Clauses Grammar Skill

Clauses are groups of words that contain both a subject and a verb. They are the building blocks of sentences and help writers express complete or incomplete thoughts.

Some clauses can stand alone as complete sentences, while others depend on additional information to make sense. Understanding clauses helps students avoid sentence fragments and write more complex, clear sentences.

This skills hub explains the types of clauses, provides examples, and allows students to practice identifying clauses in sentences.

For printable practice, visit our Clauses Worksheets.

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Examples of Clauses

• Independent Clause: The bell rang.
• Dependent Clause: when the bell rang
• Independent Clause: She stayed inside.
• Dependent Clause: because it was raining

Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences, while dependent clauses need additional information to be complete.

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Clauses Quiz

Choose the correct answer.

1. Which sentence is an independent clause?
   The students finished their work. Because the students finished their work When the students finished
2. Which is a dependent clause?
   because it was raining It was raining. The rain stopped.
3. Which sentence contains two clauses?
   She stayed inside because it was cold. She stayed inside. After the storm
4. Which group of words is not a complete sentence?
   When the bell rang The bell rang. The students left.
5. Which word often begins a dependent clause?
   because dog run

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What Is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. Every sentence contains at least one clause.

Independent Clauses

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Example: The students finished their work.

Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It must be connected to an independent clause.

Example: because the students finished their work

Using Clauses Together

Writers combine independent and dependent clauses to form complex sentences and show relationships between ideas.