English Grammar : Clauses

Topics

1. Clauses

2. Independent clause

3. Dependent clause

   
   

Clauses

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. They can be categorized into two types: independent and dependent.

Independent Clause

An independent clause is a complete idea that can stand alone as a full sentence. It includes a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

• Example: "The dog barks loudly." This sentence is an independent clause because it conveys a complete idea and doesn't need additional information to be understood.

More Examples :

1. The sun sets in the west, and the sky turns orange.

2. She completed her homework, but she forgot to bring it to school.

3. The cat slept on the windowsill, while the dog played in the yard.

4. They went to the beach, so they could relax and enjoy the sun.

5. I love reading books, but I don't have much time these days.

6. He runs every morning, because it keeps him healthy.

7. The train arrived on time, yet the passengers were still late.

8. We cooked dinner together, and then we watched a movie.

9. The flowers bloomed beautifully, even though it rained heavily.

10. She plays the piano every evening, and her music fills the house.

In these sentences, each independent clause (e.g., "The sun sets in the west") can stand alone as a complete sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

English Grammar : Clauses

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause also has a subject and a verb, but it can't stand alone as a sentence. It depends on an independent clause to provide a complete meaning. Dependent clauses often begin with words like "because," "if," "when," or "although."

• Example: "When the dog barks loudly." This is a dependent clause because it doesn’t form a complete thought by itself. It needs an independent clause to make sense, as in "When the dog barks loudly, the neighbors hear it." Here, "The neighbors hear it" is the independent clause that completes the idea.

Using both independent and dependent clauses helps create detailed and complex sentences, making our writing richer and more informative.

More Examples :

1. Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.

2. Because she was tired, she went to bed early.

3. Whenever he visits his grandparents, they bake cookies together.

4. If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.

5. While the children were playing, their parents prepared lunch.

6. Since I missed the bus, I had to walk to school.

7. Unless you study hard, you won’t pass the exam.

8. After the movie ended, we went out for ice cream.

9. As soon as the sun rises, the birds start singing.

10. Though he is new to the job, he is already performing well.

In these sentences, each dependent clause (e.g., "Although it was raining") cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on the main clause for meaning.

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