clause

/'klætə/

Thân thiện

A lawyer reviews a clause in a contract.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Law) A distinct provision or article within a formal legal document: A clause is a separate, numbered section that states a specific condition, requirement, or rule in a contract, treaty, statute, or will.
   • (Grammar) A group of words containing a subject and a verb: In grammar, a clause is a unit of meaning that includes a subject and a predicate (verb). It may be independent (forming a complete sentence) or dependent (not forming a complete sentence on its own).

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Legal):

  • The contract has a confidentiality clause that prevents sharing company secrets.
  • According to clause 7b of the treaty, both parties agree to reduce emissions.

• Noun (Grammatical):

  • In the sentence "She left because it was late," "because it was late" is a dependent clause.
  • The main clause "I know" can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Advanced Usage

• "To add/insert a clause": To include a new specific provision in a document.

  • We need to add a termination clause to the agreement.

• "Escape clause": A provision in a contract that allows a party to avoid liability or performance under certain conditions.

  • The lease includes an escape clause if the property is sold.

• "Relative clause": A type of dependent clause that modifies a noun, typically introduced by a relative pronoun (e.g., who, which, that).

  • The book that you recommended is excellent. (Here, "that you recommended" is a relative clause modifying "book".)

Variants and Related Words

• Clausal (adj): Relating to or of the nature of a clause.
  • The sentence has a complex clausal structure.

Synonyms

• Provision, article, section (for the legal meaning).
• Phrase (Note: In grammar, a is different as it lacks a subject-verb combination, e.g., "the tall building" is a noun phrase, not a clause).

Different Meanings

The word clause has two primary, distinct meanings: 1. Legal Meaning: A stipulation within a formal written document. 2. Grammatical Meaning: A structural unit in sentence construction containing a subject and a verb.

Idioms and Phrases

• Standard clause: A common or typical provision found in many legal documents.

  • The force majeure clause is a standard clause in many contracts.

• Subordinate/Dependent clause: A grammatical clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

• Main/Independent clause: A grammatical clause that can form a complete sentence by itself.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
2. (grammar) an expression including a subject and predicate but not constituting a complete sentence

Từ đồng nghĩa

• article