Definition

• cannot stand alone as a sentence

• usually begins with a subordinate conjunction

• dependent clauses include: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses

• a sentence with an independent clause and any number of dependent clauses is referred to as a complex sentence

• a sentence with two or more independent clauses and any number of dependent clauses is referred to as a compound-complex sentence

• clauses should not be confused with phrases which do not express complete thoughts through combinations of subjects and predicates

Examples

• The dog ran through the yard.

  • subject: The dog

  • predicate: ran through the yard

• That the kid was making so much money bothered me.

  • noun clause: That the kid was making so much money  (functions as a subject)

• Her eyes were a shade of blue that reminded me of the sea.

  • adjective clause: that reminded me of the sea

• I have a tendency to cry when I'm upset.

  • adverb clause: when I'm upset

• My sister cried because she scraped her knee.  (complex sentence)

  • subjects: My sister, she

  • predicates: cried, scraped her knee

  • subordinate conjunction: because

• When they told me I won the contest, I cried, but I didn't faint.  (compound-complex sentence)

  • subjects: they, I, I, I

  • predicates: told me, won the contest, cried, didn't faint

  • coordinate conjunction: but

  • The above sentence actually contains two dependent clauses. "When they told me" is one; the other is "(that) I won the contest." The "that" is understood to precede the "I won" and functions as a subordinate conjunction.