How to Use an Embedded Clause

Co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA

Last Updated: June 9, 2022 Approved

An embedded clause is often used in a sentence to create a level of sophistication and detail. Using an embedded clause in your writing or in your daily speech can help to improve your level of English and give your language more variety. You should first recognize the purpose of an embedded clause before you apply them to your writing and your speech.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Recognizing the Purpose of an Embedded Clause

1
Recognize the difference between a root clause and an embedded clause. The root clause in a sentence is also known as the main clause, as it forms the main section of the sentence. The embedded clause is then insert inside the main clause to expand on it. The root or main clause will contain the embedded clause.^{[1]
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- Keep in mind embedded clauses are sometimes called subordinate clauses. Most subordinate clauses begin with “because”, “since”, and “although”, which are called subordinators. For example, a subordinate clause would be found in the sentence: “Ashley left the room because she hated dancing.” “Because she hated dancing” is the subordinate clause as it adds more detail to the beginning of the sentence, “Ashley left the room”.
2
Learn the primary function of an embedded clause. An embedded clause is a clause used in the middle of a sentence, or in the root clause. The embedded clause should give the reader more information and enhance the overall meaning of the sentence. Using embedded clauses will help to create more detail to your sentences and raise your writing to a higher level.^{[2]
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- The clause are usually a group of words that include a subject and a verb. The embedded clause will then be bracketed by commas in the sentence. Most embedded clauses begin with “who”, “which”, “where”, and “that”. Embedded clauses cannot stand separately from the sentence.
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3
Note the two types of embedded clauses. There are two types of embedded clauses: nominal clauses and relative clauses. Nominal clauses use “that” or “for” to create the embedded clause. Relative clauses use “who”, “which”, and “where” to create the embedded clause.^{[3]
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- You can use either type in sentences when you are trying to use an embedded clause. However, some sentences may work better if you use the nominal clause and some might work better if you use the relative clause.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Using Embedded Clauses

1
Use “which” or “where” to create an embedded clause. You will use “which” in an embedded clause when you are referring to an inanimate object, such as an item you own. You will use “where” when you are referring to a location or place, such as the house where you were born or your current address.^{[4]
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- For example, you may say, “My phone, which is brand new, is not working.” The embedded clause in this sentence is “which is brand new”, as it adds more information about the subject of the sentence, “my phone”.
- You may say, “This house, where I grew up, has changed over the years.” The embedded clause in this sentence is “where I grew up”, as it provides more information about the subject of the sentence, “this house”.
- You’ll notice that the embedded clauses “which is brand new” and “where I grew up” are bracketed by commas. They also do not make sense as separate phrases and are only grammatically correct when they are placed in the sentences.
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Form an embedded clause with “who”. You will use “who” in an embedded clause when you are discussing a person, such as a friend, partner, or acquaintance.^{[5]
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- For example, you may say, “The nurse, who was very sweet, gave me a shot.” The embedded clause in this sentence is “who is very sweet” as it provides more information on the subject of the sentence, “the nurse”.
3
Make a relative clause using “that”. You can also use “that” to create a relative clause, a type of embedded clause. This will allow you to provide more information in a sentence with the use of “that”.^{[6]
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- For example, you may say, “I should have noticed that Mark does not like Mindy.” The relative clause in the sentence is “that Mark does not like Mindy”. In this case, you are using the embedded clause to provide more information in the sentence and expand on “I should have noticed”.
4
Use a variety of embedded clauses in your writing and speech. To effectively deploy embedded clauses in your writing, you should try to vary which ones you use and how you use them. Sprinkle them throughout a section of writing to add more detail, but avoid using them in every sentence or in two sentences in a row. Often, embedded clauses are more effective when they appear sporadically.^{[7]
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- For example, you may start with a sentence that does not have an embedded clause, such as, “I had a difficult day today.” You may then expand on the sentence by using a sentence with an embedded clause, such as, “My computer, which is very expensive, is not working properly.”
- When you are using embedded clause in academic papers or essays, you should use them to expand on an idea or thought you have introduced earlier. For example, you may have the sentence, “Social norms and rules are a major theme in 19th century British literature.” You may then expand on the sentence with a sentence with an embedded clause, “Jane Austen, who is one of the more prominent novelist of the time, addresses this theme in many of her works.”

Community Q&A

Question

Do embedded clauses need to have the correct grammar?

Donagan

Top Answerer

To the extent that "the correct grammar" is appropriate in the larger sentence, it would be no less so within an embedded clause.