klauzë

Klauzë is a linguistic term used in some theoretical grammars to denote a subordinate clause embedded within a larger sentence. The precise meaning of the term is not standardized, and its usage varies among authors and schools of thought.

Generally, a klauzë is considered a dependent unit linked to a matrix clause and introduced by a subordinating marker or by a non-finite verb form. It can serve several functions, including complement clauses (as in She believes that the plan will succeed), adverbial clauses (as in I left after the meeting ended), and relative clauses (as in the book that I bought).

Because klauzë is not universally defined, some grammars treat it as a broad label for any embedded clause, while others describe it as a specific subtype with distinctive morphosyntactic properties. The term is often used in discussions about how languages structure embedding, clause boundaries, and the relationship between main and dependent clauses. It can feature in debates over how different languages encode functional roles such as assertion, time, modality, or relativization within complex sentences.

See also: subordinate clause, dependent clause, complementizer, clause, syntax.