. Types of Clauses 3
4. Explanation of Different Clauses with Examples 4
5. Differences Between Clauses and Phrases 5
6. Importance of Clauses 6
7. Differences Between Coordinate Clause and Coordinating Conjunction 7
8. Identifying Clauses (Examples) 8
9. Analysis of Sentences 9
10. Conclusion 10
11. References 11
 DEFINITION OF A CLAUSE
"A Clause is a group of words which forms part of a sentence and contains
a subject and a predicate." - Wren & Martin.

"A clause is a grammatical unit which forms a sentence or part of a

sentence and always contains a subject and a verb."- P.C. Das.

Explanation:
A clause is an important unit in English grammar, which can either be a
full sentence on its own or part of a longer sentence. A clause always has a
subject and a predicate. When the clause is capable of standing alone, it is called
an Independent Clause. When it cannot express a complete thought by itself and
needs another clause to complete the meaning, it is called a Dependent or
Subordinate Clause.

Examples:
That she won the award was no surprise.
The woman, whose car was stolen, is very upset.
While I was studying, my phone rang.

Note: The bold parts of the sentences are main or independent clauses,
and the underlined parts are subordinate clauses.

TYPES OF CLAUSES
Clauses are primarily divided into two broad categories:

1. Independent Clause: An Independent Clause is a group of words that

contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand
alone as a sentence.

Example: I remember what he wanted to say.

2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause): A Dependent or

Subordinate Clause is one which cannot stand alone and depends on the main
clause to complete its meaning.
Example: When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.

Dependent clauses are further classified into 3 types:

•Noun Clause: Acts as a noun in the sentence.

Example: What he said was interesting.
• Adjective Clause (Relative Clause): Modifies a noun or pronoun.
Example: The book, that you lent me, is fascinating.
• Adverbial Clause: Modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by
answering questions like when, where, why, how, to what extent.
Example: I stayed at home because it was raining.
 EXPLANATION OF DIFFERENT CLAUSES
WITH EXAMPLES
1. Independent Clause: An Independent Clause is a group of words that
contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand
alone as a sentence.

Example: She will go to school if it does not rain.

2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause): A Dependent or Subordinate

Clause is one which cannot stand alone and depends on the main clause to
complete its meaning.

Example: She will go to school if it does not rain.

3. Coordinate Clause: A coordinate clause is one of two or more independent
clauses joined together, usually by a coordinating conjunction. Each
coordinate clause can stand alone as a sentence.
Example: The rain stopped, and the sun came out.

Dependent clauses are of three types:

4. Noun Clause: A Noun Clause is a subordinate clause which acts as a noun in

the sentence, functioning as a subject, object, or complement.

Example: What he said was interesting.

5. Adjective Clause (Relative Clause): An Adjective Clause is a subordinate

clause that modifies a noun or pronoun and is usually introduced by relative
pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, or that.

Example: The book that you lent me is fascinating.

6. Adverbial Clause: An Adverbial Clause is a subordinate clause that acts as an

adverb and provides information about time, place, reason, condition,
manner, or result.

Example: I stayed at home because it was raining.

 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLAUSES
AND PHRASES
CLAUSES PHRASES
A clause is a group of words that A phrase is a group of words that does
contains both a subject and a finite not contain both a subject and a
verb (predicate). predicate.
A clause can sometimes stand alone A phrase can never stand alone as a
as a complete sentence (if it is an sentence; it only acts as a part of
independent clause). speech in a sentence.
Clauses can express a complete
idea (independent clause) or an Phrases cannot express a complete
incomplete idea (dependent idea on their own.
clause).
Clauses are divided into Phrases are divided into types like
Independent Clauses and Noun Phrases, Adjective Phrases,
Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses. Adverb Phrases, Prepositional
Phrases, and Verb Phrases.
Example: Although it was raining,
he went to school. Example: In the evening.
Independent Clause = He went to (Adverbial Phrase)
school. Example: In front of.
Dependent Clause = Although it (Prepositional Phrase)
was raining

IMPORTANCE OF CLAUSES
Clauses form the foundation of sentence construction in the English
language. Understanding and mastering the use of clauses enables speakers
and writers to communicate ideas more precisely, clearly, and effectively.

• A strong knowledge of clauses helps learners to:

• Construct both simple and complex sentences with accuracy and
variety.
• Express thoughts in a clear, logical, and meaningful way.
• Establish smooth and coherent connections between ideas in writing.
• Avoid common grammatical mistakes, such as sentence fragments and
run-on sentences.

In short, the ability to identify and apply different types of clauses allows
learners to enhance both their spoken and written communication. Whether
writing essays, speaking in formal situations, or crafting creative stories,
proper command of clauses helps convey ideas with confidence, clarity, and
correctness.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COORDINATE
CLAUSE AND COORDINATING CONJUNCTION
• Coordinate Clause: A coordinate clause is one of two or more independent
clauses joined together, usually by a coordinating conjunction. Each
coordinate clause can stand alone as a sentence.

