Noun Clause | Adjective Clause

A Clause is like a sentence having a subject and a predicate. But unlike a sentence, which has a finite verb, a clause has more than one finite verb. A clause is divided into two parts- Principal clause and Subordinate Clause.
If you work hard, you shall get success.
Principal/Main Clause: You Shall get success. Subordinate Clause: If you work hard.
Clauses are of three types
Noun Clause
Adjective Clause
Adverb Clause

Noun Clause:

A Noun Clause is a subordinate clause that does the work of a noun.
Ex: What he said was true/Listen to what I say.

Adjective Clause:

A subordinate clause that begins with a relative pronoun- who, whom, whose, which, that etc.
Ex: I know the boy who came here.

Adverb Clause:

A subordinate clause that is introduced by conjunction like after, if, since, till, when , where, unless etc.
Ex: He ran away when he saw the police.

Functions of Noun Clause 1. Subject of a Verb: Ex: When I shall come is uncertain. 2. Object of a Verb: Ex: I know where he lives. 3. Object of a Preposition: Ex: Please listen to what I say. 4. Complement of a Verb: Ex: Life is what we make it. 5. In apposition to the Noun: Ex: There is a rumour that he won the lottery. 6. In apposition to 'it': Ex: It seems that he is well today.

Adjective Clause A subordinate clause that begins with a relative pronoun- who, whom, whose, which, that, as etc. is called adjective clause. Examples

He is a boy who is lazy.
It is a place where tourists often come.
I could not understand the question that you asked.
This is the same book as I gave you.
The time when the bus leaves is not known.
I know Mohan whose pen is lost.
This is the book which belongs to me.

Note: Adjective clauses are always followed by a noun or pronoun. This is how you can differentiate an adjective clause from a noun clause.

Ex:a) I know where he lives. (Noun clause)

b)I know the place where he lives. (Adjective Clause)

Adverb Clause

Functions of Adverb Clause

1. Adverb Clause of Time Ex: He came when it was raining. 2. Adverb clause of place Ex: Put it where you can find it. 3. Adverb clause of reason Ex: I could not go to school because I was sick. 4. Adverb clause of purpose Ex: John works hard so that he qualifies for the exam. 5. Adverb Clause of result or effect. Ex: He is so weak that he cannot walk. 6. Adverb Claus of Condition Ex: The match will not be held if it rains. 7. Adverb Clause of concession or contrast Ex. He is happy though he is poor.