googleNewIconwhatsapp iconTwitterIconinstagramIcon
  1. Home
  2. Blogs
  3. ENGLISH
  4. Clauses
ENGLISH

Fundamentals of Clauses: Meaning, Types, Uses & Worksheet

While learning English grammar, clauses are the primary topic and the first step towards understanding the language rules before you delve into the complex topics. Thus, Clauses in English Grammar plays an important role in making the sentences more meaningful and understandable. However, if you are burning the midnight oil to bifurcate, which sentences are phrases and clauses? Then, we are here to guide you. Therefore, read our blog to explore what are clauses, their types, how they work with other parts of speech and more. Also, solve the worksheet in the end to clear all your doubts. So let’s get started.

Explore everything about clauses meaning, types, how to combine, worksheet, etc.| Gradding.com.

Table of Contents

What is Clause?

Clause is a group of words that comprise a subject and a verb. Additionally, they are a fundamental part of English grammar. Clauses describe a state of a being or an action in a sentence and convey information about what the subject is doing.

For example: -

The brown squirrel flitted up a tree.

In this example subject of the clause is “brown squirrel” and the verb is “flitted”.

Also, it can be created alone as a complete sentence or can be connected to others to make a meaningful sentence. Thus, you can consider clauses as building blocks for framing a sentence.

Hence, this was the clauses meaning that you might have understood. Now, let’s move to the next section to explore its types briefly.

Type of Clauses

 It is crucial to understand how clause performs in a sentence. It can be classified by understanding the two types of clauses that is

  1. Independent clause (Main Clause)
  2. Dependent clause (Subordinate Clause)

These two types acts differently on its place. Let's comprehend these two types of Clauses along with its examples in detail through the next section. So, let's move ahead.

Independent Clauses

The foremost type of clause is the Independent clause (Main Clause). It is a collection of words containing a subject and a verb. This main clause can be stand-alone and form a single meaningful sentence. Hence, it functions as a separate sentence on its own. That is why it is called an independent clause. Let's understand the clause examples mentioned below.

  1. I love baking cakes
  2. The kids ate dinner
  3. His bus is yellow
  4. The office is full of employees
  5. It was my brother's birthday yesterday

As you have evaluated, independent clauses are not so long and complex. However, it can be complex in certain sentences at that time it will be define as simple sentence. Thus, you can use two main clauses together.

This is all about the independent clause (main clause). Let's have a glimpse of dependent clauses in the next part. 

Dependent Clauses

Another clause type is the dependent clause (Subordinate clause), which is also a group of words consisting of subjects, verbs, and a relative pronounce or subordinating conjunction. However, just like the main clause, this subordinate clause doesn't convey the complete meaning of the sentence. That is why it cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause to make a complete sentence. Or you can say it depends on the independent clauses to express the meaning and idea of a sentence. To understand it more clearly have a look at the clauses examples given below.

  1. Although he does his homework
  2. After we reached the station
  3. Everybody knows the girl
  4. We saw a dog barking at the man
  5. When I grow up

This is the incomplete sentences, right? So, to turn this subordinate clause into a proper sentence, you need to assimilate it with the main clause.

  • He was watching cartoons during his study time, although he did his homework in school.
  • After we reached the station, the rain started to pour.
  • Everybody knows the girl, who won the first prize in the drawing competition.
  • When we were waiting for the taxi, we saw a dog barking at the old man.
  • When I grow up, I want to become a chef.

These are examples of dependent clauses being used in sentences. A dependent clause can't stand alone—it needs an independent clause to complete the meaning.

Also, remember this rule: if a dependent clause comes before the main sentence, use a comma to separate them.

This is what we call a subordinate clause. It's simple to use and works with other grammar rules like tenses.

Now, let's see how it fits with other part of speech in English!

How Do Clause Work in English?

Clauses play different roles in English grammar. They can function as nouns, adverbs, adjectives, relatives, conditionals, and even coordinate structures. But how does each type work? Let's explore their meanings and see examples to understand them better.

1. Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a set of words that acts like a noun in a specific sentence. It reflects the name of a thing, place, person, idea, etc. However, it cannot stand alone to make a complete sentence. For that, they depend on the main clause to make a sentence meaningful. It acts as a subject, object, and complement of the verb. Also, the noun clause begins with "what", "that", "who" or "whether".

