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Clause vs Modificative - What's the difference?

clause | modificative |

In grammar terms the difference between clause and modificative

is that clause is a verb along with its subject and their modifiers. If a clause provides a complete thought on its own, then it is an independent (superordinate) clause; otherwise, it is (subordinate) dependent while modificative is that which modifies or qualifies, as a word or clause.

As nouns the difference between clause and modificative

is that clause is a group of two or more words which include a subject and any necessary predicate (the predicate also includes a verb, conjunction, or a preposition) to begin the clause; however, this clause is not considered a sentence for colloquial purposes while modificative is that which modifies or qualifies, as a word or clause.

As a verb clause

is to amend (a bill of lading or similar document).

clause

English

(wikipedia clause)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (rfc-sense) (grammar, informal) A group of two or more words which include a subject and any necessary predicate (the predicate also includes a verb, conjunction, or a preposition) to begin the clause; however, this clause is not considered a sentence for colloquial purposes.
  • (grammar) A verb along with its subject and their modifiers. If a clause provides a complete thought on its own, then it is an independent (superordinate) clause; otherwise, it is (subordinate) dependent.
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  • However, Coordination facts seem to undermine this hasty conclusion: thus, consider the following:
    (43)      [Your sister could go to College], but [would she get a degree''?]
    The second (italicised) conjunct is a Clause''' containing an inverted Auxiliary, ''would''. Given our earlier assumptions that inverted Auxiliaries are in C, and that C is a constituent of S-bar, it follows that the italicised '''Clause''' in (43) must be an S-bar. But our familiar constraint on Coordination tells us that only constituents belonging to ''the same Category'' can be conjoined. Since the second '''Clause''' in (43) is clearly an S-bar, then it follows that the first '
    Clause must also be an S-bar — one in which the C(omplementiser) position has been left empty.
  • (legal) A separate part of a contract, a will or another legal document.
  • Usage notes

    In When it got dark, they went back into the house'', “''When it got dark” is a dependent clause within the complete sentence. The independent clause "they went back into the house" could stand alone as a sentence, whereas the dependent clause could not.

    Derived terms

    (types of grammatical clauses) * adjective clause * adverbial clause * appositive clause * concessive clause * comment clause * comparative clause * coordinate clause * defining relative clause * dependent clause, subordinate clause * independent clause, main clause, superordinate clause * finite clause * if clause, conditional mood, conditional clause * nondefining relative clause * non-finite clause * noun clause, nominal clause * relative clause * restrictive clause * verbless clause (grammatical terms) * clause element * clause function * subclause (part of a legal document) * noncompete clause

    Verb

    (claus)
  • (shipping) To amend (a bill of lading or similar document).
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  • modificative

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) That which modifies]] or [[qualify, qualifies, as a word or clause.
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