Clause (grammar): Difference between revisions

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** and may or may not be a complete sentence or thought
** and may or may not be a complete sentence or thought


== What a clause is and is not ==
=== What a clause is and is not ===
* a clause is part of a sentence
* a clause is part of a sentence
** a ''sentence'' is a grammatically correct and complete thought
** a ''sentence'' is a grammatically correct and complete thought
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|'''X'''
|'''X'''
|}
|}


* sources for clauses:  
* sources for clauses:  
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*** this source is interesting as it addresses precision in language in terms of court cases and the law
*** this source is interesting as it addresses precision in language in terms of court cases and the law


== main or dominant clause ==
=== main or dominant clause ===
* main or dominant clause = an IC (independent clause)
* main or dominant clause = an IC (independent clause)
* the "main" clause is the clause the creates the "main idea" of the sentence
* the "main" clause is the clause the creates the "main idea" of the sentence
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** dominant /main clauses employ direct voice, i.e. SVO
** dominant /main clauses employ direct voice, i.e. SVO


== independent clause ==
=== independent clause ===
* ''Independent Clause (IC)
* ''Independent Clause (IC)
* = a ''sentence part'' that can stand as a complete sentence and thought
* = a ''sentence part'' that can stand as a complete sentence and thought
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</div>
</div>


== dependent clause ==
=== dependent clause ===
* "Dependent Clause" (DC) is a sentence part that contains a subject and a verb but does not complete a thought
* "Dependent Clause" (DC) is a sentence part that contains a subject and a verb but does not complete a thought
* also called "subordinate clause"
* also called "subordinate clause"
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** [https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/difference-between-dependent-independent-clause The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses (merriam-webster.com)]
** [https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/difference-between-dependent-independent-clause The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses (merriam-webster.com)]


== subordinate clause ==
=== subordinate clause ===
* subordinate clause is another name for a DC
* subordinate clause is another name for a DC
** we usually think of a subordinate clause as one that is formed by adding a subordinating conjunction
** we usually think of a subordinate clause as one that is formed by adding a subordinating conjunction
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** in this sense, subordinate clauses are preceded by "subordinating conjunctions" (see below)
** in this sense, subordinate clauses are preceded by "subordinating conjunctions" (see below)


== subordinating conjunction ==
=== subordinating conjunction ===
* Subordinating conjunction "subordinates" an IC into a DC
* Subordinating conjunction "subordinates" an IC into a DC
** i.e, (SC) renders or turns an IC into a DC
** i.e, (SC) renders or turns an IC into a DC
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* Click here for list of and more on [[Grammar#subordinating_conjunctions (see Grammar entry)]]
* Click here for list of and more on [[Grammar#subordinating_conjunctions (see Grammar entry)]]


== Relative clause ==
=== Relative clause ===
{| class="wikitable"  style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; width:40%"
{| class="wikitable"  style="float:right; margin-left: 10px; width:40%"
|+ relative pronouns
|+ relative pronouns
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** [https://www.softschools.com/examples/grammar/essential_and_nonessential_adjective_clauses_examples/81/# Essential and Nonessential Adjective Clauses Examples (softschools.com)]
** [https://www.softschools.com/examples/grammar/essential_and_nonessential_adjective_clauses_examples/81/# Essential and Nonessential Adjective Clauses Examples (softschools.com)]


== restrictive relative clause ==
=== restrictive relative clause ===
* goes by various names: necessary, requisite or defining clause
* goes by various names: necessary, requisite or defining clause
** technically, also an "adjective clause" since it describes a previously stated (antecedent) noun
** technically, also an "adjective clause" since it describes a previously stated (antecedent) noun
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*** vs. "Glue, that sticks to both my fingers and the paper, is a pain"
*** vs. "Glue, that sticks to both my fingers and the paper, is a pain"
**** since the parenthetical phrase is "non-defining" (can be removed), that would leave us with only "Glue is a pain" which lacks the defining information as to what type of glue is a pain, the kind "that sticks to both my fingers and the paper"
**** since the parenthetical phrase is "non-defining" (can be removed), that would leave us with only "Glue is a pain" which lacks the defining information as to what type of glue is a pain, the kind "that sticks to both my fingers and the paper"
=== because: when to use a comma ===
==== because: when to use a comma ====
* ''because'' is a subordinating conjunction and not a relative pronoun
* ''because'' is a subordinating conjunction and not a relative pronoun
** normally, a subordinate clause preceding the main clause would be separated by a comma:
** normally, a subordinate clause preceding the main clause would be separated by a comma:
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**** ''Playing tennis is fun, because it means the weather is good''
**** ''Playing tennis is fun, because it means the weather is good''


=== non-restrictive relative clause ===
==== non-restrictive relative clause ====
* or "Non-defining relative clause"
* or "Non-defining relative clause"
* or "non-essential" clause  
* or "non-essential" clause  
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* see Restrictive relative clauses for sources
* see Restrictive relative clauses for sources


== Other types of clauses ==
=== Other types of clauses ===


=== adjective clause ===
==== adjective clause ====
* = a dependent clause that contains a subject and verb but acts as a modifier or adjective
* = a dependent clause that contains a subject and verb but acts as a modifier or adjective
* see "relative clause"
* see "relative clause"


=== adverbial clause ===
==== adverbial clause ====
* = a subordinate clause created by a subordinating conjunction and adding information to the action of a sentence:
* = a subordinate clause created by a subordinating conjunction and adding information to the action of a sentence:
* adverbial clauses define or add information as to ''how, how much, when, where, why''
* adverbial clauses define or add information as to ''how, how much, when, where, why''
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** '''''As my grades sank''', my heart sank, as well''
** '''''As my grades sank''', my heart sank, as well''


=== finite and non-finite clauses ===
==== finite and non-finite clauses ====
* refer to types of clauses with verbs that either show or do not show "tense" (past, present future)
* refer to types of clauses with verbs that either show or do not show "tense" (past, present future)
** = not an important category, but one that grammarians refer to in the context of "tense"
** = not an important category, but one that grammarians refer to in the context of "tense"
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* see https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/clauses-finite-and-non-finite
* see https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/clauses-finite-and-non-finite


=== noun clause ===
==== noun clause ====
* = a clause that functions as a thing or idea (nouns)
* = a clause that functions as a thing or idea (nouns)
** ex.: "What I love to eat the most is steak"
** ex.: "What I love to eat the most is steak"