Everything he said can be replaced with his explanation and the sentence still makes perfect sense: In this example, everything he said is a dependent clause that acts as a noun because it communicates the specific “thing” that she, the subject of the sentence, understands. She completely understood everything he said.That cat meows so loudly when she wants to eat.Ĭlauses can perform three distinct functions: They can operate as adverbs, adjectives, or nouns.It can also be part of a complex sentence.

In this example, the clause can be an independent sentence. Here’s a quick look at the difference between a phrase and a clause: In many cases, a clause can function as its own sentence. When it comes to expressing a complete thought, a clause falls between a phrase and a sentence.

Read on to learn how clauses are classified, the roles clauses play in sentences, how to combine clauses to express your thoughts, and the difference between independent and dependent clauses. Although you use clauses in your speech and writing every day, it can be easy to overlook the intricacies of clauses in English.

What is a relative adverb