In this lesson, we review the dependent clause, another basic building block of written language. This lesson, along with the lessons on independent clauses and on phrases, prepares you for the lessons to follow. After completing this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
Differentiate between independent and dependent clauses
Differentiate between conjunctive adverbs and dependent markers
Produce three types of dependent clauses: noun, adjective, and adverb
Combine dependent and independent clauses
About Dependent Clauses
Just as we characterized an independent clause by its construction, so can we characterize a dependent clause. Both independent and dependent clauses have a subject + predicate. There is only one difference between the two clauses: a dependent clause has a dependent marker. That's it. The difference between an independent and dependent clause rests on the appearance of one word.
Dependent markers include words such as
as, after, before, until, once, since, while, when, whenever (relating to time)
where, wherever (relating to place)
although, though, despite (acknowledging contradictions)
if, even if, even though, how, unless, whether (acknowledging contingencies)
because, in order to, why (examining cause and effect)
who, which, that (relative pronouns)Consider how the addition of one word changes the nature of the clause:
The inspector uses a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal. (independent clause)
After the inspector uses a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal... (dependent clause)
Unless the inspector uses a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal... (dependent clause)
Only the first example is an independent clause and a complete sentence. By adding a dependent marker such as "after" or "unless," we turn the last two examples into dependent clauses. And because those examples are dependent, they cannot be complete sentences.
Again, a dependent clause cannot constitute a complete sentence by itself. Because a dependent clause alone is a sentence fragment, the last two examples above need an independent clause in order to make a complete sentence:
After the inspector uses a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal, she examines the turbine under a magnifying class and black light.
Our customer will not accept our bid unless the inspector uses a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal.
Notice that dependent clauses may come before or after an independent clause. They may also be inserted into another clause, as in this case: "The inspector, who uses a dye to reveal imperfections in the metal, presented last month's quality assurance statistics."
Don't Confuse Dependent Markers with Conjunctive AdverbsDependent markers should NOT be confused with words such as however, consequently, therefore, and also, which are conjunctive adverbs. Such adverbs can be used in independent clauses and do not create dependent clauses.
One way to tell whether you're dealing with a dependent marker or a conjunctive adverb is to check whether the word can be moved around in the clause. For example, you can place "however," in several spots in this clause:
The project manager will review the data in the morning.
You can wait until the morning to submit your data. However, the project manager will review the data in the morning.
Several people are scheduled to review the data within the month. The project manager, however, will review the data in the morning.
The data analysis is not due until next week. The project manager will review the data itself, however, in the morning.
You couldn't exchange a dependent marker such as "because" for "however" in the last three examples. Remember that dependent markers can only appear at the beginning of a dependent clause. In other words, you could write
You should submit the data tonight because the project manager will review it in the morning.
But you couldn't write
You should submit the data tonight the project manager because will review it in the morning.
Dependent markers cannot be placed anywhere in a clause, but conjunctive adverbs can.
Why Should You Care about This?
You should be able to identify dependent clauses for at least three reasons. First, knowing how to create dependent clauses allows you to combine them with independent clauses, which in turn enables you to avoid strings of short, choppy sentences. This in turn improves paragraph cohesion.
Second, differentiating between dependent and independent clauses helps you avoid sentence fragments. Writers most often create fragments when they mistake a dependent clause for a complete sentence.
3 years ago
The original post is available at
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 252AACMZxjThe author is Dr. Stuart Blythe
Department of English & Linguistics
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort WayneThis topic has been created solely for education purpose and has no intention of making profit in any form.