What is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb or verb phrase. Every sentence consists of at least one clause.

The two clause types are an independent and a dependent clause. An independent clause (also known as a main clause) expresses a complete thought. It can either stand on its own as a sentence or be combined with one or more dependent or independent clause to form a sentence. A dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) cannot stand on its own as a sentence. It must be combined with one or more independent clauses to form a sentence. A dependent clause can function either as a noun clause, an adjective clause, or an adverb clause in sentences. They begin with words such as after, although, because, before, if, since, that, until, what, when, where, who, which , and why .

Independent Clause Examples

What is a Clause?

( Dad will pick us up is an independent clause. It contains the subject Dad and the verb phrase will pick . The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Valentina likes to have picnics in the summer.

( Valentina likes to have picnics in the summer is an independent clause. It contains the subject Valentina and the verb likes . The clause expresses a complete thought and stands on its own as a sentence.)

Before we leave on our road trip, we have to check the map .

( We have to check the map is an independent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb have . The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Colin will meet you after he finishes studying.

( Colin will meet you is an independent clause. It contains the subject Colin and the verb phrase will meet . The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Although I generally prefer cats, I also like dogs .

( I also like dogs is an independent clause. It contains the subject I and the verb like . The clause expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.)

Daniel is driving into town , and Regina is taking the train .

( Daniel is driving into town is an independent clause. It contains the subject Daniel and the verb phrase is driving . Regina is taking the train is another independent clause. It contains the subject Regina and the verb phrase is taking . Both clauses express a complete thought and can stand on their own as a sentence.)

Dependent Clause Examples

( Since the rain stopped is a dependent clause. It contains the subject rain and the verb stopped . The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

We have to help with dinner when Mom and Dad come home .

( When Mom and Dad come home is a dependent clause. It contains the subjects Mom and Dad and the verb come . The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

If we go to the movies tonight , do you want to see a scary film?

( If we go to the movies tonight is a dependent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb go . The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

I need to take a nap because I only got four hours of sleep last night .

( Because I only got four hours of sleep last night is a dependent clause. It contains the subject I and the verb got . The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Until Yolanda buys more bread , we can’t make lunch.

( Until Yolanda buys more bread is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Yolanda and the verb buys . The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Remember to pick up the dry cleaning before you get groceries .

( Before you get groceries is a dependent clause. It contains the subject you and the verb get . The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

What is a Noun Clause?

A noun clause is a type of dependent clause that acts as a noun. A noun clause begins with words such as how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever , and why . A noun clause can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition.

Noun Clause Examples

Whoever wants to go fishing should come with us.

( Whoever wants to go fishing is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the verb wants . The clause acts as a subject in the sentence.)

In class, we learned how bats use sonar to locate objects .

( How bats use sonar to locate objects is a noun clause. It contains the subject bats and the verb use . The clause acts as a direct object in the sentence.)

Samantha’s biggest fear is that she will trip onstage .

( That she will trip onstage is a noun clause. It contains the subject she and the verb phrase will trip . The clause acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying fear .)

I was wondering about what time we should leave .

( What time we should leave is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase should leave . The clause acts as an object of the preposition about in the sentence.)

He will give whoever wins the contest a special prize.

( Whoever wins the contest is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the verb wins . The clause acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)

The real challenge is how we are going to satisfy our client .

( How we are going to satisfy our client is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase are going . The clause acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying challenge .)

Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause , also known as a relative clause , is a type of dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. It begins with a relative pronoun or relative adverb such as that, when, where, who, whom, whose, which , and why . These types of pronouns and adverbs are referred to as relative because they relate the clauses to the words they modify.

An adjective clause can be either restrictive (or essential) or nonrestrictive (or nonessential). A restrictive adjective clause provides information that is necessary for identifying the word it modifies. A nonrestrictive adjective clause provides additional information about the word it modifies, but the word’s meaning is already clear. A nonessential clause is always set off with commas.

Adjective Clause Examples

The person who took my order forgot to bring me my drink.

( Who took my order is a restrictive adjective clause. It contains the relative pronoun who , which also functions as the clause’s subject, and the verb took . The clause modifies the noun person .)

The clownfish is the type of fish that Sarah wants to get .

( That Sarah wants to get is a restrictive adjective clause. It contains the relative pronoun that , the subject Sarah , and the verb wants . The clause modifies the noun fish .)

This is the track where we like to go running .

( Where we like to go running is a restrictive adjective clause. It contains the relative adverb where , the subject we , and the verb like . The clause modifies the noun track .)

The house, which received fire damage , has had extensive renovations.

( Which received fire damage is a nonrestrictive adjective clause. It contains the relative pronoun which , which also functions as the subject of the clause, and the verb received . The clause modifies the noun house .)

Ben, who called earlier , has decided he can’t make it tonight.

( Who called earlier is a nonrestrictive adjective clause. It contains the relative pronoun who , which also functions as the subject of the clause, and the verb called . The clause modifies the noun Ben .)

Liliana, whose mother owns the business, has said she might be able to help me get an internship there.

( Whose mother owns the business is a nonrestrictive adjective clause. It contains the relative pronoun whose , the subject mother , and the verb owns . The clause modifies the noun Liliana .)

What is an Adverb Clause?

An adverb clause is a type of dependent clause modifies an adjective, an adverb, or a verb or verb phrase. An adverb clause begins with words such as after, although, because, before, if, since, than, until, when , and while .

Adverb Clause Examples

I will stay at the house until you arrive .

( Until you arrive is an adverb clause. It contains the subject you and the verb arrive . The clause modifies the verb phrase will stay .)

When they arrived at the station , they ran to get the train.

( When they arrived at the station is an adverb clause. It contains the subject they and the verb arrived . The clause modifies the verb ran .)

If Cheryl wants to come along , she can meet us at the theater.

( If Cheryl wants to come along is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Cheryl and the verb wants . The clause modifies the verb phrase can meet .)

The movie was better than I expected it to be .

( Than I expected it to be is an adverb clause. It contains the subject I and the verb expected . The clause modifies the adjective better .)

Because we bought the items on sale , we got a really good deal.

( Because we bought the items on sale is an adverb clause. It contains the subject we and the verb bought . The clause modifies the verb got .)

My cell phone does not work well when the temperature gets too low .

( When the temperature gets too low is an adverb clause. It contains the subject temperature and the verb gets . The clause modifies the adverb well .)

What is an Elliptical Clause?

An elliptical clause is a type of dependent, or subordinate, clause that is missing a word or words. Sometimes, the clause is missing a relative pronoun such as that, who , or whom or a relative adverb such as when, where , or why . Other times, the missing part is a subject or a verb or verb phrase. While elliptical clauses are acceptable to use, they can sometimes confuse readers, such as when the sentence ends with a pronoun. In the sentences below, the missing parts appear in brackets.

Elliptical Clause Examples

Though [she is] sometimes prone to jealousy, Bella is a generally well-behaved dog.

The reason [why] we didn’t come was that Tommy didn’t feel well.

I didn’t know [that] Maggie had her baby!

Carol is much stronger than I [am].

Neil is a better painter than he [is].

Why is a Clause important?

A clause is what make up sentences. Without a dependent clause, sentences lack important details. Without an independent clause, sentences don’t exist at all!