clause

noun [C] (GRAMMAR)

/klɔːz/

/klɑːz/ specialized

Definition

1. Definition

2. Practise

B2 a group of words, consisting of a subject and a finite form of a verb: In the sentence 'I can't cook very well but I make quite good omelettes', both 'I can't cook very well' and 'I make quite good omelettes' are main/independent clauses (= they are of equal importance and could each exist as a separate sentence). In the sentence 'I'll get you some stamps if I go to town', 'if I go to town' is a subordinate/dependent clause (= it is not as important as the main part of the sentence and could not exist as a separate sentence).Sentences and expressions

(Definition of clause noun (GRAMMAR) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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