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CLAUSES (Advanced English) |
UPDATED: NOV 2021
A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb.
(A clause functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.)
(A clause functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.)
TYPES OF CLAUSES
Independent Clauses (Main Clause)
Dependent Clauses (Subordinate Clause)
Relative Clauses (Adjective Clause)
Noun Clauses
- An independent (or main clause) is a complete sentence.
- It contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in context and meaning.
- It expresses a complete thought.
- EXAMPLES >
Dependent Clauses (Subordinate Clause)
- A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is part of a sentence; it contains a subject and verb but does not convey the complete sense.
- They can make sense on their own, but, they are dependent on the rest of the sentence for context and meaning.
- A dependent clause is joined to an independent clause to form a complex sentence. It often starts with a subordinating conjunction.
- EXAMPLES >
Relative Clauses (Adjective Clause)
- A relative clause starts with the relative pronoun at the start of the clause like who, which, whose etc.
- To make a distinction between an antecedent that is a human “who(m)” and an antecedent which is a non-human “which”.
- EXAMPLES >
Noun Clauses
- It is a dependent clause that works as a noun. Noun clauses can act as a subject, direct or indirect objects or predicate nominatives.
- Click here to learn more about clauses.
- EXAMPLES >
NOTE: Steps To Learning Clauses
- Clauses are important and you must learn how to use them.
- Do a short read of all the types of clauses on this site.
However, don't spend a lot of time trying to understand all the information.
Just a quick look!
- Begin and Focus on Independent Clauses. They are easiest to understand. "or less difficult" :-)
- They are simple sentences.
- Stay focused on them until you feel that you can use them correctly when speaking.
- Next move on to the other types of clauses.
- They will be easier to understand once you dominate Independent Clauses.