Example: The rain stopped, and the sun came out.

Here, "The rain stopped" and "the sun came out" are both
coordinate clauses.

• Coordinating Conjunction: A coordinating conjunction is a word used to

connect clauses, words, or phrases of equal grammatical rank. The most
common coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
(acronym: FANBOYS).

Example: I wanted to go out, but it started to rain.

IDENTIFYING CLAUSES
1. When he returned home, he brought sweet packets for the children.
Principal Clause: He brought sweet packets for the children.
Subordinate Clause: When he returned home (Adverbial Clause)

2. Though he worked hard, he failed in the exam.

Principal Clause: He failed in the exam.
Subordinate Clause: Though he worked hard (Adverbial Clause)
3. If you want to do something in life, you need to exert the best effort in life.
Principal Clause: You need to exert the best effort in life.
Subordinate Clause: If you want to do something in life (Adverbial
Clause)
4. He couldn’t tell me when he arrived at the station.
Principal Clause: He couldn’t tell me.
Subordinate Clause: When he arrived at the station (Noun Clause)

5. That he is a criminal is not hidden to anybody.

Principal Clause: (It) is not hidden to anybody.
Subordinate Clause: That he is a criminal (Noun Clause)

6. The man who is sitting under a tree is a famous lawyer.

Principal Clause: The man is a famous lawyer.
Subordinate Clause: Who is sitting under a tree (Adjective Clause)

7. This is the place where he was born.

Principal Clause: This is the place.
Subordinate Clause: Where he was born (Adjective Clause)
8. He explained how he invented the thermometer.
Principal Clause: He explained.
Subordinate Clause: How he invented the thermometer (Noun Clause)

9. A stone that is rolling will never gather moss.

Principal Clause: A stone will never gather moss.
Subordinate Clause: That is rolling (Adjective Clause)
10. Speak whatever you know about the Taj Mahal.
Principal Clause: Speak.
Subordinate Clause: Whatever you know about the Taj Mahal (Noun
Clause)

ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES
1. The doctor advised me that I should not eat potatoes.
• Independent Clause: The doctor advised me.
• Dependent Clause (Noun Clause): that I should not eat potatoes.

2. He knocked at my door when I was doing my home task which I had to

submit to my class teacher the next day.
• Independent Clause: He knocked at my door.
• Dependent Clause 1 (Adverbial Clause): when I was doing my home
task. (shows time)
• Dependent Clause 2 (Adjective Clause): which I had to submit to my
class teacher the next day. (describes "task")

3. He spoke what he knew from his experience which he had

encountered in course of his journey.
• Independent Clause: He spoke.
• Dependent Clause 1 (Noun Clause): what he knew from his
experience. (acts as the object of "spoke")
• Dependent Clause 2 (Adjective Clause): which he had encountered in
course of his journey. (describes "experience")

4. He shouted at the children who were playing peacefully in the garden.

• Independent Clause: He shouted at the children.
• Dependent Clause (Adjective Clause): who were playing peacefully in
the garden. (describes "children")

5. The lady, who was taking our class, was an ex-principal of Techno-
India.
• Independent Clause: The lady was an ex-principal of Techno-India.
• Dependent Clause (Adjective Clause): who was taking our class.
(describes "lady")
6. He told us how he completed his assignment which was given to him in
the training period.
• Independent Clause: He told us.
• Dependent Clause 1 (Noun Clause): how he completed his
assignment. (acts as the object of "told")
• Dependent Clause 2 (Adjective Clause): which was given to him in the
training period. (describes "assignment")

❖ Summary: All six sentences are complex sentences because they contain at
least one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The
dependent clauses function either as noun clauses, adjective clauses, or
adverbial clauses, helping to complete the meaning of the sentence.
 CONCLUSION

Mastering clauses is an essential part of learning

English grammar, as clauses form the backbone of all
sentence construction. Whether a sentence is simple,
compound, or complex, its meaning depends on the correct
use of clauses. Understanding the types and functions of
clauses not only strengthens a learner’s grammatical
knowledge but also enhances writing, reading
comprehension, and speaking abilities.

A clear command over clauses allows students to

express ideas with accuracy, connect thoughts logically, and
communicate with greater confidence and clarity. Therefore,
learning about clauses is not just a grammar exercise — it is
a vital step toward mastering the art of effective
communication.
 REFERENCE

1. Highlights of English, For Class 9 & 10

By P.K. Mukherjee
Publisher: DEY BOOK CONCERN

2. A Treasure Trove For English Learners,

By D. P. Bhattacharya.
Publisher: New Light

3. Applied English Grammar And Composition.

P. C. Das.
Publisher: NCBA

4. Wren & Martin: High School English Grammar and Composition.

S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi

5. EnglishGrammar.org — Online Grammar Guide:

https://www.englishgrammar.org

6. Grammarly Handbook — Grammar Resource:

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/category/handbook/