What is a clause?
The building block of every sentence, how to find one, and how it differs from a phrase.
The answer
A clause is a group of words built around a verb, usually with a subject doing or being that verb, such as the dog barked.
Examples
The dog barked.
One clause: the subject is the dog, the verb is barked.
The sun came out and we went to the beach.
Two clauses joined by and.
We played outside until it got dark.
A main clause, then a subordinate clause.
When the film ended, everyone clapped.
How to spot it
- Find the verbs first. Each clause is built around its own verb.
- Look for a subject with the verb: who or what is doing or being?
- A group of words with no verb, such as after the storm, is a phrase, not a clause.
The common mistake
Thinking a clause must be a complete sentence.
‘Because it was raining’ is a clause: it has a subject (it) and a verb (was raining). It just cannot stand alone, because it is a subordinate clause.
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 1
- On the pupil word list
- Year 3, as “clause”
Year 1 joins clauses with and. Year 3 names clause and subordinate clause, and the idea is used in every year after that.
Try a question
How many clauses are in this sentence?
Mia opened the door and the cat ran out.
Show the answer
Answer: Two: Mia opened the door, and the cat ran out.
Each part has its own subject and verb (Mia opened, the cat ran). And joins them.
Related terms
- Practise the 11+ skill: Distinguish a phrase and clause
- Practise the 11+ skill: Complete a finite clause
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between a clause and a phrase?
A clause is built around a verb, usually with its own subject (the rain stopped). A phrase is built around another kind of word, such as a noun or a preposition (after the rain).
Are simple, compound and complex sentences in the curriculum?
The national curriculum glossary suggests single-clause sentence and multi-clause sentence instead, because a simple sentence can be complicated and a complex one can be easy. Many schools still use the older names.
Can a clause be one word?
A command can be: in ‘Stop!’, the verb is stop and the subject, you, is understood.
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
Many 11+ English papers include grammar and punctuation questions alongside comprehension. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.