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Definition of Clause: Complex Entry 2 Sense 1B (2) Compound Entry 2 Sense 3B
Definition of Clause: Complex Entry 2 Sense 1B (2) Compound Entry 2 Sense 3B
noun
\ ˈklȯz \
Definition of clause
1: a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member
of a complex (see COMPLEX ENTRY 2 SENSE 1B(2)) or compound
(see COMPOUND ENTRY 2 SENSE 3B) sentenceThe sentence "When it rained they
went inside" consists of two clauses: "when it rained" and "they went inside."
2: a separate section of a discourse (see DISCOURSE ENTRY 1 SENSE 2) or
writingspecifically : a distinct article in a formal documenta clause in a contract
T H E C L A U S E Recognize a clause w hen you see one.
Main Clauses
Cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.
The important point to remember is that every sentence must have at least one main
clause. Otherwise, you have a fragment, a major error.
Subordinate Clauses
As cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter
Anthony ran for the paper towels as cola spilled over the glass
and splashed onto the counter .
That had spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter
Like subordinate clauses, relative clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
You must connect them to main clauses to finish the thought.
The lazy students whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk
eraser soon learned to keep their complaints to themselves.
My dog Floyd, who loves pizza crusts, eats them under the
kitchen table, where he chews and drools with great
enthusiasm.
Anthony ran to get paper towels for the cola that had spilled over
the glass and splashed onto the counter .
Punctuating relative clauses can be tricky. You must decide if the relative clause
is essential or nonessential and then use commas accordingly.
Essential relative clauses do not require commas. A relative clause is essential when
you need the information it provides.
A dog that eats too much pizza will soon develop pepperoni
breath.
Dog is nonspecific. To know which dog we are talking about, we must have the
information in the relative clause. Thus, the relative clause is essential and requires no
commas.
If, however, we revise dog and choose more specific words instead, the relative clause
becomes nonessential and does require commas to separate it from the rest of the
sentence.
My dog Floyd, who eats too much pizza, has developed pepperoni
breath.
Noun Clauses
Any clause that functions as a noun becomes a noun clause. Look at this example:
Ingredients = noun.
You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her
stew.
Examples:
He ran. (Notice that while this sentence only contains two words, it is
still a complete sentence because it contains a one word subject and a
one word predicate that is also a complete thought.)
He ran fast.
I was late to work.
The paper does not specify which type of format it must be in.
The instructor spent the class period reviewing the difference between
independent and dependent clauses.
Examples:
Note: Just because an independent clause can stand on its own doesn’t mean
it has to. For instance, one or more independent clauses can be added
together to form a compound sentence, and independent clauses can be
added to dependent clauses to form complex sentences. (More on the
different types of sentences)
Catherine Traffis
BASICS
independent clause. This word or phrase indicates that a clause has informative value
A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a clause with two specific
qualities. Firstly, it does not express a complete unit of thought on its own; it cannot
stand as its own sentence. Secondly, it depends upon an independent clause—one that
can stand on its own as a complete sentence—to form a complete idea. If independent
and dependent clauses could be likened to Batman and Robin, the dependent,
subordinate clause and a main clause. On its own, a clause beginning with becauseis
incomplete.
We have the sense that there is something missing here. Let’s add an independent
Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer because he wouldn’t wear a seatbelt.
In this sentence, “Robin wasn’t allowed in the Batmobile any longer” is an independent
clause. It could stand on its own as a complete sentence. A clause that shows a causal
function in the same way are for, as, since, therefore, hence, as a result,
consequently, though, due to, provided that, because of, unless, as a result
Batman required strict compliance with seat belt rules, hence Robin was not allowed to
ride in the Batmobile.
Since Robin refused to wear his seat belt, Batman has banned him from the Batmobile.
Subordinating Conjunctions Signaling Relationships of Time or Place
conjunctions are once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after.
Once Batman learned that Robin had not been wearing his seatbelt, he took away his
keys to the Batmobile.
After Batman was done working for the night, Robin took a secret ride in the Batmobile.
Before Robin gets his job in the Batcave back, he must promi
Subordinating conjunctions that fall in the middle of a sentence are generally not
conjunctions, or words that join two independent clauses (for, and, nor, but, or,
When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, however, the whole clause (but not the