86 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 4 Grammar Skills Clauses A clause is a group of words within a sentence that has a subject and a predicate. When a clause gives a complete thought and could stand alone as a separate sentence, it is called an independent clause. In the following examples, the independent clauses are shown in italics. Note that the third example has two independent clauses. Jane will head the team because she has the most experience. Since we arrived late, we missed the opening speech. I read a novel, and she watched a movie. A clause that requires the rest of the sentence to provide a complete thought is called a dependent clause. A dependent clause used alone is a writing error and is often called a sentence fragment. Subordinating clauses, restrictive clauses, and nonrestrictive clauses are types of dependent clauses. A subordinating clause is joined to the rest of the sentence with a subordinating conjunction, such as since, because, when, if, or though. In the following examples, the subordinating clauses are shown in italics. I cannot attend the meeting, though I am interested in the topic. When we land, everyone will leave the plane. Because the rain was very heavy, a flash flood warning was issued. A restrictive clause is a type of dependent clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence. The clause identifies a particular person or thing. In the following examples, the restrictive clauses are shown in italics. In the first example, the clause identifies one particular boy on the team. In the second example, the clause identifies a particular group of students. In the third example, the clause identifies a particular vase. The little boy on the team who has a broken arm will not play. Students who do not follow the rules will be banned from participation. The vase that you dropped was very valuable. A nonrestrictive clause provides information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. The clause provides information that may be helpful. However, the receiver can understand the message without that information. In the following examples, the nonrestrictive clauses are shown in italics. Mark West, who loves to swim, is the only boy on the team. The bicycle, which is dirty and rusty, is an antique. Can you identify the types of clauses in this sentence? “When playing team sports, everyone should play by the rules.” CLS Design/Shutterstock.com