Welcome to week 18 of our ongoing Grammar Guide.  This week we are going to chat about complex phrases, the Clause.

A clause is a phrase with a subject and a verb and any complements the verb requires. Depending on the type of clause, it may or may not stand alone as a sentence.

Independent Clause - Expresses a complete thought.  Two or more independent Clauses can be joined together with a conjunction.

Example 1: The shingles blew off the roof.

Example 2: I put them in the wheel barrow.

With Conjunction: The shingles blew off the roof, and I put them in the wheel barrow.
Without Conjunction: The shingles blew off the roof; I put them in the wheel barrow.

A note on punctuation: Independent Clauses joined by and, but, for, or, nor, so, or yet should be separated by a comma.  Independent clauses joined without a conjunction use a semicolon. 

Subordinate/Dependent Clause - Does not express a complete thought and does not make sense on its own.  Typically modifies or clarifies an Independent clause.  Often has: because, when, who, whom and other conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Example 1: Because it was windy
(this doesn't make sense standing alone.)

Example 2: Because it was windy, the shingles blew off the roof.

Santa Claus - Nah, never mind.

• References:
  • Kern, Jara. (2020). The Infographic Guide to Grammar. Adams Media
  • Venolia, Jan. (2001). Write Right! (4th ed.). Ten Speed Press