REVISION NOTES – CLAUSES (GRAMMAR & SENTENCE STRUCTURE)
Target: JKSSB Accounts Assistant (Finance) – General English
1. What is a Clause?
- A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb).
- It can stand alone as a sentence (independent clause) or depend on another clause to complete its meaning (dependent/subordinate clause).
| Feature |
Independent (Main) Clause |
Dependent (Subordinate) Clause |
| Can it stand alone? |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
| Needs a conjunction? |
Not required (may be linked by coordinating conjunction) |
Yes – introduced by a subordinator (conjunction, relative pronoun, etc.) |
| Example |
The accountant prepared the ledger. |
Because the accountant prepared the ledger, … |
2. Two Broad Categories
A. Independent (Main) Clause
- Forms a complete thought.
- Can be combined with other independent clauses using coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) or punctuation (semicolon, colon, dash).
B. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause
- Begins with a subordinator and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb within the sentence.
- Always attached to an independent clause.
3. Types of Dependent Clauses
| Type |
Function |
Typical Subordinator(s) |
Example |
| Noun Clause |
Acts as a subject, object, or complement (like a noun) |
that, whether, if, wh‑words (who, what, when, where, why, how) |
What she said was surprising. (subject) |
| Adjective (Relative) Clause |
Modifies a noun or pronoun |
who, whom, whose, which, that (sometimes Ø) |
The report that you submitted is accurate. |
| Adverbial Clause |
Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb (time, place, reason, condition, etc.) |
because, since, although, though, when, while, if, unless, after, before, as soon as, so that, in order that, provided that, etc. |
Although it was late, she finished the audit. |
4. Subordinators – Quick‑Reference Mnemonics
| Category |
Mnemonic |
Items Covered |
| Common Subordinating Conjunctions |
SWABI |
Since, When, After, Before, If |
| Additional Important Subordinators |
AAAWWUBBIS |
Although, As, After, While, When, Until, Because, Before, If, Since |
| Relative Pronouns |
WHO’S THAT? |
Who, Hwhose, Objective Whom, Se, That, Hwhich, And Rest (that/which) – helps recall who, whom, whose, which, that |
| Noun‑Clause Introducers |
WIF |
Whether, If, For‑that (that) – plus wh‑words (who, what, when…) |
Tip: When you see any of these words at the start of a clause, check if the clause can stand alone. If not, you have a dependent clause.
5. Identifying Clause Type – Step‑by‑Step Checklist
- Locate the verb (finite verb) → you have a clause.
- Ask: Does it express a complete thought?
- Yes → Independent clause.
- No → Dependent clause → go to step 3.
- Look at the first word(s):
- If it starts with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) → Adjective clause.
- If it starts with a noun‑clause marker (that, whether, if, wh‑word) → Noun clause.
- If it starts with any other subordinator (SWABI, AAAWWUBBIS, etc.) → Adverbial clause.
- Check punctuation:
- Dependent clause before independent → usually a comma after it.
- Dependent clause after independent → no comma unless it’s non‑essential (extra information).
6. Sentence Structures Based on Clause Combination
| Structure |
Composition |
Punctuation Rules |
Example |
| Simple Sentence |
1 independent clause |
No comma needed (unless internal lists) |
The auditor verified the invoices. |
| Compound Sentence |
2+ independent clauses |
Joined by FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or semicolon |
The auditor verified the invoices, and the manager approved them. |
| Complex Sentence |
1 independent + at least 1 dependent |
Dependent clause may be front‑ or post‑position; comma if front‑position |
Because the auditor verified the invoices, the manager approved them. |
| Compound‑Complex Sentence |
≥2 independent + ≥1 dependent |
Combine rules for compound & complex |
Although the audit was thorough, the manager approved the report, and the board accepted it.* |
7. Common Errors & How to Avoid Them
| Error |
Why it Happens |
Correction Strategy |
| Comma splice – joining two independent clauses with only a comma |
Misunderstanding that a comma alone can link clauses |
Use a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) or replace comma with semicolon/period. |
| Fragment – treating a dependent clause as a sentence |
Forgetting that a dependent clause needs a main clause |
Attach it to an independent clause or turn it into a full sentence by adding a subject/verb. |
