Dependent Clause
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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
(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.)
(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.)
(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.)
(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.)
(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 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.)
(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 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.)
(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 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.)
(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.)
(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:
Related Topics:
Clause Overview
Independent Clause
Adjective Clause
Noun Clause
Relative Clause
Adverb Clause
Restrictive Clause
Nonrestrictive Clause
Elliptical Clause
All Grammar Terms