What is a clause?

A clause is a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a predicate (verb). It can function as a complete sentence or as part of a larger sentence. Clauses are essential for constructing sentences and can be categorized into two main types:

1. **Independent Clause**: Expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. For example: "She reads books."

2. **Dependent (or Subordinate) Clause**: Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on an independent clause to provide full meaning. It usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., "because," "although") or a relative pronoun (e.g., "who," "which"). For example: "Although she was tired, she continued to work."

Clauses are the building blocks of sentences, allowing for complex structures and detailed expression in language.