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clause — a unit of grammatical organization next below the sentence in rank

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a unit of grammatical organization next below the sentence in rank

Pronunciation (IPA): /klɔːz/

Example Sentences

  • My grammar teacher said I write sentences with too many dependent clauses, which makes my writing confusing, although I think it's perfectly clear, even if others disagree.
  • The insurance policy had a bizarre clause stating that damages caused by alien invasion were not covered.
  • Understanding the difference between independent and dependent clauses is crucial for TEPS writing.

clause

NOUN

[/klɔːz/]

a unit of grammatical organization next below the sentence in rank

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/klɔːz/
🇬🇧 UK/klɔːz/

🌳Etymology

Rootclaus-
Suffix--e

Origin

From Old French 'clause' and Latin 'clausula', meaning a closing or conclusion, derived from 'claudere' meaning 'to close'. The grammatical sense developed from the idea of a clause as a complete thought or closed unit within a sentence.

Breakdown

Latin 'claudere' (to close) + '-ula' (diminutive suffix) = clausula (a closing/conclusion) → Old French 'clause' → English 'clause'

🎵Rhyme

pause
laws
flaws
cause

🔗Collocations

main clause
subordinate clause
penalty clause
escape clause
conditional clause
insert a clause
contract clause

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grammar teacher said I write sentences with too many dependent clauses, which makes my writing confusing, although I think it's perfectly clear, even if others disagree.”

😄 Fun example

“The insurance policy had a bizarre clause stating that damages caused by alien invasion were not covered.”

“Understanding the difference between independent and dependent clauses is crucial for TEPS writing.”

😄 Fun example

“The rental agreement included a clause about not keeping pet dinosaurs in the apartment.”

📚Related Words

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