The leading thought of a sentence is called the =principal clause=.
A clause that has the function of a noun, an adjective, or an adverb, is called a =subordinate clause=.
Select the principal clauses and the subordinate clauses in the following sentences, and state the function of each subordinate clause:—
1. They knew who did it. 2. The book which you gave me, is here. 3. I shall go when he returns.
A clause that has the function of a noun, is called a noun clause; as, He said _he knew his lesson_. How I shall reach my destination_ is the question.
1. As the object of a verb; as, He knew _what I did_. 2. As the subject of a verb; as, _What course he pursued_ is seen now. 3. As the object of a preposition; as, My friend annoyed me by _what he said_. 4. As a predicate nominative; as, The end of it all is (_that_) _he receives his choice_.
A clause that has the use or function of an adjective, is called an =adjective clause=; as, He found the book _which he lost_.
A clause that has the use or function of an adverb, is called an =adverbial clause=; as, I shall go _where they are_. He will destroy it _unless we hinder him_.
A sentence that consists of one principal clause, and one or more subordinate clauses, is called a =complex sentence=; as, I have met the person of whom you speak.
A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses, is called a =compound sentence=; as, James came home, but John remained there.
A compound sentence that is made up of complex sentences, or simple and complex sentences, is called a =compound-complex sentence=; as, We entered the building, and a man who was working there, gave us information about it.
Name the clauses in the following sentences, and state the kind and relation (if any) of each:—
1. Whilst I was thus musing, I cast my eyes towards the summit of a rock that was not far from me, where I discovered one in the habit of a shepherd, with a musical instrument in his hand.—_Addison._
_Whilst . . . . musing_ is an adv. clause, mod. cast.
_I cast . . . . a rock_ is a principal clause.
_That . . . . . me_ is an adj. clause, mod. _summit of a rock_.
_Where I . . . hand_ is an adj. clause, mod. _summit of a rock_.
2. King Harold had a rebel brother in Flanders, who was a vassal of Harold Hardrada, king of Norway.—_Dickens._