Grammar: Clauses

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Quitting Your Job

It’s time to put in my two-week notice! In this engaging lesson, students will explore the pivotal moments when someone decides it’s time to quit a job and the appropriate steps to take in doing so. The lesson features a compelling video that discusses the main reasons for leaving a job and outlines a strategic plan for making that decision. Students will learn and practice using specific phrases and clauses, as well as workplace vocabulary related to job transitions. The lesson incorporates a variety of engaging discussion activities and interactive tasks designed for both adults and teenagers, creating a dynamic and practical learning experience for all participants.

B2 Upper-Intermediate   |   General English, Business English, Speaking Lessons, English for HR   |   Video   |   Work, Human Resources   |   45 min   | B2-7

What are Clauses in English Grammar?

In English grammar, a clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. Clauses can be classified into two main types: independent (main) clauses and dependent (subordinate) clauses.

Independent Clauses: These clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence. They express a complete thought.

Example: "She loves to read."

Dependent Clauses: These clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They depend on an independent clause to make sense.

Example: "Because she loves to read" (This needs an independent clause to complete the thought, such as "Because she loves to read, she visits the library often.").

Differences in Clauses Between American and British English

While the basic structure and function of clauses are the same in both American and British English, there are subtle differences in usage. American English uses "that" for defining and "which" for non-defining clauses, while British English is more flexible, often using "which" for both. For adverb clauses, American English uses "while" for both "at the same time" and "although," whereas British English often uses "whilst." American English places a comma before "which" in non-defining clauses, a practice also seen in British English but with more flexibility. These differences mainly reflect slight stylistic variations.