complete clauses

[/kəmˈpliːt ˈklɔːzɪz/]
nounpl: complete clauses
orações completas
1. Grammatical clauses that contain both a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought and capable of standing alone as a sentence
In the sentence 'She runs quickly,' this is a complete clause because it has a subject (she) and a predicate (runs quickly).
Na sentença 'Ela corre rapidamente', esta é uma oração completa porque tem um sujeito (ela) e um predicado (corre rapidamente).
2. Independent clauses that do not depend on other clauses to convey their full meaning
The complete clause 'The cat sleeps' can function as a standalone sentence.
A oração completa 'O gato dorme' pode funcionar como uma sentença independente.
This is a fundamental concept in English grammar instruction in both American and Brazilian educational systems. In Brazil, understanding 'orações completas' versus 'orações incompletas' is a key component of Portuguese language education. The term emphasizes the importance of grammatical completeness in written and formal communication across both cultures.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
independent clausesmain clausesprincipal clausessimple sentences
Antonyms / Antônimos
incomplete clausesdependent clausessubordinate clausessentence fragments

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
orações completas
Standard term used in Brazilian grammar education
Portugal
orações completas / frases completas
Both terms are used interchangeably in European Portuguese
Academic English
complete clauses / independent clauses
More commonly referred to as 'independent clauses' in formal grammar instruction

Related Words

subjectpredicatedependent clausescompound sentencescomplex sentencessentence structure

Related Idioms & Phrases

a complete thought
stand-alone clause
subject-predicate unit
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