Dependent Clause: Definition and Examples of Dependent Clauses

What is a dependent clause? One of the commongrammatical elementsyou are likely to come across in the English language is a dependent clause. Hearing this phrase, it might be difficult to understand what exactly it is. In this article, we are going to take a look at the definition of what a dependent clause is as well as seeing some examples to show how this clause works withina sentence.

Dependent Clause

What Is a Dependent Clause?

A dependent clause is one that relies on being used with another clause, usually anothertype of clause,independent clause. When used on its own, a dependent clause will notcreate a full sentenceand needs further information to turn it into one.

Dependent Clause Examples

We are now going to take a look at a few examples of these dependent clauses in order to further understand how they work. The following sentences will show the dependent clause highlighted in bold.

• When the aeroplane landswe will get off it.
• Because I cannot go to the concert,you can have my ticket.
• He can write much more neatlythan his girlfriend can.
• If you work on Saturday, I will look after your children for you.
• You can sleep in my spare room,whenever you are in town.
• Though I had never thought about it until nowthe song did sound like one I had heard before.
• I am not totally certainhow he won the race.
• This is the catwho has gone missing.
• Autumn is the seasonwhen the leaves fall from the trees.
• My sister is the onewho lives in thatcottage.
• These are the peoplewho we met on holiday.
• My father didn’t tell mewhy he said those things.
• They were lost and were not surehow they would find their way.
• What she believedwas not what happened.
• My brother doesn’t knowif he can drive there.
• We will give the best seats towhoever arrives the earliest.
• What the man didwas not useful to the situation.
• The prize will be given towhoever wins the race.
• She finally finished her college courseafter many years of studying.
• Where is the milkwhich was in the fridge?
• The actor,who starred in the film, was very talented.
• The bicyclewhich you sawbelongs to my son.
• Whenever I am in RomeI speak Italian.
• If you can give me a good reason,I will let you borrow my car.
• When the car returns,we can go home.
• Because my alarm did not go off this morning,I was late for work.
• When we arrived at the party, we were offered a drink.
• If I do not pay my tax bill, I will be charged a fee.
• If the weather is hot tomorrowwe can go to the beach.
• When I read this bookI feel happy.
• Does anybody knowhow long the train will be?
• My husband no longer plays footballbecause he hurt his leg.
• The event cannot startuntil the president arrives.
• I am trying to think aboutwhat will happen next in the drama series.

Dependent Clause Infographic

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Last Updated on February 2, 2020