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Dependent Clause
Phonetics:
dɪˌpendənt
klɔːz
Pronunciation:
Discovering Dependent Clauses From Confusion to Clarity
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
Clauses, primarily dependent clauses and their types can make every English learner jittery if they are not explained adequately. Edulyte’s English language test trainers spend considerable time and resources breaking down the concept of a dependent clause into easy-to-understand segments. So go ahead and supercharge your writing skills through their expertise!
What is a dependent clause: strengthen your grip over it with its definition and examples
What is a dependent clause? A dependent clause or a subordinate clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that cannot function as a complete sentence. Instead, it relies on an independent clause to form a complete thought. Dependent clauses typically function as adverbial, adjectival, or nominal clauses, adding additional information or modifying other sentence parts. A dependent clause example enables you to appreciate their position in the English language.
Adverbial Clause:
- “After she finished her homework” (modifies the verb “finished”)
- “Because he was tired” (modifies the verb “was”)
Adjectival Clause:
- “The car that I borrowed from my friend” (modifies the noun “car”)
- “The dog that barks loudly” (modifies the noun “dog”)
Nominal Clause:
- “What she said” (functions as the subject of the sentence)
- “Whoever wins the competition” (functions as the object of the verb “wins”)
You can see in the each dependent clause example above that the dependent clauses cannot express a complete thought on their own. You cannot understand what they are conveying as they require independent clauses to provide the necessary context and complete the sentence’s meaning.
Dependent Clause vs. Independent Clause: unlock their differences with detailed explanations and examples
After realising the dependent clause meaning, you can see that it is an essential part of a sentence. A dependent clause and an independent clause are fundamental components of sentence structure. Therefore, understanding their differences is crucial for constructing clear and coherent sentences. Their differences include the following:
Dependent Clause:
- A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot function as a complete sentence.
- It relies on an independent clause to convey a complete thought.
- It typically functions as an adverbial, adjectival, or noun clause, providing additional information or modifying other sentence parts.
Independent Clause:
- A group of words containing a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
- It expresses a complete thought and can function independently, conveying a clear and self-contained meaning.
- It is often called a main clause because it carries a sentence’s direct message or idea.
Independent Clause | Dependent Clause |
A group of words with a subject and a verb which gives complete information. | A group of words with a subject and a verb which does not provide complete information. |
It can function independently | It relies on the independent clause. |
It functions as a noun, adverb, adjective clause modifying the sentence. | It carries the main idea of the sentence. |
You can frequently use-dependent and independent clauses in complex sentences to create a more detailed expression of ideas. Complex sentences consist of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clauses assist you in providing additional information, explanations, or conditions that support or modify the independent clause.
Examples of sentences containing both dependent and independent clauses:
Although she was tired, she continued to study for the exam.
- Independent clause: she continued to study for the exam.
- Dependent clause: Although she was tired.
- The dependent clause (adverbial) provides the condition or context for the independent clause.
The house that Jack built is now for sale.
- Independent clause: The house is now for sale.
- Dependent clause: that Jack built.
- The dependent clause (adjectival) modifies the noun “house” by specifying which house is being referred to.
As you notice in each example , the independent clauses can be complete sentences, while the dependent clauses rely on the independent clauses to convey a complete thought.
Types of dependent clauses: become a grammar maestro by absorbing their definitions, use and examples
A dependent clause that function as nouns are called noun clauses. It can act as a subject, object, or complement, playing crucial roles in conveying meaning.
Noun clauses typically begin with words like “that,” “if,” “whether,” “who,” “what,” “where,” “why,” “how,” etc.
Dependent Clause Examples (Noun Clauses):
- I know that she will arrive late. (subject)
- They are discussing whether to go on vacation. (object)
- Her biggest fear is that she will fail the exam. (complement)
Functions of Noun Clauses:
Noun Clauses as Subjects:
- What she said made sense. (subject of the sentence)
- Whether we should proceed is still undecided. (subject complement)
Noun Clauses as Objects:
- I believe that he is innocent. (direct object)
- They are unsure of what to do next. (indirect object)
Noun Clauses as Complements:
- His goal is to become a successful entrepreneur. (predicate nominative)
- The most important thing is that we stay united. (object complement)
Adjective Clauses: unravel its mysteries with definition, uses and examples
Adjective or relative clauses are dependent clauses that function as adjectives in a sentence. They provide more information about a noun or pronoun, modifying and adding descriptive details, information or describing it in more detail.
