Definition & Meaning of "clause"

What is a "clause"?

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, and it can express a complete thought or part of a thought. There are two main types of clauses: independent and dependent. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, like "She enjoys reading." A dependent clause, on the other hand, cannot stand alone and is usually connected to an independent clause for meaning, such as "because she loves stories." Clauses are important for constructing sentences and can add complexity by combining multiple ideas. They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence, enhancing the richness of language.