Clause Types

 

Clause – a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate. In the examples below, only the underlined words represent the clause being defined.

 

Independent clause – can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

 

Eg. She found the wallet that she had lost.

 

Subordinate clause – has a subject and predicate, but cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

 

Eg. We got out of bed when the alarm clock woke us.

 

Adjective clause – is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. 

 

Eg. Never take chances with ice that isn’t frozen.

 

Adverb clause – is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. 

 

Eg. We departed when the speeches were over.