Hello Learners, in this lesson of English grammar we are going to discuss What is Clauses in English Grammar their types with examples. To download the PDF of this lesson please find the PDF downloadable link mentioned below of this article.
A clause is a group of words that are related and contains subject and verb as well.
It is a combination of powerful words as it can express a thought in itself.
It can also be defined as a group of words having a subject and predicate also. It can be put up in this way that each sentence has at least one clause in it.
Above are simple examples that showcase that clause can be a simple sentence as well.
The clause can also be part of a compound sentence [External Link], which can consist of one or even more clauses.
Following are an example of the same.
Going by definition, the clause is a combination of words that have subject and verb both. Thus part of a simple sentence can be termed as a clause.
The following are examples.
Some of the sentences may have more than one clauses. Below are the examples:
So, how many types of clauses in English Grammar? The majority, there are following two types of clauses.
Independent clause along with having subject and verb expresses a complete thought and can be held alone as well.
Here are some examples of Independent clause.
Grammatically complete sentences like above are statements that can stand alone. When similar to these are part of long sentences, it is called Independent clauses.
More than two main clauses can be fused by coordinating conjunctions like and, but, for, nor, so, yet, etc. and by even using semicolons. The most pivotal part to recall here is that main or independent clause can stand alone.
Following is the example where the main clause is a simple sentence.
Next example is of coordinating conjunction where and joins two independent clauses.
Next example is where the semicolon is joining two independent clauses.
In the above sentence, independent clause (Priya brushed her lengthy, black hairs.) is preceded by a clause that cannot stand alone (After she told Rahul to leave).
In the above example again, an independent clause is followed by a clause that cannot stand alone: while she waited for Rahul to leave.
Visa Guide: Conjunctions in English Grammar with Examples [PDF]A dependent or subordinate clause has subject and verb; however, unlike Independent clause, it cannot stand alone. It always depends on other things in the sentence to express a complete thought. This is the reason why it is called Dependent clause.
Relative pronouns like who, who introduce some dependent clauses, that, which, what and also by subordinating conjunctions like although, because, if, unless, etc.
Dependent clauses can function either as noun clauses, pronoun clauses, adjective clauses and adverb clauses in a sentence.
Noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.
For example,
A pronoun clause is always governed by the role it plays in its term.
For example,
An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies noun or pronoun.
Adjective clause always begins with words like when, where, who, whom, whose, etc.
Most of the adverbial clause beginning with subordinating clauses like unless, if, because, when, although.
The phrase is a collection of words that defines a concept and is used as a unit in a sentence.
The phrase does not contain a subject and a verb.
Example of the phrase: on a table, near the wall, at the door.
Both clauses and expressions (phrases) can be found in a single sentence.
Under the table and on the wall are a phrase in the above example and rest are the clauses.
Phrase:
She lives near my friend’s home (phrase).
Clause:
She understands what you cannot explain in words (clause).
Above is all about the clause, phrases, types and their differences with examples that can help you out in clearing your concept.
This is a complete explanation Clauses in English Grammar I hope you liked this lesson.
