1. Grammar for Writing
CLAUSES
Sam An Teng
July 2013
Copyright © All rights reserved.

2. DEFINITION
• Clause is a group of related words that contains at least one
subject and one verb and is used as a sentence or part of a
sentence.
• When a clause has complete meaning on its own, it can be
used as a sentence. But when it has incomplete meaning, it is
used as part of a sentence. Look at the examples below.
– He is a news reporter. (As a sentence)
– She loves music. (As a sentence)
– Where he stays (As part of a sentence)
– Who lives next to my house (As part of a sentence)

3. TYPES OF CLAUSES
• There are two types of clauses: independent clause (or main
clause), and dependent clause (also called subordinate
clause).
• Independent clause – is also called main clause, or principal
clause.
• Dependent clause – is also called sub-clause.

4. Independent Clauses
• An independent clause has a subject and a verb, and can
stand alone as a sentence. For examples,
– They work in marketing department.
– What products are they going to launch this year?
– The company didn't perform well last year.
– What shall we do?

5. Dependent Clauses
• A dependent clause has a subject and a predicate, but it
cannot stand alone as a sentence.
• There are three types of subordinate clauses:
o Noun clauses
o Adjective clauses
o Adverb clauses

6. Dependent Clauses: Noun clauses
• A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun. For
examples,
– What you have proposed is acceptable. (Noun clause)
– Tell me what your marketing strategies are. (Noun clause)

7. Dependent Clauses: Adjective clauses
• An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a
noun or a pronoun. For examples,
– The man who is standing over there is a product
development manager. (Adjective clause)
– His team has come up with products that have more
features for customers. (Adjective clause)

8. Dependent Clauses: Adverb clauses
• An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb,
an adjective, or an adverb. It tells when, where, how, why, to
what extent, or under what conditions. For examples,
– If the products are fit for the customers, we will maintain
sales increase of 10%. (Adverb clause)
– There will be some promotion when the new product are
available. (Adverb clause)

9. Related Topics :
• What is Clause?
• Noun Clause
• Adjective Clause
• Adverb Clause
• Reduced Noun Clause
• Reduced Adjective Clause
• Reduced Adverb Clause

10. MY BOOKS ON KINDLE STORE
Grammar & Composition:
Parts of Speech in English
English Grammar: The Verb Tenses
Phrases and Clauses in English
Short stories:
He Deserves! Sympathy and Love

11. FREE LESSONS ONLINE
• If you wish to read free lessons, please click the links
below:
–http://grammarkit.blogspot.com
–http://thewindlike.blogspot.com