📘 Clauses Rules & Uses

1. What is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb). Clauses can be independent or dependent.

2. Types of Clauses

• Independent/Main Clause: Can stand alone as a sentence. Example: “She went to school.”
• Dependent/Subordinate Clause: Cannot stand alone. Needs a main clause. Example: “Because she was tired, she went to bed.”

3. Common Types of Dependent Clauses

• Adjective Clause: Describes a noun. Begins with who, which, that. Example: “The boy who is tall is my friend.”
• Adverb Clause: Describes verb/adjective/adverb. Begins with because, although, when, if, etc. Example: “I stayed home because it rained.”
• Noun Clause: Acts as a noun. Begins with that, what, whatever, who, whether, etc. Example: “I know that he is honest.”

4. Rules for Using Clauses

• Dependent clauses cannot stand alone; always connect to a main clause.
• Adjective clauses should follow the noun they describe.
• Adverb clauses can come at the start, middle, or end of a sentence.
• Use correct conjunctions: because, although, if, when, while, until, etc.
• Noun clauses can act as subject, object, or complement.
• Place commas correctly: if an adverb clause comes at the start, use a comma after it; no comma if it comes at the end.
• Ensure subject-verb agreement inside clauses.
• Keep pronouns clear in adjective clauses to avoid confusion.

5. Examples for Practice

• Adjective: “The girl who won the prize is my sister.”
• Adverb: “I stayed home because it rained.”
• Noun: “What he said made me happy.”
• Independent: “She sings beautifully.”