1.GrammarA group of words containing a subject and a predicate and forming part of a compound or complex sentence. 2.A distinct article, stipulation, or provision in a document. [Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latinclausa,close of a rhetorical period, from feminine of Latin...
In a general sense, clauses can be understood as groups of words that consist of a subject and a predicate. They are the parts of a sentence that holds meaning in itself. However, that is not all. There are diffe...
as shown by the examples [below]. Their other key property is that they are adjuncts, since they are typically optional constituents in sentences. They are traditionally classified according to their meaning—for example, adverbial clauses of reason, time, concession, manner or condition,...
7. When an adjective clause is non-restrictive (gives an extra piece of information not essential to the overall meaning of the sentence), separate it with commas from the rest of the sentence. Do not use that with non-restrictive adjective clauses. The hotel that was built in 1830 has a...
As noted earlier,a sentence can have more than one clause.This is what makes the term ‘clause’ an important concept in grammar. The purpose of learning the term ‘clause’ is to distinguish parts of a sentence which can stand alone as a simple sentence to give complete meaning. This hel...
A restrictive clause restricts or defines the meaning of the noun. You cannot remove it from the sentence because the information is vital. For example: The members who enrolled in the course are eager to learn. Who enrolled in the course is essential in the sentence. So you cannot separate...
Classifying clauses in English When it comes to expressing a complete thought, a clause falls between aphraseand a sentence. In many cases, a clause can function as its own sentence. A phrase, in contrast, can’t. Here’s a quick look at the difference between a phrase and a clause: ...
InEnglish grammar, a"wh"-clauseis asubordinate clausethat's introduced by one of thewh-words(what, who, which, when, where, why, how).Wh-clauses can function assubjects,objects, orcomplements. "An important aspect ofwh-clauses," notes Geoffrey Leech, "is that they require thewh-element...
Definition of clause noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
A that-clause is often used to introduce acomplement(not “compliment”), or a word or words added to a sentence to complete its meaning. Used in this way, neither clause can stand alone: Do you acceptthat you were wrong? Do you accept?