##  [Using clauses as nouns, adjectives and adverbs](/hypergrammar-2/using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

If a [clause](building-clauses) can stand alone as a [sentence](subject-and-predicate#sentence), it is an <a id="independentclause">independent clause</a>, as in the following example:

**Independent clause** the Prime Minister is in OttawaSome clauses, however, cannot stand alone as sentences: in this case, they are <a id="dependentclauses">dependent clauses</a> or <a id="subordinateclauses">subordinate clauses</a>. Consider the same clause preceded by the [subordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#sbrdconj) *when*:

**Dependent clause** when the Prime Minister is in OttawaIn this case, the clause cannot stand alone as a sentence since the [conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction) *when* suggests that the clause is providing an explanation for something. As this dependent clause answers the question *when?* just like an [adverb](what-is-an-adverb#whatisadv) does, it is called a <a id="dependentadverbclause">dependent adverb clause</a> (or simply an adverb clause as adverb clauses are always dependent clauses). Note that this clause can replace the adverb *tomorrow* in the following example:

**Adverb** The committee will meet *tomorrow*. **Adverb clause** The committee will meet *when the Prime Minister is in Ottawa*.Dependent clauses may function as adverbs as well as [nouns](what-is-a-noun#noun) and [adjectives](what-is-an-adjective#adjective).

## Noun clauses

A <a id="nounclause">noun clause</a> takes the place of a noun in another clause or [phrase](building-phrases#bldphr). A noun clause may act as the [subject](subject-and-predicate#subject) or [object](objects-and-complements#objects) of a [verb](what-is-a-verb#whatisverb), or as the object of a [preposition](what-is-a-preposition#whatispreposit), answering the questions *who(m)?* or *what?* Consider the following examples:

**Noun** I know *Latin*. **Noun clause** I know *that Latin is no longer spoken as a native language*.In the first example, the noun *Latin* acts as the [direct object](objects-and-complements#directobject) of the verb *know*. In the second example, the entire clause *that Latin . . .* is the direct object.

Noun clauses may function as [indirect questions](the-purpose-of-a-sentence):

**Noun** Their *destination* is unknown. **Noun clause** *Where they are going* is unknown.The question *where are they going?* with a slight change in word order becomes a noun clause and acts as the subject of the verb *is*.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| about *what you bought at the mall* | This noun clause is the object of the preposition *about* and answers the question *about what?* |
| *Whoever broke the vase* will have to pay for it. | This noun clause is the subject of the compound verb *will have to pay* and answers the question *who will have to pay?* |
| The Toronto fans hope *that the Blue Jays will win again*. | This noun clause is the object of the verb *hope* and answers the question *what do the fans hope?* |

## Adjective clauses

An <a id="adjectiveclause">adjective clause</a> is a dependent clause that takes the place of an adjective in another clause or phrase. Like an adjective, an adjective clause modifies a noun or [pronoun](what-is-a-pronoun#whatispronoun), answering questions such as *which?* or *what kind of?* Consider the following examples:

**Adjective** the *red* coat **Adjective clause** the coat *that I bought yesterday*Both the adjective *red* (in the first example) and the dependent clause *that I bought yesterday* (in the second example) modify the noun *coat*. Note that an adjective clause generally follows the noun or pronoun it modifies, while an adjective usually precedes it.

In formal writing, adjective clauses begin with the [relative pronouns](what-is-a-pronoun#relpron) *who(m)*, *that* or *which*. In informal writing or speech, you may omit the relative pronoun when it is not the subject of the adjective clause.

**Informal** The books people read were mainly religious. **Formal** The books *that* people read were mainly religious.**Informal** Some firefighters never meet the people they save. **Formal** Some firefighters never meet the people *whom* they save. | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| the meat *that they ate* was tainted | This adjective clause modifies the noun *meat* and answers the question *which meat?* |
| about the movie *that made him cry* | This adjective clause modifies the noun *meat* and answers the question *which meat?* |
| they are searching for the one *who borrowed the book* | This adjective clause modifies the pronoun *one* and answers the question *which one?* |
| Did I tell you about the author *whom I met*? | This adjective clause modifies the noun *author* and answers the question *which author?* |

## Adverb clauses

An <a id="adverbclause">adverb clause</a> is a dependent clause that takes the place of an adverb in another clause or phrase. An adverb clause answers questions such as *when?*, *where?*, *why?*, *with what goal/result?* and *under what conditions?*

Note that an adverb clause may replace an adverb, as in the following example:

**Adverb** The premier gave a speech *here*. **Adverb clause** The premier gave a speech *where the workers were striking*.Subordinating conjunctions such as *because*, *when(ever)*, *where(ever)*, *since*, *after* and *so that* introduce adverb clauses. Note that a dependent adverb clause can never stand alone as a complete sentence:

**Independent clause** they left the locker room **Dependent adverb clause** after they left the locker roomThe first example may stand alone as a sentence, but the second cannot—the reader will ask *what happened after they left the locker room?* Here are some more examples of adverb clauses expressing the relationships of cause, effect, space, time and condition:

**Cause** Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle *because the uncle had murdered his father*.The adverb clause answers the question *why?*

**Effect** Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle *so that his father’s murder would be avenged*.The adverb clause answers the question *with what goal/result?*

**Time** *After Hamlet’s uncle Claudius married his mother*, Hamlet wanted to kill him.The adverb clause answers the question *when?* Note the change in word order—an adverb clause can often appear either before or after the main clause of the sentence.

**Place** *Where the whole Danish court was assembled*, Hamlet ordered a play in an attempt to prove his uncle’s guilt.The adverb clause answers the question *where?*

**Condition** *If she arrives on time*, she will see the play.The adverb clause answers the question *under what conditions?*

##  Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil HyperGrammar 2

© Département d’anglais, Faculté des arts, Université d’Ottawa
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