Clauses - Definition, Types and Examples

Clauses - Definition, Types and Examples

Clauses are so common in English that knowingly or unknowingly everyone uses them both in spoken and written English. In this article, we've given an introduction to what is a clause and its types. We've covered:

1. What is a Clause?
2. Clause Examples
3. 6 Types of Clauses with Examples
4. Independent or Main Clause 
5. Dependent or Subordinate Clause
6. Noun Clause 
7. Adjectival Clause 
8. Adverbial Clause 
9. Relative Clause 
10. Conditional Clause

What is a Clause?

Cambridge Dictionary defines clause as "A group of words, consisting of a subject and a finite form of a verb."

Merriam-Webster defines clause as "A group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex or compound sentence. 

Oxford Learner's Dictionaries defines clause as "A group of words that includes a subject and a verb and forms a sentence or part of a sentence in the sentence." 

From the definitions, we learn that:

1. A clause is a group of words. 
2. A clause contains a subject and predicate.
3. A clause can be a complete sentence.
4. A clause can also be part of a sentence.
5. The predicate in a clause contains a finite verb.

Clause Examples

(a) I ate a mango yesterday.
(b) He saw a lion and he ran away.
(c) He couldn't attend the class because he was sick.

In example (a), the complete sentence I ate a mango yesterday is an independent clause. 

In example (b), he saw a lion & he ran away are the two parts of a sentence connected by the coordinating conjunction And which are two independent clauses. 

In example (c), he couldn't attend the class & he was sick are the two parts of a sentence connected by the subordinating conjunction because. he couldn't attend the class is an independent clause and because he was sick is a subordinate clause.


6 Types of Clauses with Examples

We've discussed below the definitions of 6 types of clause with examples without going into the detail.


1. Independent or Main Clause 

What is an independent clause?

a. An independent clause is also known as main or primary clause 
b. It has a subject and predicate.
c. It can form a complete sentence. 
d. It can stand alone without the help of any other clause.
e. It can make complete sense alone.

Independent Clause Examples:

a. John went to London last year.
b. He can lift 100kgs.

The examples mentioned above fulfill all the conditions of an independent clause, because both the two have subjects like John and He and verbs like went and lift, are complete sentences and can make complete sense without the help of any other clause. 

2. Dependent or Subordinate Clause

What is a Dependent Clause

a. A dependent clause is also known as subordinate clause.
b. It has a subject and predicate.
c. It cannot form a complete sentence.
d. It does not express a complete thought.
e. It cannot stand alone.
f. It is part of a sentence.

Dependent Clause Examples

a. Because he asked me, I told him.
b. I used to play football when I was a child.

In example (a), he asked me is a dependent clause and I told him is an independent. The dependent clause is connected to the independent clause with the help of a subordinate conjunction because. 

In example (b), I used to play football is an independent clause and I was a child is a dependent clause. The dependent clause is connected to the independent clause by the subordinate conjunction when.

3. Noun Clause 

a. A noun clause is a group of words.
b. It has a subject and predicate.
c. It is a subordinate clause.
d. It starts with subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.
e. It acts as a noun. That is, it can become a subject, object or subject complement.

Noun Clause Examples:

a. Whether you complete your assignment or not is your business.
b. I don't know why he didn't attend the class yesterday.

The clauses in bold are noun clauses. They fulfill the requirements of a noun clause. Think about the clauses closely.

4. Adjectival Clause or Relative Clause 

a. An adjective clause is a group of words.
b. It has a subject and predicate.
c. It is a dependent or subordinate clause.
d. It acts as an adjective.
e. It modifies a noun or pronoun.
f. It starts with a relative pronoun.

Adjectival Clause Examples:

a. The boy who is sitting at the door is my friend.
b. My son, who is 15 years old, has topped the class.

The clauses in bold are adjective or adjectival clauses which modify the nouns the boy and my son respectively.

5. Adverbial Clause 

a. An adverbial clause is a group of words.
b. It has a subject and predicate.
c. It is a dependent or subordinate clause.
d. It acts as an adverb.
e. It modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb.
f. It starts with a subordinating conjunction.

Adverbial Clause Examples

a. Think twice before you make any statement about it.
b. He came after he finished all his work.

The clauses in bold are adverbial clauses. They fulfill all the requirements of an adverbial clause.  


6. Conditional Clause 

a. A conditional clause is a combination of an independent and dependent clause.
b. In a conditional clause, one action is dependent on another. 
c. It starts with if, in case, etc.
d. It is also known as conditional sentence.

Conditional Clause Examples

a. If it rains today, we will not go out.
b. I'll go to the department if the teacher comes.

The above-mentioned are the examples of conditional clauses or sentences which contain an independent clause and a dependent clause.