Meaning & use

clauses

noun·Academic

Last updated

Grammatical units containing a subject and a verb that form part of a larger sentence.

See it in a sentence

The sentence contains two clauses joined by a comma.

"Although it was raining" is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a sentence.

A note on using this word

A clause differs from a phrase in that a clause always includes both a subject and a verb, while a phrase does not.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A distinct section or provision within a legal document or contract

The lease contains a clause allowing early termination with 60 days' notice.

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