Clauses and sentences

 

Clause and Sentence


Clause

A clause is the basic unit of grammar. A clause must contain a verb. Typically a clause is made up of a subject, a verb phrase, and, sometimes, a compliment. it may or may not give complete meaning.  

  • I’ve eaten.
  • The sale starts at 9 am.
  • I didn’t sleep well last night.
  • Are you listening to the radio?
  • Although he still has his old one... 

 An independent clause (or main clause) makes sense by itself. It expresses a complete thought.

  • Michael bought a new computer. (One independent clause)
  • Michael bought a new computer, but he still has the old one. [Two independent clauses (Coordinating conjunctions don't count as part of the clause.)]
  • Although he still has his old one, Michael now has a new computer. (Only the second clause is independent.)
A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) does not make sense by itself. It does not express a complete thought.

  • Although he still has his old one. (Without the independent clause, a dependent clause is a sentence fragment.)
A dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction, a relative pronoun, or some other word that causes it to become dependent. A dependent clause will make sense only when attached to an independent clause.

  • Although he still has his old one. (Although is a subordinating conjunction.)
  • He still has his old one. (Without the conjunction, the clause becomes independent.)
  • Michael now has a new computer although he still has his old one. (Combined with an independent clause, the dependent clause makes sense.)
Dependent clauses can come after, before, or in the middle of the independent clause.

  • Michael now has a new computer although he still has his old one. (Dependent clause after an independent clause)
  • Although he still has his old one, Michael now has a new computer. (Dependent clause before the independent clause)
  • Michael, although he still has his old one, now has a new computer. (Dependent clause inside the independent clause)

Sentence

A sentence is a unit of grammar. It must contain at least one main clause. It may contain more than one clause. 

  • She spoke to me. (one sentence, one main clause)
  • I looked at her and she smiled at me. (one sentence, two main clauses connected by and)
  • We didn’t go to the show because there weren’t any tickets left. (one sentence, a main clause and a subordinate clause connected by because)