Dependent Clauses: Sentence Structure

Introduction: In the world of English grammar, understanding sentence structure is like unlocking a door to effective communication. Sentences are the building blocks of language, and within them, we find various components that work together to convey meaning. One such crucial component is the dependent clause. Let’s delve into what dependent clauses are and how they function within sentences.

What are Dependent Clauses? Dependent clauses, also known as subordinate clauses, are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as complete sentences. They rely on independent clauses to give them meaning and context. Think of them as sidekicks to the main clause, providing additional information or completing the thought expressed in the independent clause.

Identifying Dependent Clauses: Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as ‘because,’ ‘although,’ ‘while,’ ‘since,’ ‘if,’ ‘when,’ and ‘after.’ These words signal that the clause they introduce is dependent and cannot function independently. Let’s look at some examples:

1.  Because she was tired, she decided to go to bed early.
2.  Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
3.  When the bell rang, class was dismissed.

In each of these examples, the dependent clause is highlighted, and you can see how it relies on the independent clause to make sense.

Types of Dependent Clauses: Dependent clauses can serve various functions within a sentence. Some common types include:

1.  Adverbial Clauses: These clauses modify the verb in the main clause by providing information about time, place, reason, condition, or manner.
   • After she finished her homework, she went to bed. (Time)
   • Because it was raining, we stayed indoors. (Reason)
2.  Adjectival Clauses: These clauses modify nouns or pronouns in the main clause, providing additional descriptive information.
   • The book that I borrowed from the library is interesting.
   • She met the man who helped her yesterday.
3.  Noun Clauses: These clauses function as nouns within the sentence, often serving as the subject or object.
   • a. What she said made me happy.
   • b. Whoever arrives first can start the game.

Using Dependent Clauses Effectively: Understanding how to use dependent clauses can enhance your writing and communication skills. By incorporating them into your sentences, you can provide more detail, complexity, and depth to your ideas. However, it’s essential to ensure that dependent clauses are correctly connected to independent clauses to maintain clarity and coherence.

Conclusion: Dependent clauses are integral components of sentence structure, working in tandem with independent clauses to convey meaning. By mastering the use of dependent clauses, you can elevate your English language skills and express yourself with greater precision and clarity.

Practice Exercises:

1. Identify the dependent clauses in the following sentences.
2. Write your own sentences using dependent clauses to express various ideas.
3. Combine the given independent and dependent clauses to form complete sentences.

Exercises : 

• Exercise 1: Dependent Clauses | Practice Test Online
• Exercise 2: Dependent Clauses | Practice Test Online
• Exercise 3: Dependent Clauses | Practice Test Online

Remember: Practice makes perfect! Keep exploring and experimenting with dependent clauses to become a more proficient English communicator.