dependent clause

(noun)

In linguistics, a dependent clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause) is a clause that augments an independent clause with additional information, but which cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Related Terms

Examples of dependent clause in the following topics:

  • Verb Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, and Imperative

    • Usually, the subjunctive mood is used in a dependent clause.
    • [Main clause "I wish" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "Paul would eat" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]
    • [Main clause "I suggest" is factual and in indicative mood; dependent clause "we wait until" is hypothetical and in subjunctive mood.]
    • The conditional mood is used for speaking of an event whose completion depends on another event.

  • Introduction to Commas

    • A dependent clause is a group of words that can't stand on its own as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.
    • Sometimes a dependent clause can be used to introduce a sentence.
    • In this situation, use a comma after the dependent clause.
    • Note that a dependent clause can come later in the sentence, but in that case, you would not use a comma:
    • Only use a comma to separate a dependent and independent clause if the dependent clause is first!

  • Components of a Sentence

    • (adjective clause)
    • The following are examples of clauses:
    • The following are independent clauses:
    • By contrast, dependent (also called subordinating) clauses cannot stand on their own.
    • The following are dependent clauses:

  • Using Varied Sentence Lengths and Styles

    • The two main categories of clauses are independent clauses and subordinate (or dependent) clauses.
    • Subordinate (or dependent) clauses include sentence-like patterns in terms of including subjects and verbs, but they cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
    • A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no subordinate clauses.
    • A compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.
    • A complex sentence consists of at least one independent clause and one subordinate clause.

  • Common Comma Mistakes

    • Do not use a comma before a dependent clause that comes after an independent clause.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
    • The independent clauses may not have any punctuation separating them, or they may have a coordinating conjunction between them, but without the comma that needs to accompany it to separate the independent clauses.
    • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can decide how best to separate the clauses.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.

  • Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

    • Once you discover where the two independent clauses are "spliced," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses:
    • You can use a semicolon between the two clauses if they are of equal importance; this allows your reader to consider the points together.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
    • If you locate a run-on sentence and find where the two independent clauses "collide," you can then decide how best to separate the clauses.
    • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.

  • Conjunctions: Coordination, Correlation, Conjunction, and Subordination

    • In English grammar, a conjunction is a part of speech that connects two words, sentences, phrases, or clauses.
    • Coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join, or "coordinate," two or more items (such as words, clauses, or sentences) of equal importance.
    • She likes swimming at the pool or in the river depending on how hot it is.
    • Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join two separate clauses.
    • A correlative conjunction is just one type of conjunction, which is a part of speech that connects two words, sentences, phrases, or clauses.

  • Subject-Verb Agreement

    • The verb "work" has two different forms, "work" and "works," depending on the subject.
    • Compound sentences (two sentences joined by a clause) have a subject and verb in each clause.
    • Make sure the subject of each clause agrees with the verb of each clause.
    • Fractional expressions vary depending on the meaning.
    • To figure out which noun the verb should agree with, begin by crossing out any prepositional phrases or other descriptive clauses.

  • Semicolons

    • Semicolons are used to link related clauses and to separate clauses that contain additional punctuation.
    • Semicolons, like colons and commas, indicate pauses within a sentence to show relationships between words and clauses.
    • Semicolons also link clauses of equal importance, but unlike commas, do not always require a coordinating conjunction.
    • Semicolons can join closely related independent clauses that are not linked with a coordinating conjunction:
    • Semicolons can also be used between independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb.

  • Varying Your Sentence Structure and Vocabulary

    • Readers need to depend on the paper's structure to be able to follow the argument.  
    • Clauses: The easiest way to vary sentence length and structure is with clauses.
    • Multi-clause sentences can connect related ideas, provide additional detail, and vary the pattern of your language.
    • Clauses can vary in length, too.