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Clause: Subject Verb
Clause: Subject Verb
A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. (A clause functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a
noun.)
A clause contrasts with a phrase, which does not contain a subject and a verb. The distinction between a clause and
a phrase is clearer when you see them side by side:
when she wakes up.
(This is a clause. It has a subject ("she") and a verb ("wakes
Anna up").)
sings...
in the morning.
(This is a phrase. There is no subject and no verb.)
Look at the second example. When an adjective clause is just additional information, then it is offset with commas.
(Put another way, the subject of the sentence is "Michael Carroll.") If you'd happily put brackets around the clause or
delete it, then it should be offset with commas.
You went through a phase when you dyed your hair purple. (There is no comma because
the clause is needed to identify the phase. A clause that's necessary for identification is called a restrictive
clause.)
You went through a punk phase, when you dyed your hair purple.
(There is a comma because the phase has already been identified as the punk phase. The clause is just
additional information. A clause that's just additional information is called a non-restrictive clause.)
You went through a mod phase, when you started school, a punk phase when you dyed your hair
If you'd happily put your clause in brackets or delete it, then use commas because it must be non-essential.
When the game has finished, the king and pawn go in the same box. (Italian Proverb)
The king and pawn go in the same box when the game has finished.
When your adverbial clause (or phrase for that matter) is at the front of a sentence (often called a "fronted adverbial"),
it is good practice to use a comma afterwards (as in the first sentence above). When it's at the back, the comma
tends to be omitted (as in the second sentence).
This "rule" works well with most adverbial clauses (which tend to be adverbs of time, place, or condition). Look at the
commas after the fronted adverbials in these examples:
When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less. (NFL coach Paul Brown)
lawyers.
Adverbial Clauses of Condition
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. (Businesswoman Mary Kay
Ash)
You can if you think you can. You're right if you think you can't.
Key Points
If your clause is needed to identify your noun, don't offset it with commas.
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does