Clauses
When a group of related words contains a subject and a verb it becomes known as a clause.
Clauses can be combined in three different ways: coordination, subordination, or using a punctuation mark, the semicolon.
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Independent Clauses
Clauses that can stand by themselves and still make sense are called independent clauses. When a clause acts as an independent unit, it is usually referred to as a sentence.
Subordinate Clauses
Clauses which need an independent clause to make sense are called dependent or subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause depends on an independent clause for its meaning. The subordinate clause is created by using a subordinating conjunction or a dependent word.
Nominal Clauses
A nominal clause modifies (or tells us more about) a noun. They follow a relative pronoun: that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whose, whosever, whomever.
Relative Clauses
A relative clause, also known as adjective or adjectival clause, gives more information about a noun and functions as an adjective. It answers the questions what kind?, how many?, which one?
