Dependent Clauses

What is a Dependent Clause?

A dependent clause, also known as the subordinate clause is not capable of standing alone as a complete sentence in English. Let us understand what is a dependent clause. You must know that it is a set of words with a subject and verb. It’s not a whole sentence or statement. A dependent clause must be related to an independent clause in order to exist. A sentence can be framed using both independent and dependent clauses.

In case, the dependent clause is used in writing all alone, not only readers will get confused about its meaning, but also the writing is considered incomplete and fragmented. 

Mentioning Different Types of Dependent Clauses

Now that you know what is a dependent clause let’s learn about its types. The dependent clauses are categorized into three different types:

• Adverbial Dependent Clauses

This particular type of dependent clause acts similar to the adverb. Basically, the adverbial dependent clause provides more details about the main verb that is mentioned in the independent clause. Similar to adverbs that cannot be used alone to make a complete sentence, this particular dependent clause cannot also exist alone in the writing. 

Adverbial dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions including before, after, because, if, even, etc. 

Examples of adverbial dependent clauses are-

• When the prime minister arrives
• Before the food gets finished
• Because I can’t chase the bus

• Adjective Dependent clauses

This particular type of dependent clause acts similar to the adjective. Basically, the relative dependent clause provides more details about the noun or pronoun that is mentioned in the independent clause. No matter if the specific noun or pronoun is a subject or object, it should be included in the independent clause.

The relative dependent clauses begin with relative pronouns including which, whose, that, who, or whom.

Examples of relative dependent clauses are-

• That I bought from her
• Whom we met before the lunch
• Who live by the beach
• Which is located in the United States

• Noun Dependent Clauses

There is little difference between noun-dependent clauses and adverbial or relative dependent clauses. This particular clause can take the role of any noun (name, place, thing, or idea) in the English sentence, so it is recommended to be careful when identifying this specific clause. 

Since it is a noun, it can take the place of a subject, object, subject complement, object complement, or an appositive. In case the noun dependent clause is playing the role of a subject in the mentioned sentence, then it is not dependent. But if the noun dependent clause is playing the role of an object in the mentioned sentence, then it is a dependent clause. 

Interrogative pronouns such as what, how, why, when, etc, or expletives such as whether, that, if, etc are used to start a noun-dependent clause. 

Examples of noun dependent clauses are-

• Why does he say that
• What he forecasted
• Whatever makes him happy
• If he is happy with her

How can One Understand the Dependent Clauses?

The following mentioned are some key tips that will help you understand the dependent clause:

1. Dependent clauses are not capable of existing alone and thus, must be connected with an independent clause to form a complete sentence. 
2. The roles played by dependent clauses in the sentences are either adverbs, nouns, or adjectives.
3. While a dependent clause adds valuable information to the sentences, it is not essential to add a dependent clause to form the complete sentence. 

Conclusion

When it comes to dependent clauses, they are made up of a subject, verb and predicate. But a dependent clause can never stand alone as a complete sentence. The reason for this is that it starts with subordinating words. Dependent clauses, basically, are of three types- adverbial clause, relative clause, and noun clause. It is considered essential to know about dependent clauses because these add more information to the sentence.Sufficient knowledge about the dependent clause will help you differentiate different dependent clauses.