| Misplaced modifier – adjective clause too far from the noun it modifies |
Over‑reliance on relative pronouns without checking proximity |
Keep the relative clause immediately after the noun it describes. |
| Incorrect subordinator choice – using “because” for contrast |
Confusing meaning of subordinators |
Recall meaning groups: cause (because, since), contrast (although, though, even if), condition (if, unless), time (when, while, after, before). |
| Double subject – inserting both a noun and a pronoun in a noun clause |
Redundancy after “that” |
Incorrect: The fact that the manager he approved the budget… → Correct: The fact that the manager approved the budget… |
| Missing comma after introductory adverbial clause |
Overlooking the rule for front‑placed dependents |
Always place a comma after an introductory adverbial clause. |
8. Quick‑Reference Tables
8.1 Subordinating Conjunctions by Meaning
| Meaning |
Subordinators (examples) |
| Time |
when, while, after, before, as soon as, until, till, once, whenever |
| Cause/Reason |
because, since, as, owing to the fact that, now that |
| Purpose |
so that, in order that, lest |
| Result |
so…that, such…that |
| Condition |
if, unless, provided that, on condition that, in case |
| Concession |
although, though, even though, while, whereas |
| Manner |
as, as if, as though |
| Comparison |
than, as…as, not so…as |
| Place |
where, wherever |
8.2 Relative Pronouns & Their Uses
| Pronoun |
Refers to |
Can be omitted? (if object) |
Example |
| who |
people (subject) |
No |
The analyst who prepared the sheet… |
| whom |
people (object) |
Yes (often replaced by who in informal) |
The analyst whom you met… |
| whose |
possession (people/things) |
No |
The firm whose accounts were audited… |
| which |
things/animals (subject/object) |
Yes (if object) |
The report which was submitted… |
| that |
people/things (subject/object) |
Yes (if object) |
The ledger that balances… |
8.3 Punctuation Cheat‑Sheet
| Situation |
Punctuation |
| Independent + Independent (coordinating conjunction) |
comma before FANBOYS |
| Independent + Independent (semicolon) |
semicolon; no conjunction |
| Dependent (intro) + Independent |
comma after dependent |
| Independent + Dependent (final) |
no comma (unless non‑essential) |
| Non‑essential adjective clause |
commas around clause |
| Essential adjective clause |
no commas |
9. Mnemonics for Sentence Types
- SIMPLE = Single Independent Main Part Leaves Ending (just one clause).
- COMPOUND = Combine Or More Pair Using Neutral Dots (FANBOYS) → two or more independent clauses.
- COMPLEX = Combine One Main Plus Extra Dependent → one independent + at least one dependent.
- COMPOUND‑COMPLEX = Combine Or More Plus Extra Dependent Xtra → ≥2 independent + ≥1 dependent.
10. Practice Tips (5‑Minute Drill)
- Spot the Verb – Underline every finite verb in a paragraph. Each verb signals a clause.
- Label – Write I for independent, D for dependent above each clause.
- Classify – For each D, decide if it’s noun, adjective, or adverbial (look at the first word).
- Re‑build – Take a complex sentence and rewrite it as two simple sentences; check if meaning stays the same.
- Error Hunt – Given a set of sentences, find comma splices, fragments, or misplaced modifiers and correct them using the rules above.
11. Summary – Key Points to Remember
- Clause = subject + verb.
- Independent = can stand alone. Dependent = needs a main clause.
- Three dependent types: noun (acts like a noun), adjective (modifies a noun), adverbial (modifies verb/adjective/adjective).
- Subordinators are your clues: use SWABI / AAAWWUBBIS for adverbial; who/whom/whose/which/that for adjective; that/whether/if/wh‑words for noun.
- Sentence type depends on how you combine clauses: simple (1 independent), compound (2+ independent via FANBOYS/semicolon), complex (1 independent + ≥1 dependent), compound‑complex (mix).
- Punctuation follows the clause order: comma after introductory dependent; no comma after final dependent (unless non‑essential); commas around non‑essential adjective clauses.
- Avoid comma splices, fragments, misplaced modifiers, double subjects.
- Mnemonics (SWABI, AAAWWUBBIS, WHO’S THAT?, WIF, SIMPLE/COMPOUND/COMPLEX) make recall fast during the exam.
Keep this sheet handy, run through the 5‑minute drill a few times a day, and you’ll be able to spot, classify, and punctuate clauses correctly—boosting your score in the General English section of the JKSSB Accounts Assistant exam. Good luck!
Editorial Team
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