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.
Dependent clauses begin with words such as after, although, because, before, if, since, that, until, what, when, where, who, which, and why.
Dependent Clause Examples
(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