Clauses in English Grammar with Examples [PDF]

englishcompositions.com/clauses-in-english-grammar/

Suprity Acharyya

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.

Definition of Clause:
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.

She laughed.
I am eating.
He sings song.

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.

He is weeping (one clause).

1/6
 I waited for her, but she did not come. (Two clauses).
My brother likes economics but, I like Physics as I want to be an engineer. (Three
clauses).

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.

They are eating at a restaurant.

I glanced at him in the street.
He cooks pasta in the kitchen.

Some of the sentences may have more than one clauses. Below are the
examples:

I waited for him, but he did not come (two clauses).

Types of Clause
So, how many types of clauses in English Grammar? The majority, there are
following two types of clauses.

1. Independent clause (Main clause).

2. Dependent clause (Subordinate clause).

Independent clause

2/6
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.

She saw him.

John hurried home.
Free dinner has a price.

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.

Priya brushed her lengthy, black hairs.

Next example is of coordinating conjunction where and joins two

independent clauses.

Rahul left, and Priya brushed her lengthy, black hairs.

Next example is where the semicolon is joining two independent clauses.

Rahul left; Priya brushed her lengthy, black hairs.

After she told Rahul to go, Priya brushed her black strands.

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).

Priya brushed her lengthy, black strands while she waited for 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.

Dependent Clause
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.

3/6
Types of the dependent clause

Noun clauses
Noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.
For example,

That man told us how he escaped (Direct object of the verb told).
What I want for dinner is a sandwich (Subject of the verb is).
Give it to whoever arrives first (object of the preposition to).

Pronoun clauses
A pronoun clause is always governed by the role it plays in its term.
For example,

They offered money to whoever presented ticket first (Here entire clause is the
object of the preposition).

Adjective Clause
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.

For example,

We are going to a beach that I like most (that I like best is an adjectives clause, It
contains subject I and verb like and clause modifies the noun beach).

Adverbial clauses
Most of the adverbial clause beginning with subordinating clauses like unless, if,
because, when, although.

For example,

When volcano started erupting and throwing lava in air, we drove away as fast as we
could.

Difference between Clause and Phrases

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.

4/6
Both clauses and expressions (phrases) can be found in a single sentence.

The cat is sleeping under the table.

She is drawing a map on the wall.

Under the table and on the wall are a phrase in the above example and rest are the
clauses.

Critical differences between Phrase and Clause

A group of two or more words related to one another that delivers a single unit is a
phrase whereas a clause is a part of the sentence that has a subject and a finite verb
form which acts.
A phrase is a part of a sentence or a clause whereas clause is a sentence fragment.
A phrase does not have a subject and predicate whereas a clause has a subject and
verb.
The clause can stand alone as a whole sentence while the phrase does not.
Clauses are larger units whereas phrases are the smaller part of the sentence.

Example of both Clause and Phrase

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.

A Must Watch Video lessons on Clauses:

This is a complete explanation Clauses in English Grammar I hope you liked this
lesson.

Resources:

https://www.wikipedia.org/
https://www.learngrammar.net/

See More Like This

Sentence in English Grammar with Examples [PDF]

Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement and Their Examples [PDF]

Parts of Speech in English Grammar with Examples [PDF]

5/6
Verb in English Grammar with Examples [PDF]

Phrases in English Grammar with Examples [PDF]

Active and Passive Voice Notes [PDF]

6/6