Adjective clauses get introduced by relative pronouns (e.g., “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” “that”) or relative adverbs (e.g., “where,” “when,” “why”).
Dependent Clause Examples (Adjective Clauses):
- The man who is wearing a hat is my neighbour. (modifies the noun “man”)
- I have a book that was written by my favourite author. (modifies the noun “book”)
- She lives in the house where I grew up. (modifies the noun “house”)
How Adjective Clauses Modify Nouns and Pronouns
Modifying Nouns: Adjective clauses provide additional information about a noun, specifying which one, what kind, or giving more details.
Example: The book that is kept on the table belongs to John. (specifies which book)
Modifying Pronouns: Adjective clauses give more details or further describe pronouns, providing additional context.
Example: I met a woman who was very friendly. (describes the pronoun “woman”)
Adverbial Clauses: boost your understanding with its definition, uses and examples
Adverbial clauses function as adverbs in a sentence. They provide additional information about the main clause’s verb, adjective, or adverb, specifying when, where, why, how, or under what conditions something happens.
Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., “when,” “where,” “why,” “how,” “if,” “because,” “although,” etc.).
Dependent Clause Examples (Adverbial Clauses):
- I will go to the store when I finish work. (modifies the verb “go”)
- She sings as if she were on stage. (modifies the verb “sings”)
How Adverbial Clauses Modify Verbs, Adjectives, and Adverbs
Modifying Verbs: Adverbial clauses tell us about the place, manner, time, place, manner, reason, or condition of the action expressed by the verb. Example: She called me when she arrived home. (specifies when she called)
Modifying Adjectives: Adverbial clauses describe or provide additional details about the quality or degree expressed by an adjective.
Example: The movie was so scary that I couldn’t sleep. (describes the degree of scariness)
Modifying Adverbs: Adverbial clauses further describe or give more details about the manner, time, place, or condition expressed by an adverb.
Example: He speaks French more fluently than I do. (describes the degree of fluency)
Relative Clauses: transform your knowledge with definition, uses and examples
Relative or adjective clauses function as modifiers of nouns or pronouns in a sentence. They provide extra information about the noun or pronoun they are attached to, adding descriptive details or narrowing down its meaning by identifying, defining, or giving more information about it.
Relative clauses are typically introduced by relative pronouns (e.g., “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” “that”) or relative adverbs (e.g., “where,” “when,” “why”).
Dependent Clause Examples (Relative Clauses):
- The woman who lives next door is a doctor. (modifies the noun “woman”)
- I have a dog that loves to play fetch. (modifies the noun “dog”)
How Relative Clauses Function as Modifiers
Modifying Nouns: Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun, specifying which one, what kind, or giving more details.
Example: The house where I grew up is now for sale. (describes the noun “house”)
Modifying Pronouns: Relative clauses give more details or further describe pronouns, providing additional context.
Example: “I met a man whom I had never seen before.” (describes the pronoun “man”)
Time Clauses: simple definition, uses and examples
Time or temporal clauses are dependent clauses that express when an action occurs about another action or event in a sentence. They provide information about an action or event’s timing, duration, or frequency.
They often begin with subordinating conjunctions that indicate time, such as “when,” “while,” “as,” “after,” “before,” “since,” “until,” etc.
Examples of Time Clauses:
- I will call you when I get home. (indicates when the action of calling will happen)
- She likes to read while she’s travelling. (indicates the simultaneous action of reading and travelling)
- After we finish dinner, we can watch a movie. (indicates the action of watching a movie happening after finishing dinner)
How Time Clauses Indicate Timing:
- Specific Time: Time clauses can specify when an action occurs.
Example: I will meet you at 7 p.m. when I finish work.
- Simultaneous Action: Time clauses can indicate that two actions are happening simultaneously.
Example: She sings while she plays the piano.
- Sequence of Actions: Time clauses can show the order or sequence of actions.
Example: After I finish my work, I will go for a walk.
- Cause and Effect: Time clauses can indicate the cause-and-effect relationship between two actions.
Example: Since it’s raining, we will stay indoors.
Purpose Clauses: definition, uses and examples
Purpose clauses indicate the reason or purpose behind an action in a sentence. They provide information about why someone does something or the intended outcome of an effort. They get introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “so that,” “in order that,” “to,” “for,” or “lest.”
Examples of Purpose Clauses:
- I study hard so that I can pass the exam. (indicates the purpose of studying hard)
- She wrote a note in order that he would not forget. (indicates the purpose of writing the note)
How Purpose Clauses Indicate Reason:
- Expressing Intent: Purpose clauses specify an action’s intended outcome or goal.
