Cool MateClause vs Sentence
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clause
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Sentence
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Sentence
| Clause | Sentence | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/klɔːz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/klɔːz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsentəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsentəns/"]/ |
| Meaning | A group of words with a subject and a verb that is part of a sentence. | A group of words that express a complete thought. |
| Example | In legal terms, a clause is a distinct provision in a contract. | She wrote a beautiful sentence in her essay. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | main, subordinate, conditional, in a/the clause, confidentiality, indemnity, penalty, contain, have, add, in a/the clause, under a/the clause, clause on | long, short, complete, begin, finish, complete, contain something, have something, structure, maximum, minimum, average, hand down, impose, pass, sentence for, under sentence of death |
| Antonyms | independent clause | fragment, phrase, word |
| Common mistakes | Confused 'clause' with 'clause of action'., Using 'clause' as a verb instead of a noun., Not recognizing dependent vs independent clauses. | Using 'sentence' when referring to a single word., Confusing 'sentence' with 'phrase', which is not a complete thought., Saying 'sentences' when referring to the concept in a general way. |
| Usage notes | Usually used in academic, legal, or formal writing. Be careful not to confuse it with 'phrase,' which does not have both a subject and a verb. | Use 'sentence' when talking about written or spoken language. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in technical or specialized discussions about grammar. |
Frequently asked questions: Clause vs Sentence
What's the difference between Clause and Sentence?
Clause: A group of words with a subject and a verb that is part of a sentence. Sentence: A group of words that express a complete thought.
Which is more common: Clause and Sentence?
Sentence is the most common in everyday English.
Are Clause and Sentence the same CEFR level?
Clause: B1, Sentence: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Clause and Sentence interchangeably?
Not always. Clause and Sentence are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.