A clause is a grammatical unit in a sentence that contains a subject and a verb. It can express a complete thought and can function as a standalone sentence (independent clause) or be part of a larger sentence (dependent or subordinate clause).

Here are the main types of clauses:

Independent Clause: An independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand on its own and convey a full thought.

Example: "She went to the store."

Dependent Clause: A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and relies on an independent clause to make sense. It usually begins with subordinating conjunctions such as "because," "although," "while," "if," and more.

Example: "Although it was raining, she went for a walk."

Clauses are essential building blocks of sentences, and they are combined to create different sentence structures and convey various meanings. In more complex sentences, independent and dependent clauses can be combined to provide additional information, add context, and create a more nuanced expression of ideas.