Clause

What is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.

There are two main types of clauses:

• Independent clauses
• Dependent clauses

We will also examine two unique categories of dependent clauses:

• Subordinate clauses
• Relative clauses

Independent clause

An independent clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate and can function as a complete sentence.

• Example: Fish swim.
• Example: Birds fly. Fish swim.

Two independent clauses can be connected by a semicolon.

• Example: Birds fly; fish swim.

Two independent clauses can also be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

• Example: Birds fly, and fish swim.
• Example: Birds fly, but fish swim.

Three or more independent clauses can be connected by commas. The final item in the list should follow a coordinating conjunction.

• Example: Birds fly, fish swim, and snakes slither.

Dependent clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate but cannot function as a complete sentence. To function as a sentence, a dependent clause must be connected to an independent clause that fulfills its verbal relationship. A sentence containing both an independent clause and a dependent clause is known as a complex sentence.

• Complex sentence: Nero plays the fiddle while Rome burns.
• Independent clause: Nero plays the fiddle
• Dependent clause: while Rome burns

In the above example, the dependent clause has a subject (Rome) and a predicate (burns). The words Rome burns can function as a complete sentence. However, while Rome burns cannot function as a complete sentence, because the word while establishes that Rome burns is part of a larger verbal relationship.

Use a comma when placing a dependent clause before an independent clause in a sentence.

• Example: While Rome burns, Nero plays the fiddle.

Dependent clauses cannot always be placed before independent clauses in a sentence.

• Correct: She is the woman that I love.
• Incorrect: That I love, she is the woman.

Subordinate clause

A subordinate clause is a dependent clause that contains a subordinating conjunction, such as the word when.

• Complex sentence: I was happy when Jacob came home.
• Independent clause: I was happy
• Dependent clause: when Jacob came home

There are many subordinating conjunctions. Here are a few:

• after
• although
• even though
• if
• once
• until
• when
• while

Relative clause

A relative clause is a dependent clause that contains a relative pronoun, such as the word that.

• Complex sentence: She was the only astrophysicist that he knew.
• Independent clause: She was the only astrophysicist
• Dependent clause: that he knew

Here is a list of relative pronouns:

• who
• whom
• whose
• that
• which