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
