What defines a group of words that contains a subject and predicate?

A group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate is known as a clause. A clause functions as a fundamental unit of a sentence. Every clause can express a complete thought (in the case of an independent clause) or part of a thought that needs further information (in the case of a dependent clause).

This definition is essential because understanding clauses is a crucial part of grasping sentence structure. For instance, a simple sentence is made up of an independent clause that has a clear subject and predicate, allowing it to stand alone as a complete thought. Additionally, clauses can be used to build more complex sentences by combining them with other clauses. Thus, recognizing clauses helps in writing and analyzing sentences effectively.