A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. An independent clause tells about one thing happening.
We learned last week that one independent clause makes a simple sentence. Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction make a compound sentence.
A dependent clause also has a subject and a verb, but a dependent clause cannot stand alone. A dependent clause must be attached to an independent clause.
A dependent clause is also called a subordinate clause because the dependent clause is subordinate to the independent clause. A subordinate clause depends on the independent clause to fully impart the information. A dependent clause (or a subordinate clause) cannot be a sentence by itself. A dependent clause alone is a sentence fragment.
Here are some examples of subordinate (or dependent) clauses:
after we eat dinner.
before the bell rings.
while you are here.
if it rains.
You will notice that each of these clauses has a subject and a verb, but the clauses by themselves do not make sense. Without an independent clause, a dependent clause is only a fragment of a sentence.
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but a dependent clause alone does not make a complete sentence, A dependent clause must be connected to an independent clause to make a complete sentence.
▶It’s your turn. Which of these groups of words is a clause? over the river. after we eat dinner. Can you see that the second groups of words is a clause? Those words include a subject and a verb. Did you also notice that the clause is a dependent clause? Good for you!