Example: He saved money to buy a new car.
- Clarifying Reason: Purpose clauses provide a reason or motivation behind an action.
Example: She took a day off from work so that she could attend her sister’s wedding.
- Describing Goal: Purpose clauses express an action’s desired result or objective.
Example: They practise daily for the purpose of improving their performance.
Subordinating Conjunctions: harness its definition, uses and examples to improve your language
You might have often wondered ‘can because start a sentence?’ The answer is ‘yes.’ Because it can act as a subordinating conjunction and start a sentence. Subordinating conjuctions are words that connect dependent clauses to independent clauses, creating complex sentences. In addition, they introduce subordinate or dependent clauses, which rely on the main clause to make complete sense.
Examples of Common Subordinating Conjunctions and Dependent Clauses:
- “After” (time): I will go to the gym after I finish work.
- “Because” (cause and effect): She couldn’t attend the party because she was feeling unwell.
- “If” (condition): We will stay indoors if it rains.
- “Although” (contrast): Although he studied hard, he didn’t pass the exam.
- “So that” (purpose): He studied diligently so that he could get a scholarship.
Compound Sentences: how to create them?
Compound sentences can have two or more independent clauses joined together by coordinating conjunctions or punctuation marks. They allow for the combination of related ideas or thoughts clearly and concisely.
They are joined by coordinating conjunctions (e.g., “and,” “but,” “or,” “so,” “for,” and “nor”) or by using punctuation marks like semicolons or colons.
Examples of Compound Sentences:
- I enjoy hiking, and my brother prefers swimming.”(joined by coordinating conjunction “and”)
- She wanted to go to the concert, but she couldn’t get tickets. (joined by coordinating conjunction “but”)
- He studied hard for the exam and earned a high grade. (joined by a semicolon and the transitional adverb “therefore”)
How do Compound Sentences Differ from Complex Sentences?
Compound Sentences: In compound sentences, independent clauses are joined to express related ideas, but each clause can stand alone as a separate sentence. They are connected by coordinating conjunctions or punctuation marks.
Example: I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.
Complex Sentences: In complex sentences, independent clauses are combined with dependent clauses, which cannot stand alone as separate sentences. Dependent clauses rely on the main clause for meaning and typically begin with subordinating conjunctions.
Example: Although it was raining, I went for a walk.
Identifying a Dependent Clause: secret tips with examples
Identifying a dependent clause involves understanding the differences between dependent and independent clauses and recognising the role of subordinating conjunctions in introducing dependent clauses.
- Dependent Clause: a group of words containing a subject and a verb. But it cannot pass as a sentence. An independent clause must form a complete thought and provide meaning.
- Subordinating conjunctions : typically introduce dependent clauses. These conjunctions establish a relationship of dependence between the dependent clause and the main clause. Subordinating conjunctions include words such as “because,” “although,” “since,” “when,” “if,” “while,” “unless,” “where,” and “before,” among others.
Examples of Dependent Clauses Introduced by Subordinating Conjunctions:
- Because she was tired, she went to bed early.
- Since he missed the bus, he arrived late to work.
- When the sun sets, the stars become visible.
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Key Takeaways
- Definition: A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause to provide a complete thought.
- Introduction: Dependent clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “because,” “although,” “since,” “when,” “if,” “while,” and others.
- Function: Dependent clauses function as modifiers or qualifiers within a sentence. They provide additional information, context, or conditions to the main clause.
- Types: Dependent clauses can serve different purposes. Some common types include noun clauses, adjective clauses, adverbial clauses, relative clauses, purpose clauses, and time clauses.
- Connections: Dependent clauses are connected to independent clauses to form complex sentences. They add depth, detail, or specificity to the sentence’s meaning.
- Sentence Structure: Understanding how dependent clauses work helps construct grammatically correct sentences and avoid common mistakes such as fragments or run-on sentences.
- Placement: The placement of dependent clauses within a sentence is essential for clarity and meaning. They should be positioned in a way that maintains coherence and effectively conveys the intended message.
- Subordinating Conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions play a crucial role in introducing dependent clauses. Recognising and correctly using these conjunctions is essential for understanding and constructing complex sentences.
- Relationship with Independent Clauses: Dependent clauses rely on independent clauses for meaning. They cannot function independently as standalone sentences.
