Clauses in English: Types, Examples, and Usage
Clauses are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb. Every complete sentence in English contains at least one independent clause. Some clauses can stand alone, while others depend on another clause to make sense. Understanding clauses helps you build clearer, more complex sentences.
What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses an idea. According to the Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, every well-formed English sentence contains at least one independent clause. A clause can form a complete sentence on its own or work together with other clauses to build longer ones.
For example, in She laughed, the subject is she and the verb is laughed - that's a clause. In She laughed when she saw the cat, there are two clauses joined together: She laughed and when she saw the cat.
It's important not to confuse a clause with a phrase. A phrase is a group of words without both a subject and a verb, such as on the table or in the morning.
The different types of clauses
Clauses come in several forms, each playing a different role in a sentence. Let's look at them one by one.
Independent clauses
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and does not need anything else to make sense. Examples include The sun is shining, I love coffee, and We arrived early.
Dependent clauses
A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone. It depends on an independent clause to form a complete sentence. Dependent clauses often begin with words like because, although, when, if, or since.
For example, because she was tired is a dependent clause. On its own, it feels incomplete. But combined with an independent clause, it forms a full sentence: She went to bed early because she was tired.
Subordinate clauses
Subordinate clause is another name for a dependent clause. It connects to an independent clause to add extra information about time, reason, condition, or contrast.
| Type | Connector | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Time | when, after, before | When the bell rang, we left the class. |
| Reason | because, since | I stayed home because I was sick. |
| Condition | if, unless | If it rains, we'll stay inside. |
| Contrast | although, even though | Although she was tired, she kept going. |
Relative clauses (overview)
A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that gives more information about a noun. It usually starts with one of five relative pronouns in English: who, whom, whose, which, and that.
For example, in The book that I borrowed is fascinating, the relative clause that I borrowed tells us more about the book.
Defining relative clauses
A defining relative clause gives essential information about the noun. Without it, the sentence loses its meaning. These clauses are not separated by commas. For example, The student who studies hard will succeed - the clause who studies hard tells us which student we mean.
Non-defining relative clauses
A non-defining relative clause adds extra information that isn't essential to the meaning of the sentence. These clauses are always separated by commas. For example, My brother, who lives in Berlin, is a doctor. Even without who lives in Berlin, the sentence still makes sense.
Remember: That can only be used in defining relative clauses, never in non-defining ones.
Preposition placement in clauses
In relative clauses, prepositions can come at the end of the clause (more common in spoken English) or at the beginning (more formal in writing). For example, The friend I went to the cinema with is informal, while The friend with whom I went to the cinema is formal.
Remember: When the preposition comes at the start, you must use whom or which - never that or who.