dependent clause
Needs main clause
A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
It depends on an independent clause to form a complete thought: Because she was tired needs something like she went home early to make sense.
Also called a subordinate clause.
Common markers include words like *if*, *when*, *although*, *because*, and *that*.
Statement with subordinate clause
- subordinatorDependent clause marker
- restrictiveImposing narrow boundaries
- nonrestrictiveNot defining or limiting
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
For the reason that
- althoughConcessive conjunction
- sinceFrom then onward
- unlessExcept if
- whereasConjunction signaling contrast
while · whenever · wherever · though · after · before · until · provided
Antecedent-referring clause introducer
Assumed but unproven
- conditionState or stipulation
- counterfactualContrary-to-fact supposition
- contingencyUncertain possible event
complex sentence
Statement with subordinate clause
- subordinatorDependent clause marker
- restrictiveImposing narrow boundaries
- nonrestrictiveNot defining or limiting
because
For the reason that
whereas · while · whenever · wherever · though · after · before · until · provided · assuming
relative pronoun
Antecedent-referring clause introducer
that · whose · where · when · antecedent · modifier · defining
hypothetical
Assumed but unproven
- conditionState or stipulation
- counterfactualContrary-to-fact supposition
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- grammardeclension, pronouns, adjectives, conjugation, nouns
- grammar termsnoun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun
- syntaxsentence, verb, noun, adjective, adverb
- clausesmain clauses, subordinate clauses, embedded clauses, if clauses, reported speech
- subordinationsubordination, because, although, while, when
- sentence fragmentssentence fragment, fragment, incomplete sentence, phrase, ellipsis
dependent clauseindependent clause
Self-sufficient grammatical unit
main clause · complete sentence · simple sentence · sentence
depend, independent, dependent, clause, depending, dependency, depended, dependability, dependents