- Writing Skills: Mastering dependent clauses enhances writing skills by adding complexity, variety, and depth to sentence structures, enabling more nuanced and sophisticated expression.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Identifying a dependent clause in a sentence involves looking for specific characteristics that differentiate it from an independent clause.
Check for subordinating conjunctions: Dependent clauses are often followed by subordinating conjunctions: “because,” “although,” “since,” “when,” “if,” “while,” “unless,” “where,” and “before.” These words indicate a subordinate relationship and signal the presence of a dependent clause.
Test for independence: Imagine removing the dependent clause from the sentence. The clause depends if the remaining words can still form a complete thought and make sense independently. On the other hand, if removing the clause leaves an incomplete or nonsensical sentence, it is likely independent.
Examples:
- Because I was tired: dependent clause starts with the subordinating conjunction “because” and does not express a complete thought.
- He went to the store after he finished work: dependent clause is “after he finished work”, introduced by the subordinate conjunctions.
Yes, a sentence can have more than one dependent clause. It is common for complex sentences to contain multiple dependent clauses and an independent clause.
Example: When I arrived home [dependent clause 1], after I finished my homework [dependent clause 2], and before I went to bed [dependent clause 3], I watched a movie [independent clause].
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause. It establishes a relationship between the dependent clause and the rest of the sentence.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions: Here are some examples of subordinating conjunctions:
- Time: after, before, when, while, since, until
- Cause and Effect: because, since, as, so that
- Condition: if, unless, provided that, in case
- Contrast: although, though, even though, whereas
- Purpose: so that, in order that
- Concession: although, even if, though
- Manner: as, as if, as though
Examples of Dependent Clauses with Subordinating Conjunctions:
- I will go for a walk after I finish my work. (time relationship)
- Because it was raining, I took an umbrella. (cause and effect relationship)
- Although she was tired, she continued working. (contrast)
- So that he doesn’t forget, she wrote a note. (purpose)
The function of a dependent clause in a sentence is to provide additional information, add detail, or express a specific condition or circumstance.
Here are some standard functions of dependent clauses:
- Subject: A dependent clause can function as the subject of a sentence. Example: That he won the competition surprised everyone.
- Object: A dependent clause can function as the object of a verb or a preposition. Example: She admitted that she made a mistake.
- Adverbial Modifier: A dependent clause can function as an adverbial modifier, providing information about time, place, manner, condition, reason, or purpose. Example: We went to the beach when the sun was shining.
- Adjective Modifier: A dependent clause can function as an adjective modifier, providing additional description or clarification. Example: The bike that is parked in front of the house belongs to my neighbour.
- Complement: A dependent clause can function as a complement to complete the meaning of a verb or a noun. Example: His biggest fear is that he will fail.
No, a dependent clause cannot be a complete sentence. A dependent or subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.
Example: Dependent clause: Although she was tired.
In this dependent clause, we have a subject (“she”) and a verb (“was”), but the thought remains incomplete. It needs to provide more information or context as a complete sentence.
To make it a complete sentence, we need to combine it with an independent clause:
Complete sentence: Although she was tired, she continued working.
To ensure clear and effective communication, it’s important to remember common mistakes when using dependent clauses. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Fragments: One common mistake is using a dependent clause as a standalone sentence or fragment. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and require an independent clause to form a complete sentence. Ensure that each clause you use can function independently or is appropriately connected to an independent clause.
Example of a fragment: “Because I was tired.” (Missing independent clause)
Corrected sentence: “Because I was tired, I decided to go to bed.”
- Run-on sentences: Another mistake is combining multiple independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Use appropriate coordinating conjunctions or punctuation marks to join them correctly if you have numerous independent clauses.
Example of a run-on sentence: “I went to the store I bought some groceries.”
Corrected sentence: “I went to the store and bought some groceries.”
- Lack of clarity: Sometimes, dependent clauses can create confusion or ambiguity if not appropriately placed within a sentence. Ensure that the placement of the dependent clause is clear and logical so the intended meaning is easily understood.
Example of unclear placement: “After finishing my homework, the book was read.”
Improved sentence: “After finishing my homework, I read the book.”
- Incorrect subordinating conjunctions: Choosing the wrong subordinating conjunction can also lead to errors. Use the appropriate conjunction that accurately conveys the intended relationship between the dependent and independent clauses.
Example of incorrect conjunction: “Because I’m tired, I will go for a walk.”
Corrected sentence: “Since I’m tired, I will go for a walk.”
If you are looking for exercises and worksheets to test your mastery over dependent clauses, you have come to the right place!
