A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb) and functions as a syntactic unit within a sentence. Clauses can be classified into two main types: independent and dependent.
- Independent Clause: An independent clause, or a main clause, is a group of words that forms a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
Example: The cat is sleeping.
In this example, “The cat is sleeping” is an independent clause because it expresses a complete idea and can function as a standalone sentence.
- Dependent Clause: A dependent clause, also called a subordinate or relative clause, is a group of words containing a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It relies on an independent clause to complete its meaning.
Example: Although the cat is sleeping, the dog is barking.
In this example, “Although the cat is sleeping” is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. The independent clause “the dog is barking” needs to form a complete thought.
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences, and their combination allows for creating various sentence structures. Understanding the different types of clauses is essential for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.