A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb. Every sentence contains at least one clause; a clause that can stand on its own as a complete sentence is called an independent clause.
A dependent or subordinate clause contains a verb but it does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause will be part of a larger, complex sentence.
Consider the following sentences:
1. That girl who collects rookie cards is coming to Janelle's party.
2. Jayde expressed surprise when the herd of elephants stampeded through downtown Byron.
The italicized phrases in these sentences are dependent clauses. The clause in the first sentence is an adjective clause because it modifies the noun, girl. The clause in the second sentence is an adverb clause because it modifies the predicate.
