Clauses - Explanations and Examples
John drinks coffee and Mary drinks tea.
They didn't play tennis because it was raining.
A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. A clause can form a
complete sentence alone, or it can just be part of a larger sentence.
There are two main types of clause:
1. independent clause
2. dependent clause
1. Independent clauses
Below, you see an independent clause (he drinks coffee). It is an independent clause
because:
1. it has a subject and a verb
2. it forms a complete idea
An independent clause can form a complete sentence, if we capitalize the
beginning (H) and end it with a full stop (.), a question mark (?) or an exclamation
mark (!). See the example below:
Here are some more examples of independent clauses as sentences:
She runs every morning.
They aren't playing football.
Who doesn't love reading books?
He has finished his homework.
2. Dependent clauses
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It needs to be connected
to an independent clause to make sense. A dependent clause also has a subject and a
verb, but it does not express a complete thought on its own. Dependent clauses usually
begin with words like: because, if, when, although, while.
Examples:
because she was tired
This clause is incomplete. It does not express a complete thought. (We need more
information to understand the full meaning.)
if it rains tomorrow
This is also incomplete and does not express a complete thought. (What will happen
if it rains?)
A dependent clause is also called a subordinate clause.
Here are some example sentences that include a dependent clause:
She went to bed early because she was tired.
(Dependent clause: "because she was tired" is added to the independent clause "she
went to bed early")
I will bring an umbrella if it rains tomorrow.
If it rains tomorrow, I will bring an umbrella.
(Dependent clause: "if it rains tomorrow" is combined with the independent clause "I
will bring an umbrella")
Types of dependent clause
adverb clause: modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb. It usually start with
words like: because, since, if, although, when
o I stayed home because it was raining.
noun clause: acts as a noun in the sentence. It often starts with words like: what,
why, that, whether, who, how
o I don’t know why she left early.
relative clause (also called adjective clause): "relates" to and describes the noun in
an independent clause. It typically starts with a relative pronoun: who, which, that,
whom, whose
o Here is the book that I wanted to read.
How we combine clauses
Clauses can be combined in a sentence to create more complex ideas. You can combine:
Two (or more) independent clauses with a conjunction (and, but, or):
o She likes coffee, but he prefers tea.
o I was early and Matt was late, but Tara didn't come.
An independent clause and a dependent clause:
o Although she was hungry, she kept working.
o We missed the bus because we were late.
o Our dog barks when she hears a noise.
o Do you know the man who is talking to Mary?
Summary
Independent clauses can stand alone as complete sentences.
Dependent clauses need an independent clause to make sense.
Clauses can be combined to form complex sentences.
Clauses Quiz