YET: ESL GRAMMAR - CLAUSES
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CLAUSES (Advanced English)

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.)
UPDATED:  JUN 2021
TYPES OF CLAUSES
Independent Clauses (Main Clause)
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  • An independent (or main clause) is a complete sentence.

  • It contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in context and meaning. 
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  • 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”. 
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  • ​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.
 
NOTE: Steps To Learning Clauses
  1. Clauses are important and you must learn how to use them.

  2. 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!
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TIPS: 
  • 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.
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  • They will be easier to understand once you dominate Independent Clauses.