What is Clause?

A clause is a part of a sentence. There are two main types:

o independent (main clauses), o dependent (subordinate clauses).

Independent Clause
An independent clause is a complete sentence; it contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in both context and meaning.
o For example: The door opened.

Independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction to form complex or compound sentences.

Coordinating Conjunction
FANBOYS i) For ii) And iii) Nor iv) But v) Or vi) Yet vii) So For example: Take two independent clauses and join them together with the conjunction and: " The door opened." + "The man walked in." = The door opened and the man walked in.

Dependent Clause
A dependent (subordinate) clause is part of a sentence; it contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. They can make sense on their own, but, they are dependent on the rest of the sentence for context and meaning. They are usually joined to an independent clause to form a complex sentence.

Dependent Clause
Noun clause what, where, why, how, where, when, who whom, which, whose, whether, that, if who, whom, which, whose, that, where, when time place cause Adverb clause purpose result when, before, after, until, since, as soon as where, wherever because, as, since so that, in order that so ... that, such ... that

Adjective clause

condition
concession

if, unless
although, even though

Yale Graduate School Writing Center

Adverb Clause
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb by telling how, when, where, or under what condition. Adverb clauses begin with subordinate conjunctions and answer such questions as where, why, when, how, to what extent, in what manner, and under what conditions.

Adverb Clause
o Because the house had been empty for so long, the lawn and garden were choked with weeds. o The lawn and garden were choked with weeds because the house had been empty for so long.

[The adverbial clause is underlined and because is the subordinating conjunction.]

Adjective clause
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause used as an adjective to modify a noun or a pronoun. Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns: who, whose, that, whom, which OR relative adverbs: when, why, where.
o The flowers (that) I bought for my mother are beautiful. o The friends (whom) I visited are my cousins.

Noun Clause
Noun clauses often begin with the words that, which, who, whom, or whose. Noun clauses can also use variants of those words such as whichever, whoever, or whomever. Noun clauses may also begin with the words when, where, whether, why, how, if what, or whatever.

Noun Clause
o No one knew where we were headed. o She asked whether we should go. o Do you know when you are leaving?

 http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/writing/ forms/Types%20of%20Clauses.pdf