Types of Clauses in English Grammar with Examples: It was 2:30 p.m. Rohan sat at his table, eyes burning, tea gone cold, mock test paper spread out. The score was not up to the mark of what he expected. English had betrayed him again.
Rohan circled that he is honest… then erased it. Circled it again. Then panic hit.
He thought “Why do I always get English grammar wrong even when I understand the meaning?”
Rohan wasn’t weak in studies. His class 12th exam was ahead. His English syllabus was completed. But grammar, especially clauses, always pulled his score down.
That day, something clicked. He realized the problem wasn’t his intelligence. The problem was clarity. He had memorized rules, but he had never understood clauses the way a teacher explains them in class — slowly, practically, and with real-life logic. If you’ve ever felt like Rohan, reading rules again and again but still feeling unsure then this article is written for you.
Table of Contents
Types of Clauses in English Grammar
Introduction
When we speak or write English, we don’t usually think about grammar rules. Yet, every correct sentence follows a structure. One very important part of this structure is the clause.
Many students feel confused when they hear terms like main clause, subordinate clause, noun clause, or relative clause. This confusion increases in exams where one wrong answer can ruin the probability of success.
Common questions students ask:
- Is a clause the same as a phrase?
- Why are there so many types of clauses?
- How do I identify whether it is a noun clause, adjective clause, or adverb clause?
The confusion usually happens because clauses are taught with definitions, but not enough logic and identification methods.
When I was in school I was also confused about clauses, therefore today In this article, we will understand clauses from the very basics so that there is no confusion. Like what is the clause? Its types include how to identify clauses etc. therefore This article is written to solve that problem. We have also provided the exercise below so that after learning you can practice it effectively to strengthen your concept.
You will learn:
- What a clause really is (in very simple words)
- All types of clauses
- How to identify each clause step by step
- Structures, examples, mistakes, and exam-focused tips
What is a Clause?
Simple Definition: A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.
This is the most important rule. If a group of words does not have both subject and verb, then it is not a clause.
Examples
- I know him.
I = subject, know = verb → This is a clause. - because he was tired
he = subject, was = verb → This is also a clause.
Now compare:
- in the morning (No subject + verb → Phrase)
- when the sun rises (Clause)
Types of Clauses in English Grammar
Broadly, clauses are divided into two main categories:
- Independent (Main) Clause
- Dependent (Subordinate) Clause
Dependent clauses are further divided into:
- Noun Clause
- Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)
- Adverb Clause
Detailed Explanation of Each Type
Independent Clause (Main Clause)
Definition: An independent clause is a clause that
- Makes complete sense on its own
- Can stand alone as a sentence
Structure: Subject + Verb + (Object / Complement)
Usage: Used to express a complete idea.
Examples
- She is reading a book.
- I will call you tomorrow.
- They won the match.
- He works very hard.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking every long sentence has only one clause
- A sentence may have more than one clause
Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)
A dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand alone. It depends on the main clause for complete meaning.
Example:
- Because he was late. (wrong)
- He missed the train because he was late.
“He missed the train because he was late”. In this sentence “because he was late” is a dependent clause. Because it is not making a meaningful sentence, a question may arise why he was late. Therefore it is dependent on the main clause “He missed the train” so he was late.
Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause) also divided into Noun Clause, Adjective Clause (Relative Clause) and Adverb Clause. Let us understand them-
Noun Clause
Common Starting Words
- that, what, who, whom, whose
- whether, if
- why, how, when, where
Structure: Conjunction/Wh-word + Subject + Verb
Where It Is Used: Noun clauses can be used in the place of a subject, object or complement.
Examples
- What he said surprised me.
- I know that she is honest.
- Tell me where you live.
- Why he left is a mystery.
- I don’t understand what you want.
How to Identify a Noun Clause (Exam Trick)
Common Mistakes
- Treating noun clause as adjective clause
- Forgetting that noun clauses do not describe a noun
Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)
Definition: An adjective clause describes a noun or pronoun, just like an adjective.
Common Relative Words
- who, whom, whose
- which, that
- where, when
Structure: Relative word + Subject + Verb
Usage: Used to give extra information about a noun.
Examples
- The boy who is standing there is my friend.
- This is the book that I bought yesterday.
