English
What is a clause?
Quick answer
A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and usually a subject. A main clause makes sense on its own; a subordinate clause needs a main clause to complete it.
In one sentence
A clause is a chunk of a sentence built around a verb, usually with a subject doing that verb.
Explained
Think of clauses as building blocks. The rain stopped is one clause: subject the rain, verb stopped. Add another block and you get a longer sentence: The rain stopped and the sun came out. That sentence has two clauses, one for each verb.
The difference between a clause and a phrase is the verb. After lunch is a phrase; there is no verb. After we had lunch is a clause, because it contains had.
There are two main types:
- A main clause makes sense on its own. We went to the beach. You could put a full stop after it.
- A subordinate clause adds information but cannot stand alone. Because it was sunny leaves you waiting for more. It needs a main clause: We went to the beach because it was sunny. See subordinate clauses.
Main clauses can be joined to each other with coordinating conjunctions such as and, but, or, so. Subordinate clauses are usually introduced by subordinating conjunctions (because, when, if, although) or by relative pronouns (who, which, that).
In England, schools say main clause and subordinate clause, and talk about single-clause and multi-clause sentences. In the US you will often hear independent clause and dependent clause for the same ideas.
blocks
puzzle
book
Examples
| Sentence | Clauses |
|---|---|
| The cat slept. | 1 main |
| The cat slept and the dog snored. | 2 main |
| The cat slept while the dog snored. | 1 main + 1 subordinate |
| If you hurry, you'll catch the bus. | 1 subordinate + 1 main |
| The girl who lives next door sings. | 1 main + 1 relative (subordinate) |
Common mistakes
- Counting a phrase as a clause. On the way home has no verb, so it is a phrase.
- Writing a subordinate clause as a sentence. When we got there. needs a main clause.
- Joining two main clauses with only a comma. It was late, we left needs so, a full stop, or a semicolon.
Quick quiz
Clauses
Check what you know with 4 quick questions.
Question 1 of 4
Which of these is a clause?
Practise it
Try it
For grown-ups
Related topics
Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter, ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark, and usually has a verb.
Subordinate clauses
A subordinate clause is a clause that adds extra information to a main clause but cannot stand alone as a sentence, like because it was raining or who lives next door.
Conjunctions
A conjunction is a joining word that links words, phrases or clauses, such as and, but, or, so, because, when, if and although.
Verbs
A verb is a word for an action (run, eat, write) or a state of being (is, seem, know). Almost every sentence has one, and verbs change to show tense.
Adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes a noun, telling you what kind, which one or how many, like a huge elephant, a sour lemon or three red balloons.
Adverbs
An adverb gives more information about a verb, adjective or another adverb, telling how, when, where or how often, like slowly, tomorrow, outside or always.