Grammar for Writing

CLAUSES
Sam An Teng
July 2013
Copyright © All rights reserved.
DEFINITION
• Clause is a group of related words that contains at least one
subject and one verb and is used as a sentence or part of a
sentence.

• When a clause has complete meaning on its own, it can be

used as a sentence. But when it has incomplete meaning, it is
used as part of a sentence. Look at the examples below.

– He is a news reporter. (As a sentence)

– She loves music. (As a sentence)
– Where he stays (As part of a sentence)
– Who lives next to my house (As part of a sentence)
TYPES OF CLAUSES

• There are two types of clauses: independent clause (or main

clause), and dependent clause (also called subordinate
clause).

• Independent clause – is also called main clause, or principal

clause.

• Dependent clause – is also called sub-clause.

Independent Clauses

• An independent clause has a subject and a verb, and can

stand alone as a sentence. For examples,

– They work in marketing department.

– What products are they going to launch this year?
– The company didn't perform well last year.
– What shall we do?
Dependent Clauses

• A dependent clause has a subject and a predicate, but it

cannot stand alone as a sentence.

• There are three types of subordinate clauses:

o Noun clauses
o Adjective clauses
o Adverb clauses
Dependent Clauses: Noun clauses

• A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun. For

examples,

– What you have proposed is acceptable. (Noun clause)

– Tell me what your marketing strategies are. (Noun clause)
Dependent Clauses: Adjective clauses

• An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a

noun or a pronoun. For examples,

– The man who is standing over there is a product

development manager. (Adjective clause)
– His team has come up with products that have more
features for customers. (Adjective clause)
Dependent Clauses: Adverb clauses

• An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb,

an adjective, or an adverb. It tells when, where, how, why, to
what extent, or under what conditions. For examples,

– If the products are fit for the customers, we will maintain

sales increase of 10%. (Adverb clause)
– There will be some promotion when the new product are
available. (Adverb clause)
Related Topics :

• What is Clause?
• Noun Clause
• Adjective Clause
• Adverb Clause
• Reduced Noun Clause
• Reduced Adjective Clause
• Reduced Adverb Clause
MY BOOKS ON KINDLE STORE

Grammar & Composition:

Parts of Speech in English
English Grammar: The Verb Tenses
Phrases and Clauses in English

Short stories:
He Deserves! Sympathy and Love
FREE LESSONS ONLINE

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