clause

2⃣ Types of Clauses

🔹 Main / Independent Clause

  • Can stand alone as a sentence.

  • Example: She likes ice cream. ✅

🔹 Subordinate / Dependent Clause

  • Can’t stand alone, usually starts with because, if, when, although, that

  • Example: Because it was raining, … → needs a main clause to finish the sentence:

    • Because it was raining, we stayed inside. ✅

3⃣ Examples

Clause type

Example

Main / independent

I am going to school.

Subordinate / dependent

When I wake up, I eat breakfast.

Relative clause

The dog that barked loudly ran away.

Conditional clause

If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.

4⃣ Quick Tips

  • Every clause has a subject + verb

  • Main clauses = can be a full sentence alone

  • Subordinate clauses = need another clause to make sense

  • Use commas after starting subordinate clauses:

    • If it is sunny, we will go outside.