Learning words that are used to classify and refer to clause can be challenging to some people. Clauses are categorized into dependent and independent clauses. This classification simply means there are some clauses that can create meaning on their own and others that can’t. A dependent clause can also be called a subordinate clause.
An independent clause is simply a sentence that is complete. It contains a verb and a subject and together they are able to give a complete sentence in meaning and in context.
An example is:The door opened
Independent clauses can be joined together by a coordinating conjunction to come up with sentences that are called compound or complex sentences.
Coordinating conjunctions – and, but, for, so, nor, or and yet.
Example in a sentence: he opened the door ‘and’ the teacher walked in
A dependent clause is simply a part of a sentence. They contain a verb and a subject, but they cannot fully convey a thought that can be understood. They can make some sense on their own, but they require the other part of the sentence for them to have meaning and context. In most cases they are joined to independent clauses to come up with compound sentences.
Mostly dependent clauses start with subordinating conjunctions/relative pronouns – this makes it even harder for them to stand alone.
Subordinating conjunctions – although, as, because, even if, after, even though, wherever etc.
Example: the bottle broke ‘because’ the man kicked it.
Dependent clauses can play a number of roles – they can be adverbial, nominal or adjectival clauses. A nominal clause acts like the noun or a noun phrase in the sentence. It’s mostly a groups of word that contain a finite verb and a subject and contains: if | that | whether.
Example: we ‘wonder’ whether he went home.
Noun clauses will tend to answer the questions what? Who or whom?
An adverbial clause is a phrase in a sentence that acts like the adverb. It tell you more about how the action was done. An adverbial clause is separated from the others using some of the following subordinating conjunctions: until | unless | until | when | where | while | before | though | since etc.
Example: he will come to see you ‘before’ he drives.
Adverbial clauses can be placed in front of a main clause and the main meaning is maintained.
Example: before he drives, he will come to see you.
There are relative clauses that follow the noun they are modifying. They are mainly indicated using a relative pronoun – which is usually at the start of the sentence. You can also tell by just looking at the word order of the sentence.
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