Summary of Types of Clauses in English Grammar
Types of Clauses in English Grammar: A Student's Guide
Introduction
Clauses are building blocks of complex English sentences. They contain a subject and (usually) a verb and function as parts of sentences: modifiers, complements, or whole grammatical units (subjects, objects, adverbials). This guide breaks down the main clause types you need to recognise and use accurately in academic writing and analysis.
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and predicate that functions as a unit within a sentence.
Broad categories of clauses
- Subordinate (dependent) clauses — cannot stand alone; function within a larger sentence.
- Main (independent) clauses — can stand alone as complete sentences.
We focus on subordinate clause types: comparative, adverbial, relative, nominal (including nominal relative and interrogative clauses), and non-finite clauses (to-infinitive and -ing).
Adverbial clauses (subordinators: IF, WHEN, AS SOON AS, BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH)
Adverbial clauses act like adverbs: they express time, condition, reason, concession, or place.
An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or entire clause by expressing time, condition, reason, concession, or place.
Types and examples
- Time: "When we were on holiday, we visited the museum."
- Condition: "If I were you, I would accept the offer."
- Reason: "He left early because he was tired."
- Concession: "Although it was raining, they continued the match."
- Result/Consequence (related): often introduced by so...that or such...that.
Key features
- Introduced by subordinating conjunctions: if, when, because, although, as soon as, etc.
- Express semantic relations (time, condition, reason, concession).
- Punctuation: comma usually when clause comes first.
Comparative clauses (start with THAN / AS)
Comparative clauses express differences or partial contrasts.
A comparative clause completes the meaning of a comparative expression (taller than, as ... as) and is introduced by than or as.
Examples
- Difference: "She is taller than her sister."
- Partial contrast: "He is not as rich as his brother."
Function and punctuation
- They follow comparative structures and often require no comma: "She runs faster than I do."
- When the comparative clause is reduced or elliptical, the verb may be omitted: "She is taller than her sister (is)."
Relative clauses (start with WHO, WHICH, THAT, WHERE, WHY; there is a noun before them)
Relative clauses modify nouns and act as postmodifiers in noun phrases.
A relative clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun and is introduced by a relative pronoun or adverb such as who, which, that, where, or why.
Two types
- Restrictive (necessary): specifies which noun; no commas.
Example: "The man who lives next door is a doctor." - Non-restrictive (not necessary): adds extra information; set off by commas.
Example: "My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor."
Table: Restrictive vs Non-restrictive
| Feature | Restrictive | Non-restrictive |
|---|---|---|
| Necessity for reference | Necessary | Not necessary |
| Commas | No | Yes |
| Example | The motorbike that he bought is new. | The motorbike, which he bought yesterday, is new. |
Nominal clauses (that-clauses, wh-clauses, whether, nominal relative)
Nominal clauses act like nouns: subjects, objects, complements, or prepositional complements.
A nominal clause is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun phrase within a sentence, introduced by words like that, whether, what, who, where, why, how.
Subtypes and examples
- That-clauses (no noun before) — functions as content clauses: "She said that she woul
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Clause Types Overview
Klíčové pojmy: Adverbial clauses begin with subordinators like if, when, because, although and express time, condition, reason, or concession., Comparative clauses use than or as to express difference or partial contrast (e.g., She is taller than her sister)., Relative clauses (who, which, that, where, why) modify nouns; restrictive ones are essential and lack commas, non-restrictive add extra info and use commas., Nominal clauses function as nouns: subjects, objects, complements; common introducers are that, whether, what, who, why, how., Nominal relative clauses start with what and mean "the thing that": "I can give you what you want.", To-infinitive clauses (to + verb) act as noun complements, modifiers of nouns (decision, plan), or adjective complements (ready, eager)., -ing clauses can be gerunds (nominal) or participles (postmodifiers/adverbials): "Running improves health.", Test clause function by position: following a noun = relative/postmodifier; answering why/when = adverbial; replacing with "something" = nominal object., Omit "that" in informal speech where clarity permits; retain it in formal writing for precision., Use commas for non-restrictive relative clauses and fronted adverbials; restrictive clauses require no commas.