Grammar: The Dependent Clause

Posted December 26, 2014 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Grammar Explanations, Self-Editing, Writing

Revised as of
28 Jan 2023

Oh, boy, the clauses . . . and I don’t mean Santa.

The dependent clause, a.k.a., subordinate clause, is one of two primary clauses in English; the other being the independent clause. Be aware that there is no one dependent clause, but a slew of them with particular “jobs”, including the adjective clause, the adverbial clause, the conditional clause, sometimes the elliptical clause, the finite / nonfinite clause, the introductory clause, the noun clause, and the relative clause.

NOTE: This post explores the general concept of the dependent clause. For specifics about the different types of dependent clauses, explore the post links above.

Dependent clauses are quite flexible in that there can be clauses inside clauses, a blend of different clauses, or a mix of the same clause inside another of the same. Or a different one. Or . . .

Essential or Nonessential?

One critical rule you must adhere to is whether any of the above clauses are essential or nonessential (other terms that mean the same thing include restrictive / non-restrictive and defining / nondefining clauses) and mean one thing: they mustn’t have a comma(s) or must have a comma(s).)

Grammar Explanations is . . .

. . . an evolving list of the structural rules and principles that determines where words are placed in phrases or sentences as well as how the language is spoken. Sometimes I run across an example that helps explain better or another “also known as”. Heck, there’s always a better way to explain it, so if it makes quicker and/or better sense, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on an area of grammar with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.

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Common Dependent Marker Words
Dependent Clause
Definition: A group of words with a subject and a verb that is not a complete sentence (a sentence fragment) and does not convey a complete thought, although it does have different functions within a sentence. A dependent clause may act as a noun or it acts as a modifier — an adverb or an adjective. A.k.a., subordinate clause , sentence fragment Some grammarians use the term subordinate clause as a synonym for dependent clause; others use it to refer only to adverbial dependent clauses. POST CONTENTS Common Dependent Marker Words Positioning a Dependent Clause Types of Dependent Clauses Adjective Adverb Clause Noun Clause Relative Clause
Rule: Connect an independent and dependent clause with a coordinating conjunction, a subordinating conjunction, or a relative pronoun.
Logic	Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)	Subordinating Conjunctions	Relative Pronouns
Addition	and
Cause	for
Choice, Option, Alternative	nor or
Comparison		than
Condition		assuming that even if if if only only if provided (that) that* ** unless until whether or not
Example, Illustration, Explanation, Reason		as because in order that in order to now that since so why
Manner		as if as though how
Opposition, Contrast, Concession	but yet	although even if even though rather than though whereas while
People			that* ** who (subject)* whom (object)
Place		where wherever
Possession			whose
Result or Effect	so	in order that in that so that
Things			that* ** what* whatever which* whichever
Time		after before as long as as soon as once since until when whenever while
* Can be both a dependent word and the subject of the dependent clause (Wilson, 73). ** That may also be a pronoun or an adjective.
Examples of Conjunctions in Use as Dependent Markers
Legend: Yellow indicates the marker word Green indicates the dependent clause because Mary left for Africa whenever she did it while we were gone although she said it whose body is it whereas the party of the first part ever since George went home if you’re going to be that way Ever since George went home, you’ve been moping around the house. Well, if you’re going to be that way, I really don’t see what I can do. Return to top
Positioning a Dependent Clause
Start of a Sentence	Rule: Dependent clause begins the sentence; follow it with a comma before continuing the independent clause.
	Until Mary showed up, Helen and Karrie were talking about her behind her back. Legend: Green indicates the dependent clause and its following comma
End of a Sentence	Rule: Appearing at the end of an independent clause—don’t use a comma
	Helen and Karrie were talking about Mary behind her back until she showed up. Legend: Green indicates the dependent clause
Middle of a Sentence	Rule: Don’t use a comma if a dependent clause is in the middle of an independent clause.
Return to top	The horse that won the race was a roan. Legend: Green indicates the dependent clause
Types of Dependent Clauses
Adjective Clause	Definition: A dependent clause that modifies a noun with an adjective(s) as the primary word in the clause. It can sometimes also be a relative clause if the clause is introduced by a relative pronoun.
	Rule:
	“Any man who hates dogs and children can’t be all bad.” – W.C. Fields “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character .” – the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is the song that hurts the most. The game, which attracted 100,000 people, lasted more than five hours. He who laughs last laughs best. Legend: Yellow indicates the adjective clause Green indicates the adjective Orange indicates the dependent clause Blue indicates the noun White-on-Blue indicates another adjective phrase
Adverb Clause	Definition: Provides information about what is going on in the independent clause: why, how, when, or where something occurs. A.k.a., relative clause, subordinate clause
	Rule: When used as an adverb, it is usually part of a complex sentence with an independent clause connected to at least one dependent clause. It’s a relative clause when introduced with a relative pronoun It’s a subordinate clause when introduced with a subordinating conjunction
	When the movie is over, we’ll go downtown. John wanted to write a book because he had so much to say about the subject. Legend: Yellow indicates the subordinating conjunction Green indicates the relative pronoun
Noun Clause	Definition: Noun clauses can do anything that nouns can do.
	Rule: Sometimes looks like adjective clauses because they share some of the same dependent words, but their use is entirely different. While an adjective clause tells something about the noun, the noun clause is still a noun and serves as subject or object and occupies the subject-object positions within a sentence.
	What he knows is no concern of mine. Do you know what he knows? What can you tell me about what he has done this year? Legend: Yellow indicates the object Green indicates the subject Orange indicates the preposition Blue indicates the object of the preposition
Relative Clause	Definition: A dependent clause that connects to the independent clause of the sentence by a relative pronoun such as who, whom, which, that, whose, when, where, or why (see the full list of relative pronouns) and contains a subject and a verb.
	Rule: It can be essential or nonessential.
	The witch who wore the ruby slippers was crushed by Dorothy’s house. The soldiers who guarded the gates of the witch’s castle sang as they marched. My brother, who is an engineer, figured it out for me. She’s sleeping with Lucian Dupont, a wingless Aedh who is obsessed with revenge. The dog that escaped the pound has been found. The bridge that collapsed in the winter storm will cost millions to replace. The road that Dorothy traveled was made of yellow bricks. The witch that Dorothy crushed had a twin sister. Legend: Green indicates the relative clause (they’re also relative clauses)

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

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