What is a Clause?
A clause is a group of words with a subject and predicate.
Types of Clauses:
1. Independent Clause (Main Clause)
2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)
Independent Clause (Main Clause)
- Has a subject and predicate
- Makes sense alone
- Can be a complete sentence
Example: "I eat breakfast."
Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)
- Has a subject and predicate
- Cannot stand alone
- Needs an independent clause to complete its meaning
Types of Dependent Clauses:
1. Noun Clause (Objective Clause)
2. Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)
3. Adverb Clause
Noun Clause (Objective Clause)*
- Functions as a noun
- Begins with:
- That
- Which
- Who
- Whom
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
- Example: "I know that you're happy." (Noun clause: "that you're happy")
Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)*
- Modifies a noun
- Begins with:
- Who
- Whom
- Which
- That
- Whose
- Example: "The book, which is on the table, is mine." (Adjective clause: "which is on the table")
Adverb Clause
- Modifies a verb, adverb, or clause
- Begins with:
- Because
- Since
- After
- Before
- Until
- If
- Unless
- Example: "I went home because I was tired." (Adverb clause: "because I was tired")
How to Identify Clauses:
1. Look for subjects and predicates.
2. Check if the clause can stand alone.
3. Identify subordinating conjunctions.
Subordinating Conjunctions:
- That
- Which
- Who
- Whom
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
- Because
- Since
- After
- Before
- Until
- If
- Unless
Rules:
1. Independent clauses can be complete sentences.
2. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone.
3. Noun clauses function as nouns.
4. Adjective clauses modify nouns.
5. Adverb clauses modify verbs, adverbs, or clauses.
Key Terms:
- Clause
- Independent clause
- Dependent clause
- Noun clause
- Adjective clause
- Adverb clause
- Subordinating conjunction
