What is the dependent clause? Definition of dependent clause.
A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. Because it cannot stand alone as a sentence, it must be connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence. Dependent clauses must begin with a clause marker such as, subordinating conjunctions (like although, because, since) or relative pronouns (like who, that, which).
Example of dependent clause
Dependent clause: Because she was tired
Independent clause: She went to bed early because she was tired.
Types of dependent clause with examples
There are four types of dependent clauses: Noun clause, Adjective clause, Adverbial clause, and Relative clause.
Noun clause
A noun clause is a type of dependent (subordinate) clause that functions as a noun within a sentence. Since it is a dependent clause, it contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. A noun clause often begins with words such as that, what, who, whom, how, when, where, why, or whether.
Noun clauses can serve various functions in a sentence: they can act as the subject, object, or complement of a verb or preposition.
Example
What she said was surprising.
Explanation: In this sentence, “What she said” is the noun clause. It acts as the subject of the sentence. Though it contains a subject (she) and a verb (said), it is not a complete sentence and thus dependent on the rest of the sentence for meaning.
In this case, the noun clause answers what was surprising, functioning as the subject of the verb was.
Adjective clause
An adjective clause is a type of dependent (subordinate) clause that functions as an adjective, meaning it modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence. Like all dependent clauses, an adjective clause contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It begins with relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, or that, or sometimes with a relative adverb such as when, where, or why.
Example
The book that I borrowed from the library is fascinating.
In this sentence, “that I borrowed from the library” is the adjective clause. It modifies the noun book by telling us which book is being referred to.
The adjective clause has a subject (I) and a verb (borrowed), but it cannot stand alone as a complete thought, making it a dependent clause. Its role in the sentence is to provide more information about the noun it describes.
Adverbial clause
An adverbial clause is a type of dependent (subordinate) clause that functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb in the sentence. Like all dependent clauses, it contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought on its own, meaning it needs to be connected to an independent clause. Adverbial clauses answer questions such as when, where, why, how, to what extent, or under what conditions something happens. These clauses are usually introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, if, when, while, as, since, and others.
Example
She left the party because she was feeling unwell.
In this sentence, “because she was feeling unwell” is the adverbial clause. It explains why she left the party, modifying the verb left.
The adverbial clause has a subject (she) and a verb (was feeling), but it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It is dependent on the main clause “She left the party” to provide full meaning.
Independent vs dependent clause
The difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause lies in their ability to express a complete thought and stand alone as a sentence.
1. Independent Clause:
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. It does not rely on another clause for meaning.
Example:
She finished her homework.
This is a complete thought. It has a subject (she) and a verb (finished), and it does not need any additional information to be understood.
2. Dependent Clause (also called a subordinate clause):
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought, so it cannot stand alone as a sentence. It needs an independent clause to give it full meaning. Dependent clauses usually start with subordinating conjunctions like although, because, when, if, since, or relative pronouns like who, which, that.
Example
Because she was tired.
This is an incomplete thought. Even though it has a subject (she) and a verb (was), it leaves us wondering what happened because she was tired. It requires an independent clause to complete the thought, such as “She went to bed early.”
Key Differences:
| Independent Clause | Dependent Clause |
| Can stand alone as a complete sentence. | Cannot stand alone; needs an independent clause. |
| Expresses a complete thought. | Expresses an incomplete thought. |
| Does not start with subordinating conjunctions. | Often begins with subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, when, although) or relative pronouns (e.g., who, which, that). |
| Example: I love reading. | Example: When I finish my book. |
How to identify dependent clause
To identify a dependent clause, follow these steps:
1. Look for a Subject and a Verb
A dependent clause, like an independent clause, will contain both a subject (the “who” or “what”) and a verb (the action or state). However, identifying these elements is only the first step.
Example
Although she studied hard
Subject: she
Verb: studied
2. Check if the Clause Expresses a Complete Thought
A dependent clause does not express a complete thought. Even though it has a subject and a verb, it will feel incomplete on its own and leave the reader asking for more information.
Example
Although she studied hard
This is incomplete because it makes you wonder what happened as a result of her studying.
If the clause cannot stand alone as a sentence, it is a dependent clause.
3. Look for Subordinating Conjunctions or Relative Pronouns
Dependent clauses often begin with words that signal dependence on another clause. These include subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, if, although, since, while, when, as) or relative pronouns (e.g., who, that, which).
Subordinating conjunctions introduce an adverbial clause.
Because he was late (dependent clause).
Relative pronouns introduce an adjective clause.
The book that I read (dependent clause).
4. Test by Removing the Subordinating Word
If you remove the subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun and the clause becomes a complete thought, then it is dependent.
Example
Because he was late. → Remove “because” → He was late.
Without “because,” the sentence is now complete, confirming that “Because he was late” is a dependent clause.
5. See If It Needs More Information to Make Sense
If the clause leaves unanswered questions (like what happened?, why?, or under what conditions?), it is dependent.
Example
When the rain started (What happened when the rain started?)
This needs an independent clause to complete the thought, such as we went inside.
Common clause markers of dependent clause
Common clause markers for dependent clauses are words that introduce dependent clauses and signal their relationship to the main (independent) clause. These markers often include subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Subordinating Conjunctions:
These are used to introduce adverbial clauses, which modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the main clause.
- Time: when, while, after, before, as, until, since, once
- Example: She left the house before it started to rain.
- Cause/Reason: because, since, as, now that
- Example: I stayed home because I wasn’t feeling well.
- Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as
- Example: We’ll go to the park if it doesn’t rain.
- Contrast/Concession: although, though, even though, while, whereas
- Example: She kept running although she was tired.
- Purpose/Result: so that, in order that, so
- Example: He studied hard so that he could pass the exam.
2. Relative Pronouns:
These are used to introduce adjective clauses, which modify nouns or pronouns in the main clause.
- Who/Whom/Whose (for people)
- Example: The man who helped me was very kind.
- Which/That (for things)
- Example: The book that you recommended is excellent.
- Where (for places)
- Example: This is the house where I grew up.
- When (for times)
- Example: I remember the day when we first met.
These clause markers signal that the clause cannot stand alone and is dependent on an independent clause for complete meaning.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ) about dependent clause
What is the difference between an independent and a dependent clause?
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone and relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
What are some common markers for dependent clauses?
Common markers for dependent clauses include subordinating conjunctions like because, although, if, when, since, and relative pronouns like who, which, that, when, where.
Can a sentence have more than one independent clause?
Yes, a sentence can have more than one independent clause, often joined by coordinating conjunctions like and, but, or (in a compound sentence).
What are 5 examples of dependent clauses?
- Because she missed the bus
- Although he studied hard
- If it rains tomorrow
- When the movie ended
- Which I found in the attic
Can dependent clauses stand alone as sentences?
No, dependent clauses cannot stand alone as sentences. They must be connected to an independent clause to form a complete thought.
How to tell if something is a dependent clause?
A group of words is a dependent clause if it contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It often starts with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if, when) or a relative pronoun (e.g., who, that, which). If the clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and needs to be connected to an independent clause, it is a dependent clause.
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