Clause

子句是由一群相關並含有主詞動詞的字所組成。 子句有兩種:獨立子句從屬子句

獨立子句又稱為主要子句,它是能單獨表達完整思維的句子。從屬子句又稱為附屬子句,它不能單獨存在,必須依附獨立子句才會有意義。

句子與子句兩者最大的區別是句子能表達一個完整的思維;而子句則不一定。能夠表達一個完整的思維的子句,我們稱它為獨立子句,不能表達完整思維的子句,我們稱它為從屬子句

簡言之,子句是句子裡面的小句子


He is very wealthy. He is not happy.
他很富有。他不快樂
兩個獨立子句


Although he is very wealthy, he is not happy.
雖然他很富有,他並不快樂。
從屬子句:Although he is very wealthy
獨立子句:he is not happy


獨立子句”he is very wealthy“,前面若添加一個從屬連接詞,”Although he is very wealthy“就變成從屬子句。

從屬子句”Although he is very wealthy”不能單獨存在,它必須依附到另一個獨立子句”he is not happy”才有意義。


從屬子句的分類:

Independent Clause

獨立子句又稱為主要子句。獨立子句為能表達完整思維的句子,它至少要有一個主詞和一個動詞。 獨立子句可以是單獨存在的單句, 或與其他子句結合成複句合句、 或複合句


I left on time. I arrived late.
我準時出發。我晚到了。
兩個獨立子句:
1. I left on time.
2. I arrived late.


兩個獨立子句不能用逗號分開


I left on time, I arrived late.
(錯誤的句子)


連接兩個獨立子句,有下列三種方法


I left on time, but i arrived late.
使用逗號及對等連接詞


Although I left on time, I arrived late.
使用從屬連接詞及逗號


I left on time; however, I arrived late.
使用連接副詞,以分號和逗號加諸於連接副詞(however)前後


獨立子句能夠單獨存在,這時候我們通常叫它為句子,而不再以子句稱呼。

Dependent Clause

從屬子句無法表達完整的思維,它不能單獨存在。從屬子句又稱為附屬子句(Subordinate Clauses), 意味著它必須依附其他獨立字句才能存在。

底下三個從屬子句無法表達完整的思維,所以皆不是完整的句子


after the guests went home
客人回家後


when I got there
當我趕到的時候


while I listen to music
就在我聽音樂時


從屬子句依其功能,可以分為三類

  • 名詞子句
    • 由從屬連接詞引導:that, if, whether
    • 由疑問詞引導:when, where, which, who, why, what, how
  • 關係子句
    • 由關係代名詞引導,當形容詞使用:who, whom, whose, which, that
    • 由關係副詞引導,當形容詞使用:when, where, why
  • 副詞子句
    • 由從屬連接詞引導:when, where, because
    • 修飾主要子句,說明時間、地方、因果

Noun Clause

名詞子句其實就是一個結構比較長的名詞,所以名詞可以放的地方,名詞子句就可以放。

名詞子句的功能,可以作為句子的:

  • 主詞
  • 受詞(直接受詞或間接受詞)
  • 補語(主詞補語或受詞補語)


That 70% of the human body is water is a fact.
That 70% of the human body is water 就是整個句子的主詞


I know that you went to the movie with Gina.
that you went ot the movie with Gina 就是動詞 know 的受詞


The rule is that you cannot go out after 10 p.m.
that you cannot go out after 10 pm 就是主詞 the rule 的主詞補語


Relative Clause

關係子句(形容詞子句)是由關係代名詞帶領的子句,功能就是用來修飾前面的先行詞。


I want to live in a country that has mild weather.
that has mild weather 修飾先行詞 a country


The man who I was talking to is my college professor.
who I was talking to 修飾先行詞 The man


Amanda really loves that wedding dress which has diamonds on it.
which has diamonds on it 修飾先行詞 that wedding dress


Adverb Clause

副詞子句的功能就跟副詞副詞片語一樣,提供語意,但是就算拿掉副詞子句,整個句子的文法也不會被破壞。


I was having dinner when you came in.
when you came in 說明了我吃晚餐的時間


We will cancel the picnic if it rains tomorow.
if it rains tomorrow 說明了取消野餐的前提


After he left, he realized he had left his wallet there.
After he left 說明了他發現他掉錢包的時間


實用基礎文法 - 子句

【老師救救我】英文子句的正確用法