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Dependent Clause

Dependent Clause

What is a dependent clause? Need help understanding what is a dependent clause? Check out our page and find dependent clause examples, a list of dependent clauses and learn how to weave a dependent clause into your own writing.
All sentences are made up of one or more clauses. Some clauses are dependent, while others are independent.

What Is a Dependent Clause?

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb or verb phrase. Though an independent clause expresses a complete thought, a dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) does not. In other words, a dependent clause cannot stand as a sentence by itself. It must be combined with one or more independent clauses to form a sentence. Dependent clauses can function either as noun clauses, adjective clauses, or adverb clauses in a sentence.

A dependent clause begins with words such as after, although, because, before, if, since, that, until, what, when, where, who, which, and why.

Examples of What is a Dependent Clause

What is a Dependent Clause?

(When we get enough snow is a dependent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb get. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Damian won’t be able to play in the game because he injured his foot.

(Because he injured his foot is a dependent clause. It contains the subject he and the verb injured. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Does anyone know what we are having for dinner?

(What we are having for dinner is a dependent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase are having. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

The group can’t start on its science project until Bianca arrives, so let’s meet later.

(Until Bianca arrives is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Bianca and the verb arrives. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Examples of Dependent Clauses

(Which book I want to read next is a dependent clause. It contains the subject I and the verb want. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

After Aidan returned from his fishing trip, he took a long nap.

(After Aidan returned from his fishing trip is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Aidan and the verb returned. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

This year we rented the same cabin that we stayed at last year, and we had just as much fun.

(That we stayed at last year is a dependent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb stayed. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

When Maya entered the photography contest, she didn’t expect to get first place.

(When Maya entered the photography contest is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Maya and the verb entered. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

I forgot where I put the car keys.

(Where I put the car keys is a dependent clause. It contains the subject I and the verb put. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

If Charlotte decides to join the softball team, then we will have enough members.

(If Charlotte decides to join the softball team is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Charlotte and the verb decides. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Alicia and Jaime want to know which restaurant we should meet them at.

(Which restaurant we should meet them at is a dependent clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase should meet. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

I can’t wait until the pizza gets here!

(Until the pizza gets here is a dependent clause. It contains the subject pizza and the verb gets. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

Dependent Clauses Versus Prepositional Phrases

Words such as after, before, since, and until can signal the beginning of either a dependent clause or a prepositional phrase. To distinguish between the two uses, remember that a clause contains a subject and a verb but a prepositional phrase does not.

Dependent Clause: I tend to be groggy until I have my coffee in the morning.

Prepositional Phrase: We slept until five o’clock and then had to get up.

Avoid Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences. A fragment either lacks a subject or a verb, or it does not express a complete thought. Writers often mistakenly consider dependent clauses complete sentences because they contain subjects and verbs. However, dependent clauses do not express complete thoughts. Remember to pair a dependent clause with at least one independent clause to form a complete sentence.

Examples:

Sentence Fragment: After the play is finished. We’ll meet you in front of the theater.
Complete Sentence: After the play is finished, we’ll meet you in front of the theater.
Sentence Fragment: The actress tripped over a prop. Before she stumbled onstage.
Complete Sentence: The actress tripped over a prop before she stumbled onstage.
Sentence Fragment: I still enjoyed myself. Though the play was a bit too long.
Complete Sentence: I still enjoyed myself though the play was a bit too long.

Related Topics:
Clause Overview
Independent Clause
Adjective Clause
Noun Clause
Relative Clause
Adverb Clause
Restrictive Clause
Nonrestrictive Clause
Elliptical Clause
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