Clauses: A Practical Overview
Quick Summaries
| Clause Type | One-line Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | Expresses a complete idea; can stand alone. | “The script finished.” |
| Dependent | Needs an independent clause to complete meaning. | “When the script finished…” |
| Noun | Functions as a noun within a sentence. | “I know that the script finished.” |
| Relative | Describes a noun; starts with a relative pronoun. | “The script that John wrote finished.” |
| Adverbial | Modifies a verb, adjective, or clause. | “The script finished after the tests passed.” |
| Conditional | States a condition and its result. | “If the script fails, alerts trigger.” |
| Comparative | Compares two entities. | “The new script runs faster than the old one does.” |
When to Choose Each Clause
| Goal | Prefer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| State main actions | Independent | Stands alone; keeps prose clear. |
| Add context without new sentence | Dependent | Avoids choppy rhythm. |
| Embed statements as single units | Noun | Acts like subject/object (“What failed is critical”). |
| Provide defining or extra info | Relative | Reduces repetition, adds precision. |
| Specify time, reason, concession | Adverbial | Answers when, why, how, where. |
| Express cause–effect scenarios | Conditional | Highlights logic and consequences. |
| Contrast performance, size, etc. | Comparative | Makes differences explicit. |
Converting Independent → Dependent
- Add a subordinator (because, when, although, etc.).
- Keep original subject-verb order.
- Attach to an independent clause.
Before: “Latency dropped.”
After: “When latency dropped, users cheered.”
Converting Dependent → Independent
- Remove the subordinator.
- Capitalise the first word; ensure punctuation.
- Adjust tense if context shifts.
Before: “Because the cache missed…”
After: “The cache missed. Performance suffered.”