Clauses (उपवाक्य)

Clauses (उपवाक्य)

A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate (verb).

• Example:
  • I went home.
    • I = subject
    • went home = predicate (verb + object)

Note: Every sentence has at least one clause.

Types of Clauses

Clauses are mainly of two types:

Example of both together:
I went to bed because I was tired.

• Main clause: I went to bed.
• Subordinate clause: because I was tired.

Types of Subordinate Clauses

1. Noun Clause (संज्ञा उपवाक्य)
   • Acts as a noun in the sentence (subject, object, etc.)
   • Words used: that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever
   • Example:
     • I know that he is honest.
       • that he is honest = noun clause acting as object
2. Adjective Clause / Relative Clause (विशेषण उपवाक्य / सम्बंधवाचक उपवाक्य)
   • Acts like an adjective – describes a noun
   • Words used: who, whom, whose, which, that
   • Example:
     • The boy who is singing is my brother.
       • who is singing = adjective clause describing “the boy”
3. Adverb Clause (क्रिया विशेषण उपवाक्य)
   • Acts like an adverb – tells time, reason, condition, manner, place
   • Words used: when, while, because, if, since, although
   • Example:
     • I stayed at home because it was raining.
       • because it was raining = adverb clause explaining reason

Tips to Identify Clauses

1. Find the subject + verb combination.
2. Check if it makes sense alone:
   • If yes → Main clause
   • If no → Subordinate clause
3. Look at the starting word: because, if, that, who, which, etc.

Visual Chart

Sentence: I am happy because I passed the exam.

                 ┌─────────────── Main Clause ────────────────┐
                 │              I am happy                     │
                 └────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                               ↓
                 ┌──────── Subordinate Clause ─────────┐
                 │         because I passed the exam   │
                 └─────────────────────────────────────┘

✅ Quick Rules

1. A clause must have a subject and a verb.
2. Main clause can stand alone.
3. Subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it depends on the main clause.
4. Subordinate clauses can act as noun, adjective, or adverb in the sentence.

For More Grammer Topics –Click