7 Types of Clauses in English (Definitions, Examples, & PDF)

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Clauses are a necessary part of the English language. There are seven different types of clauses, and each one has its own unique purpose. In this blog post, we’ll explore each type of clause and give examples of how they are used. So whether you’re a beginner or an advanced English speaker, this blog post is for you! Let’s get started.

7 Types of Clauses in English

Here are 7 types of clauses in English.

Independent/ Main Clause
Coordinate Clause
Relative Clause
Subordinate Clause
The Noun Clause
The Adjective Clause
The Adverb Clause

1) Independent/Main Clause

An independent/ main clause is also known as an “independent clause”. This type of clause can stand alone and make sense. There are many different types of independent clauses, but it’s important to notice that they all contain a subject and a verb.

Independent Clause Examples:

I like to swim. (verb)
My sisters are coming over tonight. (subject)

A clause is an independent clause if it contains a subject and a verb, and can make sense on its own. The main clause is the entire statement that you are reading right now.

Related: 20 Main Clause Examples

2) Coordinate Clause

A coordinate clause is a separate idea from an independent/main clause, but it is joined to another clause with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. There are seven different types of coordinating conjunctions, so let’s talk about each one:

for – used when listing things

and – used when listing things

or – used when listing things or as a replacement for “either” or “neither” before an independent clause, as long as the independent clause does not contain a comma

but – shows the contrast between ideas and is often interchangeable with “and” to form a double negative

yet – emphasizes that something is unexpected

so – used as a replacement for “therefore” or “so that”, stating a reason as the consequence of another idea

nor – used as a replacement for “neither” before an independent clause, as long as neither clause contains a comma.

Coordinate Clause Examples:

I gave her the book that she wanted to read. (the “that she wanted to read” is a relative clause modifying “book”)
We ate dinner, which made me really hungry. (relative clause modifying “dinner”)

Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell whether a clause is an independent/ main clause or a relative clause. When you’re not sure, try taking the clause out of the sentence and seeing if it still makes sense:

I gave her the book she wanted to read. (This doesn’t make total sense by itself because we don’t know who “she” is.)
I gave the book she wanted to read to her. (This makes sense on its own, but it doesn’t make total sense with the clause because without the clause it would be hard to know who “her” is.)

Both of these sentences are independent clauses. However, the first sentence is also a relative clause, because without the clause it would be hard to know who “she” is.

3) Relative Clause

A relative clause is one that modifies a noun. Relative clauses are sub-clauses, meaning they are part of another statement. A relative clause contains a subject and verb, but it cannot stand alone because it is modifying or giving information about something else. If you see a “that” in the sentence, then it’s likely a relative clause.

Relative Clause Examples:

The book that I gave her was one of my favorites. (main clause – “I gave her was one of my favorites”)
She read the book that I gave her. (main clause – “She read the book.”)

This is a relative clause because it can’t stand alone without the main clause to give it context. It contains a subject and verb, but it cannot make complete sense on its own as one statement because the “that I gave her” is giving information about “the book”.

4) Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause is a sub-clause that modifies an independent/ main clause. A subordinate clause starts with a subordinating conjunction. There are seven different types of subordinating conjunctions, so let’s talk about each one:

although – shows the contrast between ideas and is interchangeable with “but” – both can show the contrast between ideas

because – used to state a reason for something

before – gives the time period in which something is done or will happen

after – gives the time period in which something is done or will happen

that – used to introduce a clause that cannot stand alone and that begins with an “if,” “when,” or “whether”

where – introduces a place where something happens

if – used to introduce a clause that cannot stand alone and that begins with an “if”, “when”, or “whether”

Subordinate Clause Examples:

Although the weather was bad, we still went to the park. (subordinate clause – “the weather was bad” modifying “we still went”)
I’m going to eat cake because I feel like it. (subordinate clause – “I feel like it” modifying “I’m going to eat cake”)

5) The Noun Clause

A noun clause is a sub-clause with a subject and verb that can function as a noun. Noun clauses are subordinate, meaning they cannot stand alone. They also have “that” at the beginning of them to let us know they’re noun clauses (which we can remember by saying “that = noun”).

Here’s an example:

You should help your neighbor that is moving. (noun clause – “that is moving” modifying “neighbor”)

Noun clauses are often mistaken for relative clauses, because they begin with a subordinating conjunction and because they contain a subject and verb – but noun clauses cannot stand alone. Noun clauses are also found after certain verbs, such as “think,” “realize,” “know,” and “agree,”

For example:

I think that the elephant is a mammal. (noun clause – “that the elephant is a mammal” modifying, “I think”)
He realized that his car was gone. (noun clause – “that his car was gone” modifying “He realized”)
I know that he did it. (noun clause – “that he did it” modifying “I know”)
You agree that this is a good choice, right? (noun clause – “that this is a good choice” modifying “you agree”)

6) The Adjective Clause

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It functions like an adjective and provides additional information about the noun or pronoun it modifies.

Adjective clauses usually begin with relative pronouns such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which.”

Adjective clauses can also be introduced by relative adverbs such as “when,” “where,” or “why,” and they provide additional information about time, place, or reason.

Examples of Adjective Clause:

Here are two examples of adjective clauses:

The woman who lives next door has three cats.

The adjective clause in this sentence is “who lives next door,” and it modifies the noun “woman.” It provides additional information about the woman, specifying which woman we’re talking about.

The book that I borrowed from the library was very interesting.

The adjective clause in this sentence is “that I borrowed from the library,” and it modifies the noun “book.” It provides additional information about the book, specifying which book we’re talking about and where it came from.

7) The Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is a type of dependent clause that functions as an adverb in a sentence. It modifies the verb in the main clause and provides information about the time, place, reason, manner, or condition of the action or state described in the main clause.

Examples of Adverb Clause:

Here are two examples of adverb clauses:

Since I had a lot of work to do, I stayed up late.

The adverb clause in this sentence is “since I had a lot of work to do.” It modifies the verb “stayed” and provides the reason or cause for staying up late.

Although she was tired, she went to the gym.

The adverb clause in this sentence is “although she was tired.” It modifies the verb “went” and provides information about the condition or circumstance under which the action was taken.

Types of Clauses Worksheet

Identify the type of clause in the following sentence: “I will give you the money if you promise to pay me back.”
Is the following group of words a clause or a phrase? “Walking down the street”
What is the independent clause in the following sentence? “Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.”
Is the following sentence a complex sentence or a compound sentence? “I ate dinner, but I still feel hungry.”
What is the dependent clause in the following sentence? “Because he was tired, he went to bed early.”
Identify the type of clause in the following sentence: “After the party was over, we cleaned up the house.”
Is the following sentence a simple sentence or a compound-complex sentence? “She studied for her exam, but she forgot her notes, so she did not do well on the test.”
What is the relative clause in the following sentence? “The man who delivered the package was very friendly.”
Is the following sentence a complex sentence or a compound sentence? “I like to play tennis, but my brother prefers basketball.”
Identify the type of clause in the following sentence: “I can’t believe that you would do something like that.”