clause


 * __Clause:__** A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as one sentence. A dependent, or subordinate, clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by and independent clause.

Examples:
students=subject | whine= verb
 * Lazy students whine.**

Pepsi= subject | spilled, splashed= verbs
 * Pepsi spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.**

dog= subject | loves= verb
 * My dog loves pizza crusts.**

=__**Independent Clause:**__= An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

__**Example:**__ Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

=__**Dependent Clause:**__= A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.


 * __Example:__** When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/clause.htm

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_clause.html