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:

  • Moods in Dependent Clauses

  • 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.

  • The Establishment Clause: Separation of Church and State

    • The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. " Together with the Free Exercise Clause ("... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"), these two clauses make up what are called the "religion clauses" of the First Amendment.
    • Incorporation of the Establishment Clause in 1947 has been tricky and subject to much more critique than incorporation of the Free Exercise Clause.
    • Critics have also argued that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is understood to incorporate only individual rights found in the Bill of Rights; the Establishment Clause, unlike the Free Exercise Clause (which critics readily concede protects individual rights), does not purport to protect individual rights.
    • One main question of the Establishment Clause is: does government financial assistance to religious groups violate the Establishment Clause?
    • Distinguish the Establishment Clause from other clauses of the First Amendment

  • Interstate Relations

    • States are prohibited from discriminating against citizens of other states with respect to their basic rights, under the Privileges and Immunities Clause.
    • Under the Extradition Clause, a state must extradite people located there who have fled charges of treason, felony, or other crimes in another state if the other state requests extradition.
    • However, the ability to enforce the provisions is dependent on the absence of congressionally authorized discrimination.

  • 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.