- I met a man whose son is a doctor.
- The city where I was born is very small.
- She likes movies which make her laugh.
How to Identify an Adjective Clause
Ask: Which one? What kind?
Common Mistakes
- Using “that” for people incorrectly in some contexts
- Forgetting the noun it describes
Adverb Clause
Definition: An adverb clause works like an adverb. It tells us when, why, how, where, under what condition something happens.
Common Conjunctions
- when, while, before, after
- because, since, as
- if, unless
- though, although
- so that, in order that
Structure: Subordinating conjunction + Subject + Verb
Examples
- I will call you when I reach home.
- He failed because he did not study.
- If you work hard, you will succeed.
- She kept quiet although she was angry.
- Wait here until I come back.
Comparison of Clauses
| Clause Type | Works As | Answers Question | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun Clause | Noun | What? Who? | I know what he said |
| Adjective Clause | Adjective | Which one? | The man who came late |
| Adverb Clause | Adverb | When? Why? | I left because it was late |
Difference Between Phrase, Clause, and Sentence
A beginner always gets confused between phrases, clauses, and sentences. Let us understand this clearly with the help of this table.
| Basis of Comparison | Phrase | Clause | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | A group of words that gives some meaning but does not have both a subject and a verb. | A group of words that has a subject and a verb. | A group of words that expresses a complete thought. |
| Subject | Does not have a subject. | Has a subject. | Has a subject. |
| Verb | Does not have a finite verb. | Has a verb. | Has a verb. |
| Complete Meaning | No, meaning is incomplete. | May or may not give complete meaning. | Yes, gives complete meaning. |
| Can Stand Alone | No. | Only independent clauses can stand alone. | Yes. |
| Types | Noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase, adverbial phrase. | Independent clause, dependent clause (noun, adjective, adverb). | Simple, compound, complex, compound-complex. |
| Examples |
|
|
|
Easy way to remember:
- Phrase → No subject + no verb
- Clause → Subject + verb
- Sentence → Complete thought
Clauses are not difficult if you understand what job they do in a sentence. Instead of memorizing definitions, focus on its function and logical identification.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify the Type of Clause
-
I know what he wants.
Answer: Noun Clause (It answers the question “what do I know?”) -
The boy who is playing outside is my neighbour.
Answer: Adjective Clause (It describes the noun “boy”) -
She did not attend the class because she was ill.
Answer: Adverb Clause (It shows reason – why she did not attend) -
What you said surprised everyone.
Answer: Noun Clause (It acts as the subject of the sentence) -
This is the book that I was talking about.
Answer: Adjective Clause (It describes “book”) -
I will call you when I reach home.
Answer: Adverb Clause (It tells time – when) -
She explained how the machine works.
Answer: Noun Clause (It is the object of the verb “explained”) -
The student whose bag was stolen is crying.
Answer: Adjective Clause (It describes “student”) -
He will succeed if he works hard.
Answer: Adverb Clause (It shows condition) -
I don’t understand why he is angry.
Answer: Noun Clause (It answers “what don’t I understand?”)
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank
-
I know ________ he is telling the truth.
Answer: that -
This is the boy ________ won the first prize.
Answer: who -
She did not go to school ________ she was feeling unwell.
Answer: because -
Tell me ________ you want to buy.
Answer: what -
I will call you ________ I reach home.
Answer: when -
The man ________ car was stolen went to the police station.
Answer: whose -
He could not attend the meeting ________ he was out of town.
Answer: because -
She does not know ________ he left the job.
Answer: why -
This is the place ________ we first met each other.
Answer: where -
I am not sure ________ he will come today or not.
Answer: whether
FAQs – Types of Clauses in English Grammar with Examples
What are 5 main clauses examples?
Five main clauses examples are -
- She reads every night.
- The children are playing outside.
- I finished my homework early.
- We will travel tomorrow.
- The sun is shining brightly.
How many clauses are in English grammar?
There are mainly two types of clauses in English grammar: Independent (Main) Clause and Dependent (Subordinate) Clause. However Dependent Clauses are divided into three types- Noun Clause, Adjective Clause and Adverb Clause.
What are dependent clauses?
A dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand alone. It depends on the main clause for complete meaning.
