Difference Between Clause and Sentence

Main Difference – Clause vs Sentence

Both clause and sentence are made up of a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate. The main difference between clause and sentence is that a sentence always conveys an independent meaning whereas a clause does not always convey an independent meaning.

What is a Clause

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate. Although a clause can sometimes act as a sentence since it contains both a subject and a verb, it is not necessarily a complete sentence. That is to say; not every clause is a complete sentence. There are basically two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. An independent clause is one that can stand alone and convey a complete meaning. The clauses that cannot stand alone, and do not convey a complete meaning are known as dependent clauses.

Independent Clauses:

She didn’t understand the lesson although the teacher explained it well.

She cried.

Dependent Clauses:

He didn’t join them although he wanted to swim.

I didn’t buy that dress since you didn’t like it.

Clauses play different roles in a sentence. A clause can act as a noun, adjective or an adverb. A noun clause acts as a noun; an adjective clause acts as an adjective, and an adverbial clause acts as an adverb.

Noun Clause:

We heard what you told them.

A man who betrayed his friends cannot be trusted.

Adjective Clause:

The dress which you bought last year needs to be shortened.

I believed the lie she told me.

Adverbial Clause:

He goes to the office whenever he wants.

I had to continue the charade until I received news from them.

The boy cried.

What is a Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It contains a subject and a verb. A sentence can be a single clause or several clauses. A sentence which contains a single (independent) clause is known as a simple sentence. A complex sentence is one that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses whereas compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Sentences can be categorized into four types based on its functions: declarative sentence, imperative sentence, exclamatory sentence and interrogative sentence.

A declarative sentence is a sentence that state information and facts. For example,

The dog barked at the moon.

The Chinese girl won the first place.

An imperative sentence issues commands; they can express wishes or desires. These sentences can be even made up of a single word. For example,

Stop!

Get out!

Interrogative sentences are the sentences that are used to ask questions. They are easy to distinguish as they contain a question mark at the end. For example,

Are you happy?

Did she give you the message?

Exclamatory sentences are used to express emotions or excitement. They usually end with exclamation marks.

It’s a surprise!

I won!