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ClausesA clause is a group of words which contains both a subject and a verb. There are two important types of clauses to recognize: independent clauses and dependent (or subordinate) clauses. Independent Clauses:contain both a subject and a verb and express a complete thought Examples: (Subjects are italicized and verbs are underlined)
Dependent Clauses:contain both a subject and a verb but do not express a complete thought and so depend upon another clause to form a complete sentence Examples:
Notice that each of the above examples begins with a subordinating conjunction (a word that introduces a dependent clause). Subordinating conjunctions can be recognized by the fact that they show a relationship between the two clauses. Common subordinating conjunctions include: after, although, as, as if, because, before, if, since, so that, though, unless, until, when, and while. The words who, whom, which, and that are relative pronouns because they serve the function of a subordinating conjunction AND relate the dependent clause to a person or object in the independent clause. Example: Sarah, who is going to the movie with us, has already seen "Empire Records" six times.
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