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Clauses Definition

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18 views2 pages

Clauses Definition

Uploaded by

Sam Magwanda
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Clauses definition, types with examples

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate


(verb). Clauses form sentences and can be independent (able to
stand alone) or dependent (cannot stand alone). Here are the main
types of clauses, along with definitions and examples:

1. Independent Clause
An independent clause (or main clause) can stand alone as a
complete sentence, as it expresses a complete thought.

Example:

 "She went to the store."

In this sentence, "She went to the store" is an independent clause


because it can stand alone.

2. Dependent Clause
A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) cannot stand alone as a
sentence. It needs an independent clause to form a complete
thought.

Types of Dependent Clauses:

 Adjective Clause: Describes a noun or pronoun, usually starting


with a relative pronoun like who, whom, whose, that, or which.
 Example: "The book that I borrowed was fascinating."
 "that I borrowed" is the adjective clause modifying "book."
 Adverb Clause: Acts as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or
another adverb. It usually starts with a subordinating conjunction
like because, although, if, or when.
 Example: "She smiled because she was happy."
 "because she was happy" is the adverb clause explaining why she
smiled.
 Noun Clause: Functions as a noun in the sentence and often starts
with words like that, what, who, or where.
 Example: "What she decided surprised everyone."
 "What she decided" is the noun clause acting as the subject.

3. Relative Clause
A relative clause (a type of dependent clause) describes a noun and
starts with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that).

Example:

 "The man who helped us was kind."


 "who helped us" is the relative clause modifying "man."

4. Conditional Clause
A conditional clause expresses a condition, typically starting
with if or unless.

Example:

 "If it rains, we will cancel the picnic."


 "If it rains" is the conditional clause expressing the condition for the
action.

5. Comparative Clause
A comparative clause compares two things or ideas, often beginning
with words like than or as...as.

Example:

 "She runs faster than he does."


 "than he does" is the comparative clause comparing running
speeds.

Each clause type serves a distinct function in sentence structure,


helping to clarify meaning and add detail.

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