LoginDependent Clauses
Dependent clauses are clauses that cannot form sentences on their own. In this lesson, we will learn all about dependent clauses.
What Are Dependent Clauses?
In English, there are two types of clauses. Dependent clauses, also known as subordinate clauses, are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb but do not express a complete thought on their own. They depend on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Dependent Clauses: Types
There are two types of dependent clauses in English:
- Finite Clauses
- Non-finite Clauses
Now, let us analyze each:
Finite Clauses
A finite dependent clause contains a subject and a finite verb, which means it is marked for tense, number, and person. Finite dependent clauses can function as adverbs, adjectives, or nouns within a sentence. A common type of finite dependent clause is a subordinate clause.
Subordinate Clauses
As the name suggests, subordinate clauses depend on an independent clause to be meaningful and complete. They cannot stand alone as complete sentences. Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below is a list of them:
Now, Take a look at some examples:
As you can see, the first clause is dependent and incomplete.
This is going to be ours,
Non-finite Clauses
Non-finite clauses are dependent clauses that do not have a finite verb, which means they are not marked for tense, number, or person. Non-finite clauses are formed using non-finite verb forms, and they can be categorized into two main types:
Now, let us analyze each:
Infinitives
An infinitive clause is formed using the base form of the verb, preceded by the word 'to'. Infinitive clauses do not have a meaning on their own and need an independent clause in order to be complete. They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence. Look at the following examples:
They didn't know how
As you can see, the infinitive clause is incomplete on its own.
Participle Clauses
There are two main types of participles: past and present participles. Participle clauses that begin with both these types are non-finite clauses and can function as adjectives within a sentence. As dependent clauses, they need to be followed by an independent clause to be complete. Look at the following examples:
A present participle clause
I saw a duck
A present participle clause
A past participle clause
Johnny,
A past participle clause
Position in a Sentence
As long as they are followed by an independent clause, dependent clauses can come at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the sentences. Look below:
Here, the sentence begins with a subordinate clause.
Rita called
In this example, an infinitive clause appears at the end of the sentence.
My boyfriend,
Here, a participle clause is placed in the middle of the sentence.
Punctuation Rules
When the dependent clause appears at the beginning of the sentence, it must be followed by a comma . Also, when the dependent clause is in the middle of the sentence, it must be placed between two commas. Pay attention to the examples:
The tall girl,
As you can see, the participle clause is placed between two commas.
Here, we have a comma after the subordinate clause.
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