clause
Plural
clauses
1
(grammar) a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and functions as a unit within a sentence
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, and it can express a complete thought or part of a thought. There are two main types of clauses: independent and dependent. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, like "She enjoys reading." A dependent clause, on the other hand, cannot stand alone and is usually connected to an independent clause for meaning, such as "because she loves stories." Clauses are important for constructing sentences and can add complexity by combining multiple ideas. They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence, enhancing the richness of language.
- He highlighted the main clause in the sentence with a red marker.
- In English, a clause must contain at least a subject and a verb.
- She was studying the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause.
- The teacher explained that a clause can be a full sentence or part of a sentence.
- Understanding how a clause functions can greatly improve your sentence structure.
2
a separate part of a legal document that requires or talks about something specific
- The rental agreement includes a clause specifying the responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant.
- The contract contains a confidentiality clause that prohibits the disclosure of sensitive information to third parties.
- The insurance policy has a deductible clause, which outlines the amount the policyholder must pay out of pocket before the insurer covers the rest.
- The employment contract includes a non-compete clause preventing the employee from working for a competitor for a certain period after leaving the company.
- The constitution contains a freedom of speech clause that protects individuals' rights to express themselves without censorship from the government.
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