Clause

A clause is a group of words that has at least a finite verb. A clause can be different from a phrase which does not have finite verb ( see, the people of our country, for a long time, writing on the board).

Types:

1. An independent clause: It expresses a complete thought (It is more like a sentence).

2. A dependent clause: It is usually a supporting part of a long sentence, and it cannot complete its meaning without taking help from the main clause.

Examples of Independent Clauses

Here are some examples of independent clauses (Italic):

• The man whom we saw last night was not a thief.
• If you do not tell me the truth I will be disheartened.
• We actually did not know that he was a psychologist.

NB. There is not fixed position of an independent clause. It can be at the very beginning of a sentence or middle and even at the end.

Examples of Dependent Clauses

Here are the same examples with the dependent clauses shaded:

• Tara ate a cheese roll after she watched the news.
• Even though his mother was a driving instructor, my cousin failed his driving test six times.
• A computer once beat me at chess but was no match for me at kick boxing.

Note: These three dependent clauses (or subordinate clauses as they're also called) could have been independent clauses. However, the opening word(s) (in these examples after, Even though, and but) turned them into dependent clauses. The opening words are known as dependent words, the main type of which is subordinating conjunctions.

How Are Clauses Used in Sentences?

Clauses can play a variety of roles in sentences. A clause can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Noun Clauses

• I cannot remember what I said last night.

(In this example, the clause acts like a noun.)

Compare the example above to this:

• I cannot remember my speech.

(Speech = noun)

Adjective Clauses

My dog, who usually refuses to go near the water, dived in the canal to chase a water vole.

(In this example, the clause acts like an adjective.)

Compare the example above to this:

• My water-shy dog dived in the canal to chase a water vole.

(Water-shy = adjective)

• The man who lives next door is getting ruder.

(This is an example of a restrictive clause. You cannot remove it. There are no commas.)

• Councillor Simon Smith, who lives next door, is getting ruder.

(This is an example of a non-restrictive clause. You can remove it. It's just additional information. That's why there are commas around it.)

Adverbial Clauses

• He lost his double chin after he gave up beer.

(In this example, the clause acts like an adverb.)

Compare the example above to this:

• He lost his double chin recently.

(Recently = adverb)

Collected from: http://www.english-bangla.com/grammar