Definition : A clause is a group of words which create a grammatical unit and which contain at least a subject and finite verb. These two clause elements are obligatory in all clauses, while others (complement, object, adverbial) may or may not be present.
Examples :
The following basic clause types are found in English :
1) S-V-C : Anna seemed tired.
2) S-V-A : David was at the office
3) S - V (intransitive) : The dog was barking.
4) S - V - O : He liked the film
5) S - V - O - C : It made him happy
6) S - V - O - A : We put the baby to bed
7) S - V - O (indirect) - O (direct) : We gave her a book
Variations include eg the position of and number of adverbial elements in the clause, the addition of an adverbial to types 5 and 7, or the addition of an object complement to type 7. However, any variations or additional elements are always optional, whereas the clause types mentioned above are the basic grammatical patterns which are possible in English - nothing can be left out without destroying the grammaticality of the clause.
Related terms : Main/independent Clauses, Subordinate/Dependent Clauses (links to be added)
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