Clauses

from English Grammar Today

Clauses: introduction

A clause is the basic unit of grammar. Typically a main clause is made up of a subject (s) (a noun phrase) and a verb phrase (v). Sometimes the verb phrase is followed by other elements, e.g objects (o), complements (c), adjuncts (ad). These other elements are sometimes essential to complete the meaning of the clause:

[S]Sarah [V]smiled.

[S]Jo [V]doesn’t feel [C]well.

Not: Jo doesn’t feel. (well is essential because it completes the meaning of feel.)

[S]They [V]haven’t posted [O]all the invitations. (post is a transitive verb which needs an object, all the invitations)

The underlined words are not essential to complete the clause:

[S]I[V]’ll call [O]you [AD]later.

[S]All the girls [V]laughed [AD]loudly.

When we give a command, we don’t usually use a subject:

Be careful!

Jump!

When we do use the subject, it is to reinforce the instruction or to make clear exactly who the speaker is talking to:

You be careful.