A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate. A clause can make a sentence. A simple sentence consists of just one clause.
Study the examples given below.
- He took out his pen and started writing.
The above sentence has two clauses:
- He took out his pen.
- He started writing.
The two clauses are connected using the coordinating conjunction ‘and’.
Another example is given below.
- I will help him because I like him.
The above sentence also has two clauses:
- I will help him.
- I like him.
The two clauses are connected using the subordinating conjunction ‘because’.
There are two types of clauses: coordinate clause and subordinate clause
When a sentence consists of two clauses of equal rank, they are called coordinate clauses.
Consider the sentence given below.
- I went to Delhi, but I could not meet him.
The above sentence has two clauses:
1. I went to Delhi.
2. I could not meet him.
Both clauses make complete sense and can stand independently. They are connected by the conjunction ‘but’.
When two independent clauses are connected by a coordinating conjunction, we get a compound sentence.
The first part of the compound sentence is called the main or principal clause. The second part which is connected to the first part with a coordinating conjunction is called the coordinate clause.