Clauses and Sentences

english hum-1109 Hum-1109 Technical English

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Part 1: Adverbial Clauses (Most Frequent)

Definition: A dependent clause that functions as an adverb. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It answers: When? Where? Why? How? Under what condition?,

The Big Shortcut: It always begins with a Subordinating Conjunction (e.g., because, although, if, when).

Type 1: Adverbial Clause of Time

• Question: When?
• Conjunctions: when, whenever, while, after, before, since, until, as soon as, no sooner…than.,
• Source Examples:
  • I will call you when I reach home.
  • After the rain stopped, we went out.
• PYQ Practice:
  • (2024 CSE): I will let you know… (Adv. clause of time) $\to$ …when I reach home.
  • (2022): I met Ahsan… (Adv. clause of time) $\to$ …when I was walking in the park.
  • (2020): …, there will be good discipline. (Adv. clause of time) $\to$ When the new principal arrives…
  • (2019): He came… (Adv. clause of time) $\to$ …when everyone was sleeping.
  • (2018): He laid down his life… (Adv. clause of time) $\to$ …when the country needed him most.

Type 2: Adverbial Clause of Cause / Reason

• Question: Why?
• Conjunctions: because, since, as.,
• Source Examples:
  • She was late because the bus broke down.
  • Since it was raining, we stayed inside.
• PYQ Practice:
  • (2023): …, most people use electric fans. (Adv. clause of reason) $\to$ Because the weather is hot…
  • (2022): Although it was raining heavily, we camped there. (Note: The prompt asks for “Reason” in some versions, but the sentence structure “Although” implies Concession. If the prompt is ”…, we camped there (Reason)”, answer: As we loved adventure, we camped there.)
  • (2021): …, he can do well in exam. (Adv. clause of reason) $\to$ Since he studies regularly…
  • (2020): I spoke to her mother… (Adv. clause of cause) $\to$ …because she was worried about her daughter.
  • (2018): He cannot work properly… (Adv. clause of cause) $\to$ …because he is suffering from fever.

Type 3: Adverbial Clause of Condition

• Question: Under what condition?
• Conjunctions: if, unless, provided that, in case.,
• Source Examples:
  • If it rains, we will not go out.
  • You will miss the bus unless you hurry.
• PYQ Practice:
  • (2024 CSE): …, your parents will be happy. (Adv. clause of condition) $\to$ If you study well…
  • (2023): I will not come… (Adv. clause of condition) $\to$ …unless you invite me properly.
  • (2022): I would have told him the matter… (Adv. clause of condition) $\to$ …if he had asked me about it.
  • (2019): …, I would go there. (Adv. clause of condition) $\to$ If it rained heavily…
  • (2018): …, I would accept the proposal. (Adv. clause of condition) $\to$ If you helped me…

Type 4: Adverbial Clause of Concession

• Question: Despite what?
• Conjunctions: though, although, even if, even though.,
• Source Examples:
  • Although it was raining, they went out.
  • She went to school even if she was sick.
• PYQ Practice:
  • (2021): …, he is not miserly. (Adv. clause of concession) $\to$ Although he is poor…

Type 5: Adverbial Clause of Purpose

• Question: For what purpose?
• Conjunctions: so that, in order that, lest.,
• Source Examples:
  • She spoke loudly so that everyone could hear.
  • Hurry up lest you should miss the train.
• PYQ Practice:
  • (2021): He studies hard… (Adv. clause of purpose) $\to$ …so that he can pass the examination.

Other Adverbial Types (Less Common in PYQs)

• Place: where, wherever. (Example: Go where you like.),
• Manner: as, as if. (Example: He speaks as his father does.)
• Extent: (Appeared in 2023): …, the man is innocent. (Adv. clause of extent) $\to$ As far as I know…

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Part 2: Noun Clauses

Definition: A clause that acts exactly like a Noun. It can be the Subject, Object, or Complement of a sentence. Connectors: that, what, who, whom, whose, which, why, where, when, how, if, whether.,

• The “IT” Test: If you can replace the clause with the word “IT” or “SOMETHING” and the sentence still makes grammatical sense, it is a Noun Clause. [Expert Comment]

PYQ Practice (Completing Noun Clauses)

• (2024 CSE): He explained… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what had happened there.
• (2024 CSE): I know nothing except… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …that he is honest.
• (2023): No one knows… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what will happen tomorrow.
• (2023): I wonder… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …whether he will come.
• (2022): I have no knowledge of… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what happened there last night.
• (2022): The important matter is… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …that we must finish this project.
• (2021): …inspires us. (Noun Clause as Subject) $\to$ What we learn from books…
• (2021): We entitle the novel… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what he wrote last year.
• (2020): I know nothing of… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what happened at the meeting.
• (2019): I do not know… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what time the meeting will start.
• (2019): The news… surprised us all. (Noun Clause) $\to$ …that he died…
• (2018): …is uncertain. (Noun Clause as Subject) $\to$ Whether he comes or not…
• (2018): It depends on… (Noun Clause) $\to$ …what you decide.
• (2016): We call him… (Noun clause) $\to$ …whatever he prefers to be called.
• (2016): …instigates a society. (Noun clause) $\to$ What the politician says…

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Part 3: Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses)

Definition: A clause that acts like an Adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun that comes immediately before it. Connectors: who, whom, whose, which, that.

• Rule: The clause must follow the “Antecedent” (the noun being described).
  • The man who called me is my uncle. (Modifies ‘man’). [Expert Comment]

PYQ Practice (Completing Adjective Clauses)

• (2024 CSE): This is a grammar book… (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which is very useful.
• (2024 CSE): Mr. Karim’s car… has broken down. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which he bought yesterday…
• (2023): The book… has been replaced. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which was damaged…
• (2023): This is the man… (Adj Clause) $\to$ …who helped me yesterday.
• (2022): This is the book… (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which I bought yesterday.
• (2021): Rakib, …, is gentle. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …who is my friend…
• (2020): The house… is small. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which stands at the corner…
• (2019): The news… is false. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which we heard yesterday…
• (2018): I know the time… (Adj Clause) $\to$ …when you came. (Modifies ‘time’)
• (2018): I went to your father… (Adj Clause) $\to$ …who was ill.
• (2016): Nila, …, works in a company. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …who graduated last year…
• (2016): Wealth and men, …, are essential for a country. (Adj Clause) $\to$ …which are valuable resources…

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Expert Comments & Helpful Tips

1. How to tell Noun Clause vs. Adjective Clause?

   • Adjective Clause: Always has a noun right before the connector.
     • I know the time [when he will come]. (Modifies ‘time’).
   • Noun Clause: Usually follows a verb or preposition. It does not describe a noun.
     • I know [when he will come]. (Object of ‘know’).

2. The “Comma” Rule for Adjective Clauses:

   • If the PYQ has commas (e.g., Rakib, …, is gentle), use a Non-defining relative clause. Start with who (for people) or which (for things). Do not use ‘that’.
   • Correct: Rakib, who is my friend, is gentle.

3. Adverbial Clause Hints:

   • Look for the “Cheat words” in the prompt.
   • If the prompt says “(Adv. clause of Condition)”, start your answer with If or Unless.
   • If it says “(Adv. clause of Reason)”, start with Because or As.
   • If it says “(Adv. clause of Purpose)”, use so that + can/could. (e.g., …so that he can pass).

Study Strategy:

1. Memorize the Conjunctions list in Part 1.
2. Practice the 2024 CSE and 2023 questions above. They cover all three types (Noun, Adj, Adv) and are the most recent standard.