Example – What he said surprised everyone

"What he said" – subject in the example, work as noun clause (dependent clause)

"Surprised everyone" – object and independent clause used to complete the sentence. 

2. Adverbial Clauses

An adverbial clause is a group of words that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells us when, how, where, why, or under what conditions something happens. These clauses usually begin with subordinating conjunctions, and they need an independent clause to make a complete sentence. Also, the adverbial clause begins with "where," "when," "because," "since," "as," "although," "if," "after," "before," "so that," "until," "while," "once," "unless," "that" and "how,".

Example - When the rain stopped, we went outside to play

"When the rain stopped" – Adverbial clauses (dependent clause)

"We went outside to play" – independent clause used to make it complete. 

3. Adjective Clauses

The adjective clause is a dependent clause that acts as an adjective and assists in providing information regarding the noun and pronoun in a sentence. Moreover, adjective clause usually begin with a relative pronunciation such as" "whom," "whose," who," "which," "that," or "where" to pair to the noun its specifics.

Example - The van that is parked in the driveway is mine

here "That is parked in the driveway" is an adjective clause; inline, it defines the noun "van". It works as an adjective to express which car we are talking about.

4. Relative Clause

The relative clause is a kind of subordinating clause that functions like an adjective. It helps to modify nouns and pronouns. Thus, the relative clause begins with the "who," "whose," "whom" "which," or "that,".

Example – The novel that I brought is interesting and motivational

"That I brought" is a relative clause

Here, this part of the sentence is the relative clause that provides additional details about the noun "book." Hence, it expresses which novel the speaker prefers to read. 

5. Conditional Clauses

The conditional clauses are used to provide information regarding the condition and its significance. It is also known as "if clauses," which are subordinate clauses that can't stand alone in making a complete sentence. The conditional clauses mostly start with the "unless" and "if".

Example – If it rains, the road trip will be cancelled. 

"If it rains" - this is a conditional clause that expresses the condition and also acts as a dependent clause.

"The road trip will be cancelled" – It is the main clause used to complete the sentence.

6. Coordinate Clause

The coordinate clause is a sort of independent clause that can stand alone and make a meaningful sentence. Hence, it expresses the complete idea of the sentence, and by using two main clauses, you can make a whole sentence. Thus, the coordination clause begins with "for," "nor," "or," "yet," "and," "but," and "so,".

Example- He enjoys watching movies, and she prefers reading books

"He enjoys watching movies".

"She prefers reading books".

Both are coordinate clauses combined by adding "and." Thus, each coordinate clause can stand alone.

These are the types of clause that are used differently in the English grammar. Thus, use these clauses in your sentences carefully to express the right meaning and make it significant. Now, let's move ahead and understand how to combine the clauses.

How to Combine Clauses?

When writing a sentence containing two or more independent clauses, you must have combined them by using any conjunction to form a proper verdict. Right? If yes, then always keep in mind that every sentence includes at least one independent clause. So that other sentences can express how you combined the second sentence with the first sentence.

Therefore, a sentence encompassing two or more independent clauses is called a compound sentence. In this type of sentence formation, clauses are connected by a comma and linked with a coordinating conjunction, colon, or semicolon. This type of combination is recognized as coordination.

Additionally, when all the clauses are independent clauses, you can join them by using “coordinating conjunction”. These coordinating conjunctions are:

  1. For
  2. And
  3. Nor
  4. But
  5. Or
  6. Yet
  7. So

Let’s understand with the clauses examples combine with the coordinating conjunctions.

  • I was tired do I slept early
  • I don’t like color pink but I like the color yellow.

In this way, you can combine independent clauses with dependent clauses. Thus, you can practice this by solving the clauses worksheet from the next section. So let’s have a look. 

Clauses Worksheet with Answers: Exercise 1

To understand the clauses, you should practice and solve worksheets that can assist you in sentence formation. In this clause worksheet, you have to identify whether the bolded part is an independent or dependent clause. Once you're done, you can check your answers with the answer key provided.

