What is a clause? A clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a predicate. It is different from a phrase in that a phrase does not include a subject and a verb relationship.

Clauses come in different types: Independent [or main], Dependent [or Subordinate ] Main clauses have a subject and a predicate and express a complete thought. Main clauses can stand alone as sentences. Main clauses will follow the pattern bellow: subject + predicate = complete thought. Examples: Lazy students whine. Lazy students = subject; whine = predicate My dog loves pizza crusts. My dog = subject; loves pizza crusts = predicate

Dependent Clauses cannot stand alone as a sentence. Dependent Clauses have a subject and a predicate, but DO NOT express a complete thought. Dependent Clauses cannot stand alone as a sentence. Subordinate clauses will follow this pattern: subordinate conjunction + subject + verb = incomplete thought. Examples: Whenever lazy students whine. Whenever = subordinate conjunction; lazy students = subject; whine = predicate Because my dog loves pizza crusts. Because = subordinate conjunction; my dog = subject; loves = predicate

There are 3 types of dependent clauses: adjective or relative clauses, adverbial clauses and nominal clauses. Adjective/relative clauses: modify (describe) a noun or a pronoun. Example: I have a neighbor who comes from Italy.

2. Adverbial clauses: modify (describe) a verb, an adjective or an adverb. tell when, where, how, why, to what extent, or under what conditions. Examples: Before I took the test, I studied hard. While walking, she listens to the radio. 3. Nouns clauses: work as a subject, a direct and indirect object, an object of a preposition or a predicate nominate. Example: You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew.