Clauses Explained
A 15-slide presentation on
the basic types of clauses
with examples.
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Relative clause
Nonrestrictive clause
Restrictive clause
What is a clause?
Clauses are complete
sentences or parts of
sentences that contain a
subject and verb and any
related modifiers.
Types of Clauses
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Relative clause
Nonrestrictive clause
Restrictive clause
Independent Clause
An independent clause is
the only kind of clause that
can stand alone as a
sentence. Independent
clauses can be joined
together to form a
compound sentence.
Independent Clause
examples
My favorite books include
realistic action and believable
characters.
Vivid details and a sense of place
are also important to a good
story.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause, also
called a subordinate clause,
cannot stand alone as a
sentence, even though it has
a subject and a verb.
Dependent clauses function
as noun, adjective, and
adverb clauses.
Dependent Clause
examples
What I already know about the book
is enough to convince me to read it.
I remember the old days when there
was no such thing as e -books.
After I’m done reading the book , I’ll
let you borrow it.
Relative Clause
A relative clause is
introduced by a relative
pronoun: who, whom,
which, and that. It is a type
of dependent clause.
Relative Clause
examples
The plot of the story had
many twists and turns,
which I found exciting.
The antagonist was a
shopkeeper, who spread
damaging rumors.
Nonrestrictive Clause
A nonrestrictive clause
adds information to the
antecedent, but is not
essential to the meaning. It
is a type of dependent
clause.
Nonrestrictive Clause
examples
The main character, who had
six children, ran away from
her small community.
One of the children, a blueeyed blonde, tried to follow.
Restrictive Clause
A restrictive clause gives
essential information
about the antecedent, and
is necessary for the
meaning of the sentence. It
is a type of dependent
clause.
Restrictive Clause
examples
The townspeople who had
spread the gossip felt guilty
when she abandoned her
children.
The child who tried to follow
her disappeared.
Clauses vs. Phrases
The difference between
clauses and phrases is
that clauses have a
subject and verb,
whereas phrases do not.
Clauses vs. Phrases
examples
Clause
When the boy with the red shoes
came to town , it was the last straw.
Phrase
When the boy with the red shoes
came to town, it was the last straw.
The End.
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