Clauses are essential parts of English sentences. Each one contains a subject and a verb, but not all clauses serve the same purpose. Some can stand alone as complete thoughts, while others rely on additional words to make sense.
Understanding the different types of clauses helps you build better sentences, improve your grammar, and write more clearly. In this guide, you’ll explore how clauses are classified by structure and function, along with clear examples for each type.
Independent and Dependent Clauses
All clauses fall into one of two main categories: independent or dependent. Knowing the difference is the first step to understanding sentence structure.
Independent Clauses
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete idea. That means it can stand alone as a sentence.
- The children played outside.
This sentence is clear and complete. It doesn’t rely on any other words to make sense.
Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause also has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete idea. It depends on an independent clause to form a full sentence.
- Because the children played outside
On its own, this group of words leaves the thought incomplete. You expect more information to follow.
Writers often combine both types of clauses to build longer, more detailed sentences.
Types of Dependent Clauses
Dependent clauses come in different forms, depending on the role they play in a sentence. The three main types are noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverbial clauses.
Noun Clauses
A noun clause acts as a noun. It can be the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
- What you said made everyone laugh. (subject)
- I didn’t hear what he asked. (object)
These clauses often begin with words like that, what, who, whether, or if.
Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses)
An adjective clause describes a noun or pronoun. It gives more detail about the word it follows.
- The student who won the contest is in my class.
- She wore the dress that she bought last week.
These clauses begin with relative pronouns such as who, which, that, or whose.
Adverbial Clauses
An adverbial clause adds information about time, reason, contrast, condition, or manner. It modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.
- My kids stayed inside because it was raining.
- Although he was tired, he kept working.
These clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions like because, although, if, when, while, or since.
Adverbial clauses can be further divided by function, such as time clauses, conditional clauses, and concessive clauses.
Other Classifications of Clauses
Beyond their basic structure and function, clauses can also be grouped by the type of verb they use. This leads to another distinction: finite and non-finite clauses.
Finite Clauses
A finite clause contains a verb that shows tense. It clearly indicates time—past, present, or future.
- She cooks dinner every evening.
- They were walking to school.
Both examples include a verb (cooks, were walking) that shows when the action happens.
Non-Finite Clauses
A non-finite clause has a verb that does not show tense. These clauses often use infinitives (to read), present participles (reading), or past participles (tired from work).
- To finish the project on time, we worked late.
- Feeling tired, he took a nap.
These clauses add information but don’t act as complete sentences on their own.
This classification is especially useful in advanced grammar and academic writing, where clause structure affects clarity and flow.
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses
Clauses that describe nouns—also known as adjective clauses or relative clauses—can be either restrictive or non-restrictive. The difference affects both meaning and punctuation.
Restrictive Clauses
A restrictive clause gives essential information about the noun. It limits or defines which person or thing you’re talking about. These clauses are not separated by commas.
- Students who arrive late must wait outside.
This clause tells us which students—only those who arrive late.
Non-Restrictive Clauses
A non-restrictive clause adds extra information that isn’t needed to identify the noun. It’s always set off with commas.
- My brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
We already know which brother. The clause just adds a detail.
Getting this distinction right is important not just for grammar, but also for sentence clarity and meaning.
Common Confusions and Tips
With so many types and labels, it’s easy to get mixed up when learning about clauses. Here are a few common areas of confusion—and how to handle them.
Don’t Mix Up Clause Types with Sentence Types
Clauses are parts of sentences. A compound sentence, for example, uses two independent clauses. A complex sentence includes at least one dependent clause. Understanding this helps you focus on how clauses work inside larger structures.
Not All Clauses Can Stand Alone
Just because a clause has a subject and verb doesn’t mean it makes a full sentence.
- When the phone rang is a clause, but it’s not a sentence.
- The phone rang is both a clause and a complete sentence.
Always check if the idea feels complete.
A Single Word Can Signal Clause Type
Often, one word at the start of a clause tells you what kind it is.
- That may introduce a noun clause.
- Which or who usually starts a relative clause.
- Because, if, or although often signal adverbial clauses.
Looking for that first word can help you spot the type quickly.
FAQs About Types of Clauses
What are the main types of clauses in English grammar?
The two primary types of clauses are independent clauses, which can stand alone as complete sentences, and dependent clauses, which cannot stand alone and rely on independent clauses to form complete thoughts.
How do noun, adjective, and adverbial clauses differ?
These are all types of dependent clauses, distinguished by their function:
Noun clauses act as subjects, objects, or complements.
Adjective clauses (also known as relative clauses) modify nouns or pronouns.
Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing information about time, reason, condition, or contrast.
Can a clause be both independent and dependent?
No, a clause is either independent or dependent. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and must be connected to an independent clause.
What is the difference between finite and non-finite clauses?
A finite clause contains a verb that shows tense, such as past or present, and can often stand alone. A non-finite clause uses a verb form that does not show tense, like an infinitive or participle, and it cannot function as a complete sentence on its own.
How can I identify different types of clauses in a sentence?
Look for the function of the clause:
If it acts as a subject, object, or complement, it’s likely a noun clause.
If it modifies a noun or pronoun, it’s an adjective clause.
If it modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, providing context like time or reason, it’s an adverbial clause.