What Are The 7 Types Of Clauses?

What Are The 7 Types Of Clauses? There are seven types of clauses: independent, dependent, noun, adjectival, adverbial, verbal’s, and deverbal. Each type has a specific purpose in a sentence. Clauses can be simple or complex. In this lesson, we will have a closer look at each type of clause and see how they are used in sentences.

What is a Clause in English?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. In other words, it is a complete thought. There are two types of clauses in English: independent and dependent. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence; it does not need help from any other clauses to make sense. A dependent clause, on the other hand, cannot stand alone and must be attached to an independent clause in order to form a complete sentence.

There are three main types of dependent clauses: adverbial, relative, and noun. Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs; they typically begin with words like “when,” “where,” or “although.” Relative clauses provide information about a noun or pronoun; they usually begin with words like “who,” “that,” or “which.” Noun clauses act as the subject or object of a verb; they typically begin with words like “whether” or “that.” By understanding the different types of clauses, you can more effectively communicate in English. Clauses are an important part of learning the language, so it is essential to understand how they work.

Definition of Clause

A clause is a grammatical unit that contains at least a subject and a verb. A clause may be either independent (also known as the main clause) or dependent (also known as a subordinate clause). An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot. Dependent clauses are often introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “when,” “since,” “if,” “after,” and “although.”

For example, the sentence “I will go to the party if you come with me” contains two clauses: the dependent clause “if you come with me” and the independent clause “I will go to the party.” Clauses are also classified according to their purpose: some clauses state facts or opinions (known as declarative or indicative clauses), while others pose questions (known as interrogative clauses) or issue commands (known as imperative clauses).

In addition, some clauses express wishes or desires (known as exclamatory clauses), while others express conditions or qualifications (known as conditional clauses). As this overview demonstrates, clauses play a vital role in the structure of English sentences. By understanding how they work, we can create more complex and effective sentences.

7 Types of Clauses and Examples

Now that we have a general understanding of what a clause is, let’s take a closer look at the different types of clauses in English.

1. Independent Clauses

An independent clause is a complete sentence; it contains a subject and a verb, and it can stand alone as a coherent unit. For example:

• The sun was shining. (Subject = sun, verb = was shining)
• He played soccer. (Subject = he, verb = played)
• I am happy. (Subject = I, verb = am)
• She will come with us. (Subject = she, verb = will come)

As these examples illustrate, an independent clause simply expresses a complete thought. It does not need any help from other clauses to make sense.

2. Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

For example:

• When she arrived at the party… (Subject = she, verb = arrived)
• Because I was early… (Subject = I, verb = was)
• If you come with me… (Subject = you, verb = come)
• Unless we leave soon… (Subject = we, verb = leave)

Dependent clauses typically begin with subordinating conjunctions such as “when,” “since,” “if,” “after,” and “although.” They usually provide additional information about the independent clause. In the examples above, the dependent clause provides information about when she arrived, why I was early, what you need to do, and when we need to leave.

3. Adverbial Clauses

An adverbial clause is a type of dependent clause that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

For example:

• I will go to the party if you come with me. (Modifies the verb “will go”)
• The sun was shining brightly despite the clouds. (Modifies the adjective “shining”)
• He played soccer very well. (Modifies the adverb “well”)

Adverbial clauses typically begin with words like “when,” “where,” or “although.” As these examples illustrate, they often provide information about when, where, or how something happened.

4. Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a type of dependent clause that functions as a noun in a sentence.

For example:

• That he was early was surprising. (Noun clause functioning as the subject)
• I know that you are tired. (Noun clause functioning as the direct object)
• Do you see what I mean? (Noun clause functioning as the indirect object)

Noun clauses typically begin with words like “that,” “whether,” and “who.” As these examples illustrate, they can function as the subject, direct object, or indirect object in a sentence.

5. Relative Clauses

A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.

For example:

• The man who was early is now gone. (Relative clause modifying the noun “man”)
• The woman whose car is broken down needs a ride. (Relative clause modifying the pronoun “woman”)

Relative clauses typically begin with words like “who,” “whose,” and “which.” As these examples illustrate, they provide additional information about the noun or pronoun that they modify.

6. Gerund Clauses

A gerund clause is a type of dependent clause that uses a gerund (i.e., a verb ending in “-ing”) as its subject.

For example:

• His favorite hobby is playing soccer. (Gerund clause with the gerund “playing” as the subject)
• I don’t like arriving late. (Gerund clause with the gerund “arriving” as the subject)

Gerund clauses typically begin with words like “although,” “because,” and “since.”

7. Infinitive Clauses

An infinitive clause is a type of dependent clause that uses an infinitive (i.e., a verb starting with “to”) as its verb.

For example:

• He likes to play soccer. (Infinitive clause with the infinitive “to play” as the verb)
• I wanted to go to the party. (Infinitive clause with the infinitive “to go” as the verb)

Infinitive clauses typically begin with words like “although,” “because,” and “since.”

12 Examples of Clauses

1. I will go to the party if you come with me.
2. The sun was shining brightly despite the clouds.
3. He played soccer very well.
4. That he was early was surprising.
5. I know that you are tired.
6. Do you see what I mean?
7. The man who was early is now gone.
8. The woman whose car is broken down needs a ride.
9. His favorite hobby is playing soccer.
10. I don’t like arriving late.
11. He likes to play soccer.
12. I wanted to go to the party.”