What Is A Clause in A Sentence?

What is a clause in a sentence?
A clause is a group of words with a (s) subject and a (v) verb.
For example:
(s) Computers (v) are important.
= 1 sentence with 1 clause.
We can have two clauses though i.e. two groups of words with a subject and a verb:
Computers are important, but they are dangerous too.
= 1 sentence with 2 clauses.
How about three sentence clauses?
Computers are important, but they can be dangerous too, so we must be careful.
Now let's add a fourth!
Computers are important, but they can be dangerous too, so we must

be careful when we use them.
You'll have noticed then that a sentence is not the same thing as a clause.
A sentence is the group of words that comes between two full-stops and it must be

a complete thought that makes sense.
So sentence clauses are what build a sentence, and one sentence can have a number
of clauses.
What if there is no subject and verb?

It's important t know the difference between phrases and clauses.
If there is no subject or verb in part of the sentence, then this may be a phrase.
For example:
(p) In many countries around the world, flooding is becoming more common.
A phrase is a group of words without a subject and verb (a phrase on its own obviously
cannot be a sentence because every sentence has a subject and a verb!).
You should now know the difference between a sentence, a clause and a phrase. Time
to practice!
Sentence Clauses Practice
Look at the sentences with clauses below, and put a check in the correct box to say how many clauses
each sentence has.
Look carefully for the subjects and verbs. This will help you identify the clauses.
1. I'm going out tonight so I must get ready soon.
2. Global warming is a major problem, but it can be solved if we take action now.
3. Obesity is getting worse now in developing countries.
4. I don't know when I will be able to stop studying because I have many more exams.
5. It's cold outside so I'm going to stay in.
6. Although cars are essential, they cause a lot of pollution, so governments must take action soon, and
individuals also need to play a role.
7. Why were you so late?
8. He said that he will come to see me tomorrow.
9. It is important to be on time, but it is ok to be late when you have an emergency.
10. I felt unwell when I ate the food, so I'll probably not eat at the restaurant again, but I think my friend
will.
There are two types of clause:

 An independent clause (one that can stand alone as a sentence).
 A dependent clause (one that is usually a supporting part of a
sentence).
In these three quotations, the independent clauses are shown in bold and the
dependent clauses aren't.
 Even though I made $800 million, I am still grounded. (Boxer Floyd
Mayweather)
(The independent clause could be a standalone sentence, but the
dependent clause couldn't.
 A computer once beat me at chess but was no match for me at
kick boxing. (Louis Hector Berlioz)
 After I die, I'll be forgotten. (Anon)
The opening words of the dependent clauses above ("Even though," "but,"
and "After") are all subordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions link
a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Relative clause
A relative clause is one connected to a main clause by a word such
as which, that, whom, whose, when, where, or who:
I first saw her in

where I lived in the early nineties.
Paris,
[main clause] [relative clause]
She wants to be with

who is best suited to take care of her.
Thomas,
I was wearing the

that I bought to wear to Jo's party.
dress

Restrictive relative clause
A restrictive relative clause (also known as a defining relative clause) gives
essential information about a noun that comes before it: without this clause the
sentence wouldn’t make much sense. A restrictive relative clause can be introduced
by that, which, whose, who, or whom. You should not place a comma in front of a
restrictive relative clause:
√ She held out the
which was hurt.
hand
√ She held out the hand that was hurt.
[main clause] [restrictive relative clause]
You can also leave out that or which in some restrictive relative clauses:

√ It reminded him of the house that he used to rent in Oxford.
which he used to rent in

√ It reminded him of the house
Oxford.
√ It reminded him of the house he used to rent in Oxford.
[main clause] [restrictive relative clause]
Non-restrictive relative clause

A non-restrictive relative clause (also called a non-defining relative clause)
provides extra information that could be left out without affecting the meaning or
structure of the sentence. Non-restrictive relative clauses are normally introduced
by which, whose, who, or whom, but never by that. You should place a comma in
front of them:
She held out her hand, which Rob shook.
[main clause] [non-restrictive relative clause]
If a non-restrictive relative clause is in the middle of a sentence, you should put
commas before and after it:
Bill who had fallen asleep on the
suddenly roused himself.
, sofa,
[non-restrictive relative clause]

What Is A Clause in A Sentence?

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What is a clause in a sentence?

A clause is a group of words with a (s) subject and a (v) verb.

(s) Computers (v) are important.

= 1 sentence with 1 clause.

= 1 sentence with 2 clauses.

How about three sentence clauses?

Computers are important, but they can be dangerous too, so we must be careful.

= 1 sentence with 3 clauses.

Now let's add a fourth!

Computers are important, but they can be dangerous too, so we must

= 1 sentence with 4 clauses.

A sentence is the group of words that comes between two full-stops and it must be

What if there is no subject and verb?

(p) In many countries around the world, flooding is becoming more common.

Sentence Clauses Practice

1. I'm going out tonight so I must get ready soon.

3. Obesity is getting worse now in developing countries.

5. It's cold outside so I'm going to stay in.

7. Why were you so late?

8. He said that he will come to see me tomorrow.

9. It is important to be on time, but it is ok to be late when you have an emergency.

There are two types of clause:

I first saw her in

[main clause] [relative clause]

She wants to be with

[main clause] [relative clause]

I was wearing the

[main clause] [relative clause]

√ She held out the hand that was hurt.

[main clause] [restrictive relative clause]

You can also leave out that or which in some restrictive relative clauses:

which he used to rent in

√ It reminded him of the house he used to rent in Oxford.

[main clause] [restrictive relative clause]

Non-restrictive relative clause

[main clause] [non-restrictive relative clause]

[non-restrictive relative clause]

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