This document defines clauses and describes the two main types: independent and dependent clauses. It provides examples of each. Independent clauses can stand alone as a sentence, while dependent clauses cannot. There are three types of dependent clauses: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses. Examples of each type are given. The document also lists related topics and provides links to free online grammar lessons.

1. Grammar for Writing
CLAUSES
Sam An Teng
July 2013
Copyright © All rights reserved.

2. DEFINITION
• Clause is a group of related words that contains at least one
subject and one verb and is used as a sentence or part of a
sentence.
• When a clause has complete meaning on its own, it can be
used as a sentence. But when it has incomplete meaning, it is
used as part of a sentence. Look at the examples below.
– He is a news reporter. (As a sentence)
– She loves music. (As a sentence)
– Where he stays (As part of a sentence)
– Who lives next to my house (As part of a sentence)

3. TYPES OF CLAUSES
• There are two types of clauses: independent clause (or main
clause), and dependent clause (also called subordinate
clause).
• Independent clause – is also called main clause, or principal
clause.
• Dependent clause – is also called sub-clause.

4. Independent Clauses
• An independent clause has a subject and a verb, and can
stand alone as a sentence. For examples,
– They work in marketing department.
– What products are they going to launch this year?
– The company didn't perform well last year.
– What shall we do?

5. Dependent Clauses
• A dependent clause has a subject and a predicate, but it
cannot stand alone as a sentence.
• There are three types of subordinate clauses:
o Noun clauses
o Adjective clauses
o Adverb clauses

6. Dependent Clauses: Noun clauses
• A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun. For
examples,
– What you have proposed is acceptable. (Noun clause)
– Tell me what your marketing strategies are. (Noun clause)

7. Dependent Clauses: Adjective clauses
• An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a
noun or a pronoun. For examples,
– The man who is standing over there is a product
development manager. (Adjective clause)
– His team has come up with products that have more
features for customers. (Adjective clause)

8. Dependent Clauses: Adverb clauses
• An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb,
an adjective, or an adverb. It tells when, where, how, why, to
what extent, or under what conditions. For examples,
– If the products are fit for the customers, we will maintain
sales increase of 10%. (Adverb clause)
– There will be some promotion when the new product are
available. (Adverb clause)

9. Related Topics :
• What is Clause?
• Noun Clause
• Adjective Clause
• Adverb Clause
• Reduced Noun Clause
• Reduced Adjective Clause
• Reduced Adverb Clause

10. MY BOOKS ON KINDLE STORE
Grammar & Composition:
Parts of Speech in English
English Grammar: The Verb Tenses
Phrases and Clauses in English
Short stories:
He Deserves! Sympathy and Love

11. FREE LESSONS ONLINE
• If you wish to read free lessons, please click the links
below:
–http://grammarkit.blogspot.com
–http://thewindlike.blogspot.com