easy
“The dog barked” is an independent clause because it can stand as a sentence.
What does Clause mean?
A clause is a grammar unit with a verb, or a separate rule or condition in a formal document.
Dictionary definition
In grammar, a clause is a unit built around a verb phrase and usually a subject; a main or independent clause can stand as a sentence, while a subordinate or dependent clause works with another clause. Clause also means a distinct provision or section in a contract, law, treaty, or other formal document.
Example sentences
Clause in a sentence
medium
In “We stayed inside because it rained,” because it rained is a dependent clause.
medium
The permission clause in the agreement explains who may use the photographs.
hard
The non-finite clause “to finish on time” has no verb marked for tense.
hard
In a command such as “Be careful,” the subject you is understood rather than stated.
Writing practice
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Practice the meaning of Clause
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What is a clause in grammar?
A clause is organized around a verb phrase; most clauses also have an expressed or understood subject.
Practice 2
Which group is the dependent clause in “Nia smiled when the music began” ?
When the music began has a subject and verb but depends on the main clause for a complete sentence here.
Practice 3
What does clause mean in “The contract has a cancellation clause” ?
In a formal document, a clause is a distinct section or provision about a particular point.
Practice complete
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Clause
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WordClause.
Partnoun.
MeaningClause means A clause is a grammar unit with a verb, or a separate rule or condition in a formal document.
ExampleExample: “The dog barked” is an independent clause because it can stand as a sentence.
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Synonyms
Words like Clause
Antonym review
Does Clause have an opposite?
Clause has no direct antonym. Phrase and word are smaller or differently structured grammar units, and fragment is a writing label, not the opposite of clause.
Synonym practice
Want to practice clause synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The sentence had one tricky clause in the middle," then compare close word choices. Practice clause synonyms.
Word family
Clause word family
Base word
clause
noun
clauses
More than one grammatical clause or document provision.
adjective
clausal
Related to or having the function of a clause; a technical grammar term.
adverb
clausally
In a way related to clause structure; rare outside language study.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Clause
Hint for students
Look for a verb phrase and its expressed or understood subject, then ask whether that unit can stand as a sentence.
Common mix-up
A clause is not simply any word group. School definitions often say every clause has a stated subject and verb, but commands can have an understood subject and non-finite clauses do not show tense. A phrase is a different kind of unit.
Try it in class or at home
Cut six sentences into clause cards. Students label each main, subordinate, finite, or non-finite, reconnect clauses with suitable conjunctions, and explain how punctuation changes.
Teacher prompt
Break “Although the rain stopped, the field remained muddy” into clauses. Which clause can stand alone, and what makes the other dependent?
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