Clauses — Definition, Types, and Examples
What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate. The subject of a clause is the person, place, or thing (noun or noun phrase) performing the action (verb) in the sentence; the predicate describes the action the subject performs.
The two main types of clauses are independent and dependent.
Dependent clauses are subdivided into adjective, adverbial, and noun clauses.
Each type of clause has grammatical characteristics that distinguish them from one another.
Clauses and phrases
Both clauses and phrases contain two or more words that convey a specific idea. However, the similarities between the two stop there. The following chart identifies the differences between clauses and phrases:
| Quality | Clauses | Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Subject and predicate | Yes | No |
| Convey a complete thought | Yes (independent clauses) | No |
| Can standalone as a complete sentence | Yes (independent clauses) | No |
| Types | Independent and dependent (adjective, adverbial, and noun) | Noun, verb, gerund, infinitive, appositive, participial, prepositional, absolute |
| Example | He went to the zoo. | to the zoo |
Types of clauses
The main types of clauses include independent, dependent, and adjective.
An independent (main) clause is a group of words with a subject and predicate that presents a complete thought; an independent clause is a complete sentence. Independent clauses can combine with other independent clauses or dependent clauses with conjunctions.
Independent + Independent: She left for the summer, and he stayed home the entire time.
Dependent + Independent: Because she left for the summer, he stayed home the entire time.
A dependent (subordinate) clause is a group of words with a subject and predicate that do not present a complete thought. Dependent clauses are sentence fragments. There are three main types of dependent clauses – adjective, adverbial, and noun.
Adjective (relative) clauses modify (describe) nouns in the independent clause. These clauses start with relative pronouns (a pronoun that refers back to a previous noun). They indicate “which one(s)” or “what kind(s).”
The students whose names are on the list turned in the assignment early.
The sentence specifies which students.
Adverbial clauses modify the main verb of the sentence, which is identified in the independent clause. These clauses start with a subordinating conjunction (connect independent clauses to dependent clauses) and indicate where, how, when, or to what degree the action of the sentence takes place.
The dancer practiced until she couldn’t feel her legs.
The sentence indicates to what degree the dancer practiced.
Noun clauses act as a noun. They follow a linking verb (links the subject to the predicate) and modify the subject of the sentence. Linking verbs fall into three categories – to be, the five senses, or states of being (e.g., believe, feel, hope). Noun clauses can function either as the subject or object of a sentence.
The subject performs the action.
Whatever John made for dinner was delicious.
The direct object receives the action of the verb.
Do you know what happened to the car?
An indirect object identifies to/for whom the action is done.
Make sure you send thank you notes to whoever gave you a present.
Restrictive vs. nonrestrictive clauses
Dependent clauses can either be restrictive or nonrestrictive depending on their use in a sentence.
Restrictive clauses are dependent clauses that are essential to the sentence. Removing it would impact the meaning of the sentence.
“He is wearing the shoes we bought him” vs. “He is wearing the shoes.”
Although both sentences are grammatically correct, the additional information in the first one alters its purpose; therefore, it is a restrictive clause.
Nonrestrictive clauses are dependent clauses that are not essential to the sentence. Removing it would not impact the meaning of the sentence.
“He thanked his parents, Ryan and Cindy, for their constant support” vs. “He thanked his parents for their constant support”
Removing the name of the parents does not impact the meaning of the sentence; therefore, it is nonrestrictive.
Independent and dependent clause examples
The following example sentences use each type of clause:
Independent clauses
Owen forgot his calculator.
Stephanie thought the test was easy.
They worked together.
The view was breathtaking.
It’s important to floss daily.
Dependent clauses
Adjective clauses
The leaky faucet, which made an annoying sound, was fixed today.
He knows someone whose mother is a nurse.
She remembers when there was no such thing as the internet.
Adverbial clauses
Once the door opened, the kids quickly ran out.
Nina knew she had to keep practicing until she got it right.
After David left work, he discovered he forgot his laptop.
Noun clauses (subject)
What she said in her speech made her family proud.
What you are painting looks gorgeous.
Whoever designed this theater was a genius.
Noun clauses (object)
The doctor checked that the notes were correct.
She doesn’t know what I do for a living.
Do you know who scratched my car?
Restrictive clauses
The teacher sent the student who never raises his hand to the principal.
My friend who lives next door watches my dog when I’m away.
The car that ran the red light belongs to my brother.
Nonrestrictive clauses
The electrician, who was recommended by my dad, fixed everything.
Terry dropped his ice cream cone, which was topped with hot fudge.
The hippopotamus, which is my favorite type of animal, can be quite aggressive.