English Proficiency Programme

Example

Sentence type

Explanation

Adverb clause of time

They surrendered when the imperial army encircled them.

Complex

Continuation clause

After much ado they surrendered on the fourth day of the siege, when the imperial army started arresting and reinstating the key officials in a selective manner.

Compound

In this case, connector 'when' actually means 'and then'.
The second clause is 'continuative' or 'elaborative' (coordinating) and NOT 'restrictive' or 'qualifying' (adjective).

Adverb clause of place

The colonisers stopped where the two rivers met.

Complex

Continuation clause

The colonisers stopped at that serene valley, where they developed a thriving settlement over several generations in the next two centuries.

Compound

In this case, connector 'where' actually means 'and there'.
The second clause is 'continuative' or 'elaborative' (coordinating) and NOT 'restrictive' or 'qualifying' (adjective).

Adverb clause of cause or reason

We come to the same conclusion since/as/because all the evidence points to it.
As/Since/Because his guilt was clear, the committee recommended the punitive measure.

Complex

Continuation clause

His guilt was clear, so/hence/therefore the committee recommended the punitive measure.

Compound

In this case, connector 'hence' actually means 'and hence'.
The second clause is 'continuative' and the neither clause is subordinate to the other as cause/result.

Adverb clause of purpose

We come to the meeting that we stay in the loop of the proceedings.
I caution you lest you put yourself at a disadvantage.

Complex

In this case, connectors 'that' and 'lest' mean 'so that' and 'so that ... not'.

Adverb clause of result
(with preceding 'so/such', operating as 'adjective/adverb')

He explained it in such a way that even the slowest student understood.
His explanation was so clear that even the slowest student understood.

Complex

Adverb clause of condition

If the curd spoils, she will throw it.
Unless she is sure of it, she is likely to retain it!

Complex

Adverb clause of comparison or contrast

The events played out as we predicted.
He is not so fair as he pretends.
The more I interact with her, stronger grows my admiration and adoration.

Complex

Adverb clause of supposition or concession

Though I was hard-pressed for time, I could complete this document.
He will remain sincere even if it requires great sacrifices.

Complex

Adjective clause

In the conference, she met a scientist who was a nobel laureate.

Complex

Noun clause

In the conference, she met who wanted an audience with her.

Complex

Continuation clause

In the conference she met a scientist, who started a long-winding discussion on string theory.

Compound

In this case, 'who' means 'and the scientist', it does not qualify/restrict the scientist.

Adjective clause

Years ago we made our tryst with the cause which was valued by many of us.

Complex

Continuation clause

Years ago we made our tryst with this cause, which subsequently developed into a full-blown involvement.

Compound

In this case, 'which' means 'and it'. It does not qualify or restrict the cause.

Noun clause as subject to a verb

What remained in the flask will not evaporate any more.

Complex

Noun clause as object to a verb

He would teach whoever sincerely wants to learn from him.

Complex

Noun clause as object to a preposition

Our next course of action will depend on what the dean decides.

Complex

Noun clause as complement to a verb

My understanding is that a fair agreement prevails between them.

Complex

Noun clause in apposition to a noun

The information that this class was cancelled came too late.

Complex

The subordinate clause 'that this class was cancelled' is in apposition (juxtaposition, in the sense of duplication or symbolic appearance of the original noun) to the noun 'information'.