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Clauses

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Clauses

A clause has a subject and a predicate. Some stand alone; some lean on another.

Independent clause: a complete sentence on its own

An independent clause has a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought, so it can stand alone as a sentence. Every sentence has at least one.

On the line

The dog barked .

A subject and a predicate, standing alone. An independent clause.

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A subject and a predicate that express a complete thought and can stand alone.

Adverbial clause: a dependent clause acting as an adverb

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that acts like an adverb, telling when, why, or how. It starts with a subordinating conjunction (because, when, after) and cannot stand alone.

On the line

Because the bell rang , the students left .

Because the bell rang tells why; it leans on the main clause. An adverbial clause.

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A dependent clause starting with a subordinating conjunction (because, when, although), telling when, why, or how.

Relative clause: a dependent clause that describes a noun

A relative clause is a dependent clause that describes a noun, like an adjective. It begins with a relative pronoun: who, which, or that. The dog that barked ran away.

On the line

The dog that barked ran away .

That barked points back to the dog and tells which one. A relative clause.

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A dependent clause starting with who, which, or that, pointing back to a noun.