  1. I will call Mummy whenIreach the office.
  2. She likes to read fiction novels, but her brother prefers playing video games.
  3. Since she was feeling ill, she skipped school.
  4. I don't know what he requires.
  5. Although it was snowing heavily, they continued playing outside.
  6. Sheena went to the store because she needed some species.
  7. The dog that barks loudly belongs to my friend.
  8. Before the show began, we found our place to sit.
  9. My cousin is taller than my brother
  10. Have some French Fries in case you are hungry.

Answers.

  1. Dependent Clause
  2. Independent Clause
  3. Dependent Clause
  4. Dependent Clause
  5. Dependent Clause
  6. Dependent Clause
  7. Dependent Clause
  8. Dependent Clause
  9. Independent Clause
  10. Dependent Clause

Clauses Worksheet with Answers: Exercise 2

This is another clauses worksheet that can help you to understand the clauses perfectly. In this exercise, you have to combine the sentence by using the right coordination conjunctions or subordinate conjunctions. Moreover, cross-check your answer from the answer sheet after completing the exercise. 

  1. Leo is my best friend. He always supports me.
  1. I met a lady. She was very benevolent.
  2. The weather in Germany was bad. We cancelled the flight.
  3. Antonio studies hard. He wants to pass the annual exam with good scores.
  4. I was starving. I ate a burger.
  5. They found the watch. They were looking for them.
  6. I have a friend. He plays the guitar every evening near the park.
  7. The restaurant was closed. We went to another one as it was already midnight.
  8. Rahul likes songs. He likes melodious songs.
  9. The meeting got cancelled. The manager was on leave. 

Answer

  1. Leo is my best friend who always supports me.
  2. I met a lady who was very benevolent.
  3. We cancelled the flight because the weather in Germany was bad.
  4. Antonio studies hard so that he can pass the annual exam with good scores.
  5. I ate a burger because I was starving.
  6. They found the watch which they were looking for.
  7. I have a friend who plays the guitar every evening near the park.
  8. The restaurant was closed so we went to another one as it was already midnight.
  9. Rahul likes songs that are melodious.
  10. The meeting got cancelled because the manager was on leave. 

These are the two clauses worksheets that may have helped you understand the classes and usage in the sentence to make it effective and meaningful. Thus, practice is the key to becoming proficient, so solve more exercises based on clauses. 

Conclusion

In short, clauses are a collection of words consisting of subjects and verbs. Clauses are the fundamental part of English grammar and are usually learned before moving on to topics like tenses, nouns, and adverbs. There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent. One can stand alone and form a complete sentence, while the other one requires an independent clause to make a complete sentence. Thus, we hope this guide might have cleared all your doubts, but if you want to learn another part of speech, like future tense. Then you connect to Gradding.com as experts here will guide you to become proficient.

FAQ

What are clauses and examples?

Answer: Clauses are a group of nouns consisting of subjects and verbs. Moreover, it is an essential building block of sentences used to make meaningful sentences. Its example is the cat sat on the mat; here, the cat is the subject and sat is the verb.

How to identify a clause?

Answer: The simple way to identify the clause is by its core components that is the subject and verb.

What is a clause, and how is it different from a phrase?

Answer: A clause is a collection of words that requires a subject and verb; on the other hand, a phrase is a group of words that don't have both a subject and verb. Look at the example.

Clause – She ran to the shop (she is an object, and ran is a verb)

Phrase – Running to the shop (no subject is doing any action here) 

What is the difference between an independent and a dependent clause?

Answer: Independent clauses can stand alone and form a complete sentence, such as "I like baking." On the other hand, a dependent clause makes sentences that are not completely thoughtful and can't stand alone. For example, "When I grow up" is a dependent clause that will be completed like this: "When I grow up, I want to become a doctor. "Thus, to complete a sentence, an independent clause is required.

english-offer
mostTrusted
Hand Picked Courses
Get Scholarship Assistance
Get Offer in 15 Days*
Finance/Loan Assistance

Gradding Blogs

Want to read more?

explore blogs

disclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.

Copyrights ©2025 Gradding. All rights reserved.
Gradding Rated 4.7/5 based on 4464Reviews