Understanding Clauses: Definitions,
Examples, and Types
By: Ronak shaw
Definition of Clause
A clause is a combination of words that makes up a sentence. It consists of a subject
and a predicate. Different dictionaries define it as a group of words that includes a
subject, a verb, and a finite form of a verb. It may also contain a predicate and can
function as a member of a complex or compound sentence.
• Example
The sentence, "When it rained they went inside" consists of two clauses: "when it
rained" and "they went inside."
Types of Clauses
• Main Clause or Independent Clause.
• Subordinate Clause or Dependent Clause.
Independent clause/Main clause
A main clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It is one that can stand
alone and makes complete sense. That is why it is called an independent clause.
Example
• I know how to drive a car, but I enjoy riding bikes.
• Today is Thursday.
• I was not keeping well, so I took a day off work.
Subordinate Clause/ Dependent Clause
Definition:- A subordinate clause is a group of words that consists of a subject, a verb
and a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Unlike main clauses,
subordinate clauses cannot stand alone or convey complete meaning when taken
separately from the sentence it is a part of speach. Dependent clauses can be divided
into types based on their function.
Example
• After we reached home , we watched a movie.
• Everybody knows the boy who won the Best Outgoing Student Award.
• My mom asked me to call her as soon as I boarded the bus.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
• Noun Clause
• Adjective Clause/ Relative Clause
• Adverb Clause/ Adverbial Clause
• Conditional Clause
• Comparative Clause
• Verbless Clause
• Complement Clause
Noun Clause
A noun clause is a dependent clause that takes the place of any noun in the sentence,
whether they are subjects, objects, or subject complements.
Example
• He knows that I am a dentist.
• Whether he’s passed exam is still unknown.
• I wonder who lives in that place.
Adjective/Relative Clause
An adjective clause is a group of words consisting of a noun and/or a verb preceded by
a relative pronoun that modifies the subject or object in the sentence.
Example
• The children who belong to this generation are very smart.
• My mom loved the bag that I had bought from Bangalore.
• The girl whose parents died last year was adopted by my uncle.
Adverbial/Adverb Clause
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that modifies the main verb in the
independent clause. Adverbial clauses always start with a subordinating conjunction
and must connect to an independent clause to make sense.
Example
• I will watch that movie with you as long as you promise that I will not get bored.
• Since I trust you to take care of it , we will adopt a dog today.
• You may have dessert as soon as you finish your dinner.
Conditional Clause
A conditional clause is a type of adverbial clause that states a hypothesis or condition,
real or imagined. It's made up of the if-clause and the main clause.
Example
• 1) You would have gotten wet if it had rained.
• 2) If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake.
• 3) We’ll be late for dinner if we don’t leave now.
Comparative Clause
A comparative clause is a type of subordinate clause that follows the comparative form of an
adjective or adverb and begins with as, than, or like.
Example
• Shyla is smarter than I am
Verbless Clause
The verbless clause is a structure containing no verb element at all (either finite or non- finite),
usually having a covert subject, but containing other expressions which can be identified as a
part of predicate (subject complement or adverbial).
Example
• Good morning
• Happy Birthday
Complement Clause
A complement clause is a dependent clause that completes the meaning of a noun,
adjective, verb, or preposition. It starts with conjunction known as complementizer. A
complement clause is essentially a noun clause, and a complementizer is nothing but a
subordinating conjunction that starts a noun clause.
Example
• Mary saw what the man dropped.
