Clauses are the foundation of English sentences. A clause is typically defined as related words that contain a subject and a predicate.
There are two types of clauses: dependent and independent. A dependent (subordinate) clause is an incomplete thought that cannot stand alone as a sentence. An independent (main) clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence.
Full sentence: Although it is raining, I am going out for a run.
Dependent clause (incomplete thought): Although it (subject) is raining (predicate)
Independent clause (complete thought): I (subject) am going out for a run (predicate).
Dependent Clauses: A Closer Look
As mentioned, being a clause, a dependent clause has a subject and a predicate but cannot stand alone. It is subordinated by a conjunction or a relative pronoun, making it depend on a main clause for completion.
Examples
After (subordinating conjunction) I (subject) leave work (predicate)
The guitar that (subordinating relative pronoun) I (subject) like (predicate)
What (subordinating relative pronoun) the decision (subject) will be (predicate)
You can see that the clauses are fragments. Although each has a subject and a verb, it remains unfinished.
Because they are fragmentary and dependent, these clauses serve the main clause as modifiers or as nouns. They are generally classified as adverb, adjective or noun clauses.
Examples
After I leave work, I will stop at the grocery store. (The dependent clause serves as an adverb for the main clause.)
The guitar that I like is for sale. (The dependent clause serves as an adjective for the subject.)
What the decision will be remains to be seen. (The dependent clause serves as the noun of the sentence.)
You may notice that introductory dependent clauses with a subordinating conjunction are typically followed by a comma before the main clause begins. The comma can sometimes be omitted if the dependent clause follows the main clause.
Examples
After I leave work, I will stop at the grocery store.
I will stop at the grocery store after I leave work.
Independent Clauses: A Closer Look
As mentioned, an independent clause contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a full thought. It does not need (depend on) another clause to be finished.
Examples
I will stop at the grocery store.
The guitar is for sale.
I am going out for a run.
Also as we’ve discussed, independent clauses can be modified by dependent clauses. In addition, they can be joined to other independent clauses by a coordinating conjunction, a colon or a semicolon.
If connected by a coordinating conjunction, independent clauses are often separated by a comma, particularly if they are longer sentences. Shorter independent clauses might sometimes omit the comma depending on the chosen style.
Examples
The fence needs to be repainted, and I will take care of it soon. (longer independent clauses connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction)
You scrape the fence and I’ll paint it. (shorter independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction without a comma)
The fence needs to be repainted; I will take care of it soon. (independent clauses connected by a semicolon)
The fence color is fading: It’s time to repaint it. (independent clauses connected by a colon)