When do we use clause

When all of your clauses are independent clauses, you can combine them using a coordinating conjunction. In English, the coordinating conjunctions are:. If you need to combine a dependent clause with an independent clause, you need a subordinating conjunction.

There are a lot more subordinating conjunctions than there are coordinating conjunctions, and they can be divided into categories according to their function. A sentence that includes an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses is known as a complex sentence , and a sentence that includes two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause is known as a compound-complex sentence.

In either of these kinds of sentences, the subordinating conjunction signifies the beginning of the dependent clause. Here are a few examples:. As you can see in these examples, when the dependent clause comes first, it needs to be followed by a comma. Dependent clauses can also start with relative pronouns or relative adverbs. Relative pronouns include that , whose , whom , who , and which.

Take a look at how these dependent clauses that begin with relative pronouns work in sentences:. Relative adverbs include where , when , how , and why. Here are a few relative adverb-led dependent clauses at work:. Give your written work a run-through with Grammarly. We can use when to ask for information about what time something happens:. When will you know the result of the exam?

She asked me when I would be ready to start the job. I wonder when the new computers will arrive. Questions: wh- questions. The clause with when is a subordinate clause sc and needs a main clause mc to complete its meaning. If the when -clause comes before the main clause, we use a comma. In references to the future with when , we use the present simple or the present perfect in the when -clause, not the future with shall and will :.

We can use when as a relative pronoun in relative clauses :. That was the week when we booked our holiday. The parcel arrived in the post at 11 am, when I was still at work. Relative clauses. We can use since when to ask at what time something began. We often use it as a response when we are surprised that something has begun:.

Since when? Using Since when at the start of a question can express anger or sarcasm:. Since when are you an expert on childcare? This is very direct. We use when to refer to a future situation or condition that we are certain of, whereas we use if to introduce a possible or unreal situation.

If or when? We use since to refer to a particular time in the past until another time or until now:. I had a great time when I went to the coast. I have been having a boring time since I came back home. Not: I have been having a boring time when I came back home.

A kind-hearted person is one who likes other people a lot and always wants to help them. Outsets and onsets! See also: Questions Questions: wh- questions Future. Talking about the past. Talking about the present. Talking about the future.

See also: Conjunctions Punctuation As. When as a relative pronoun. See also: Relative clauses. Using Since when at the start of a question can express anger or sarcasm: [talking about children watching television] A:. When or if? I will definitely see Gary. I may see Gary but I am not certain. See also: If or when? When or since? See also: Since. Popular searches 01 Adverbs and adverb phrases: position 02 Other , others , the other or another? Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes.

Image credits. Word of the Day kind-hearted. About this. Blog Outsets and onsets! Read More. November 08, To top. Adjectives and adverbs Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses Adjectives and adverbs Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses Adjectives and adverbs Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses Adjectives and adverbs Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses.

Sign up for free and get access to exclusive content:. Free word lists and quizzes from Cambridge. Tools to create your own word lists and quizzes. Word lists shared by our community of dictionary fans. Sign up now or Log in. The Same Idea Every Time If you'd happily put your clause in brackets or delete it, then use commas because it must be non-essential. Key Points If your clause is needed to identify your noun, don't offset it with commas.

The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything. US President Theodore Roosevelt If your clause is just additional information that you'd happily put in brackets or delete, offset it with commas. My father, who had previously been a civil engineer , died in the great influenza epidemic of Physicist James Rainwater If your adverbial clause is fronted , use a comma.

Don't use a comma if your adverbial clause is at the back. However, there is one main case when you should not use that to introduce a relative clause. This is related to the fact that there are two types of relative clause: a restrictive relative clause and a non-restrictive relative clause. A restrictive relative clause can be introduced by that , which , whose , who , or whom. You should not place a comma in front of a restrictive relative clause:.

A non-restrictive relative clause also called a non-defining relative clause provides extra information that could be left out without affecting the meaning or structure of the sentence. Non-restrictive relative clauses are normally introduced by which , whose , who , or whom, but never by that. You should place a comma in front of them:. If a non-restrictive relative clause is in the middle of a sentence, you should put commas before and after it:.