adverbial clause and adjectival clause) and their functions" width="507" height="290" />This is one the topics (in English) English teachers shy away from due to its complexity; thus, leaving their students to walk in ignorance when they come across it in any English examination. If you are reading this article and part of those who have little or no understanding of the topic, I advise you pay rapt attention as we sail.
adverbial clause and adjectival clause) and their functions" width="507" height="290" />
A Grammatical name is the name given to a word, phrase or clause depending on its function in a given clause or sentence. There are different grammatical names such as noun phrase, adverbial phrase, adjectival phrase, prepositional phrase, noun clause, adverbial clause and adjectival/relative clause. However, in this episode, only the clauses (i.e., the noun clause, adverbial clause and adjectival/relative clause) are discussed.
On the other hand, grammatical function is the syntactic role played by a word, phrase or clause in the context of a given clause or sentence. In English, the grammatical function of a word, phrase or clause is determined by the position of that word, phrase or clause in a particular clause or sentence.
Examples 1. Tammy slapped the man. 2. The man slapped Tammy.Whereas in example 1 Tammy (which is a noun) functions as the subject of the verb, "slapped", in example 2, Tammy functions as the object of the verb, "slapped". Therefore, in determining the grammatical function of a word , phrase or clause, one must take into cognizance the position of that word, phrase or clause in a given clause or sentence.
Let's now discuss these grammatical names and their grammatical functions.
READ: PHRASES AND THEIR GRAMMATICAL FUNCTIONS
A noun clause or nominal clause is a dependent or subordinate clause that does the work of a noun in a sentence. It generally functions as an appositive, the subject or the object of a transitive verb, complement of subject, object and preposition.
