Free Grammar Lessons: Clauses and Their Types

What is a Clause?

• Definition: A group of related words with a subject and verb combination that has a complete meaning by itself.
• Example: "He plays cricket regularly."
  • Group of words: Yes
  • Subject: He
  • Verb: Plays
  • Complete meaning: Yes
  • Conclusion: It is a clause.

Types of Clauses

Independent Clause

• Definition: A complete sentence by itself; doesn't need another clause for its existence.
• Example: "You may sit here."
  • Subject: You
  • Verb: Sit
  • Complete thought: Yes
  • Conclusion: Independent clause.

Dependent Clause

• Definition: Has a subject and verb but lacks a complete thought; depends on an independent clause to form a complete thought.
• Example: "Wherever you like."
  • Subject: You
  • Verb: Like
  • Complete thought: No
  • Conclusion: Dependent clause.
• Combination Example: "You may sit wherever you like."
  • Independent Clause: "You may sit"
  • Dependent Clause: "Wherever you like"
  • Complete thought: Yes

Types of Dependent Clauses

Noun Clause

• Definition: A group of words with a subject and verb, acting as a noun in the sentence.
• Examples:
  • "I fear that I will fail."
    • Clause: "that I will fail"
    • Acts as: Object of the verb "fear"
  • "That you have come pleases me."
    • Clause: "that you have come"
    • Acts as: Subject of the verb "pleases"

Adjective Clause

• Definition: A group of words with a subject and verb, acting as an adjective in the sentence.
• Examples:
  • "The umbrella which has a broken handle is mine."
    • Clause: "which has a broken handle"
    • Describes: Noun "umbrella"
  • "He met a girl whose eyes were blue."
    • Clause: "whose eyes were blue"
    • Describes: Noun "girl"

Adverb Clause

• Definition: A group of words with a subject and verb, acting as an adverb in the sentence.
• Examples:
  • "They rested when the evening came."
    • Clause: "when the evening came"
    • Modifies: Verb "rested"
  • "I will give you a map so that you can find the way."
    • Clause: "so that you can find the way"
    • Describes: Act of giving

Summary

• Clause: A group of words with a subject and verb combination that has meaning by itself.
• Types:
  • Independent Clause: A complete sentence by itself.
  • Dependent Clause: Needs an independent clause to form a complete thought.
• Dependent Clauses:
  • Noun Clause: Acts as a noun.
  • Adjective Clause: Acts as an adjective.
  • Adverb Clause: Acts as an adverb.

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