CLAUSES

Clauses are like phrases, but with one big difference. A clause has a subject and a verb, a phrase

does not. Clauses fall into two categories: independent and dependent.

An independent clause can stand by itself as a whole, complete sentence. A dependent (or

subordinate) clause, on the other hand, is dependent on the rest of the sentence; it can’t stand by

itself.

Wanda wore the dress that she had bought on Tuesday.

What’s the subject? Wanda.

What’s the predicate? Wore the dress that she had bought on Tuesday.

Notice that the predicate has two verbs in it—one of them, wore, has Wanda as its subject. The

other, had bought, has she as its subject. Two clauses, each with a subject and a verb. Which

clause can stand by itself?

Wanda wore the dress.

That she had bought on Tuesday.

The first is independent—it looks and feels like a sentence. The second clause is dependent. It

needs to be attached to the other clause; it can’t stand by itself. A dependent clause will be

introduced either by a relative pronoun (that, which, who) or a linking conjunction (after,

although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, while).

Adjective clause

An adjective clause comes right after the noun it modifies.

The lamp, which was a priceless heirloom, lay smashed on the floor.

Adjective clauses begin with the relative pronouns who, whom, whose, which, or that.

Another name for an adjective clause is a relative clause—you can think of it as a clause

related to the noun it modifies.

Bob leaned over to gather up the glass that was on the rug.

Adverb clause

Adverb clauses come right before or right after the independent clause.

Adverb clauses may be introduced by when, before, after, until, since, while, where,

when, as, as if, because, although, while, if, unless, so, so that.

Adverb clauses, just like adverbs, modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Adverb

clauses tend to explain when, where, how, and if.

Bob felt sick when she told him the value of the lamp. (Describes when Bob felt sick, so it

modifies the verb felt.

If he had known how much the lamp was worth, he would have been more careful. (The clause

modifies would have been.)

Practice sentences

1. When the party was assembled at the table, Rocky raised his glass and called for a toast,

and everyone gleefully threw pieces of toast at him.

2. The wedding, which was scheduled to take place at midnight, had been called off sixteen

times so far.

3. After they had eaten, the bride and groom drew mustaches on the sleeping guests.

From Grammar Smart: A Guide to Perfect Usage.