A dependent clause may function as a noun, an adjective or an adverb in sentence. On the basis of their function in a sentence, there are following types of subordinate clause:

1. The Noun Clase
2. The Adjective / Relative Clause
3. The Adverb Clause

Let us learn about all the types of subordinate clause with the help of examples.

Noun Clause

A dependent clause that functions as a noun in a sentence is called noun clause. A noun clause performs same function like a noun in a sentence.

For Example

What he did made a problem for his family.

In above sentence the clause what he did functions as a noun, hence it is a noun clause.

A noun clause works as a noun that acts as a subject, object, or predicate in a sentence. A noun clause starts with words - that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, whomever.

Let us see some sentences :

What you said made me laugh.
(Here noun clause is acting as a subject)

He knows that he will pass the test.
(Here noun clause is acting as an object)

Now I realize what he would have thought.
(Here noun clause is acting as an object)

Moving on to some more types of subordinate clause...

Adjective Clause

A dependent clause that functions as an adjective in a sentence is called adjective clause.

An adjective clause works like adjective in a sentence. The function of an adjective is to modify (describe) a noun or a pronoun. Similarly a noun clause modifies a noun or a pronoun.

For Example

He wears a shirt which looks nice.

The clause which looks nice in above sentence is an adjective clause because it modifies noun shirt in the sentence.

It is important to note that An adjective clause always precedes the noun it modifies.

For example

I met the boy who had helped me.
An apple that smells bad is rotten.
The book which I like is helpful in preparation for test.

Restrictive and Non restrictive Clauses

Adjective (relative) clauses can be restrictive clause or nonrestrictive clause.

A restrictive clause limits the meaning of preceding noun or pronoun.

A nonrestrictive clause tells us something about preceding noun or pronoun but does not limit the meaning of preceding noun or pronoun.

Let us take an example

• The student in the class who studied a lot passed the test.
• The student in the class, who had attended all the lectures, passed the test.

In the first sentence the clause who studied a lot restrict information to preceding noun(student), it means that there is only one student in the class who studied a lot, hence it is a restrictive clause.

In the second sentence the clause who had attended all the lectures gives us information about preceding noun but does not limit this information to the preceding noun. It means there can be several other students in the class who had attended all the lectures, hence it is an non-restrictive clause.

A comma is always used before a restrictive clause in a sentence and also after nonrestrictive clause if it is within a main clause.

That is usually used to introduce a restrictive clause while which is used to introduce a nonrestrictive clause.

For Example

The table that costs $ 100 is made of steel.
(this sentence contains a restrictive clause)

The table, which costs $ 100, is made of steel.
(this is an example of an nonrestrictive clause)

Adverb Clause

A dependent clause that functions as an adverb in a sentence is called adverb clause.

An adverb clause like an adverb modifies a verb, adjective clause or other adverb clause in a sentence.

It modifies(describes) the situation in main clause in terms of time, frequency (how often), cause and effect, contrast, condition, intensity (to what extent).

The subordinating conjunctions used for adverb clauses are as follows.

Subordinating conjunctions showing Time: when, whenever, since, until, before, after, while, as, by the time, as soon as

For example : Don't go before he comes.
Here Adverbial Clause 'before he comes' has subordinating conjuction showing time.

Subordinating conjunctions showing Cause and effect: because, since, now that, as long as, so, so that,

For example : He takes medicine because he is ill.
Here Adverbial Clause 'because he is ill' has subordinating conjuction showing cause and effect.

Subordinating conjunctions showing Contrast: although, even, whereas, while, though

For example : Although he tried a lot, he couldn't climb up the tree.
Adverbial Clause - Although he tried a lot has subordinating conjuction showing contrast.

Subordinating conjunctions showing Condition: if, unless, only if, whether or not, even if, providing or provided that, in case

For example : Unless you study for the test, you can't pass it.
Adverbial Clause - Unless you study for the test has subordinating conjuction showing condition.