clause (clauses plural )
1 n-count A clause is a section of a legal document.
oft N num
He has a clause in his contract which entitles him to a percentage of the profits., ...a complaint alleging a breach of clause 4 of the code.
2 n-count In grammar, a clause is a group of words containing a verb. Sentences contain one or more clauses. There are finite clauses and non-finite clauses. →
main clause →
relative clause →
subordinate clause
concessive clause (concessive clauses plural )A concessive clause is a subordinate clause which refers to a situation that contrasts with the one described in the main clause. For example, in the sentence `Although he was tired, he couldn't get to sleep', the first clause is a concessive clause. (TECHNICAL) n-count
main clause (main clauses plural )A main clause is a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Compare subordinate clause. n-count
relative clause (relative clauses plural )In grammar, a relative clause is a subordinate clause which specifies or gives information about a person or thing. Relative clauses come after a noun or pronoun and, in English, often begin with a relative pronoun such as `who', `which', or `that'. n-count
reported clause (reported clauses plural )A reported clause is a subordinate clause that indicates what someone said or thought. For example, in `She said that she was hungry', `she was hungry' is a reported clause.
(BRIT) n-count
reporting clause (reporting clauses plural )A reporting clause is a clause which indicates that you are talking about what someone said or thought. For example, in `She said that she was hungry', `She said' is a reporting clause.
(BRIT) n-count
subordinate clause (subordinate clauses plural )A subordinate clause is a clause in a sentence which adds to or completes the information given in the main clause. It cannot usually stand alone as a sentence. Compare main clause. (TECHNICAL) n-count
