Dependent clause: Difference between revisions

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Also known as a [[subordinate clause]], a [[dependent clause]] is a phrase containing a [[noun]] and a [[verb]] which doesn't form a complete sentence by itself, needing the cover of a kindly [[main clause]] to give it meaning and orient it in the choppy waters of a modern [[sentence]]. It is usually introduced by a [[conjunction]] - [[subordinating conjunction]], in fact.
Also known as a [[subordinate clause]], a [[dependent clause]] is a phrase containing a [[noun]] and a [[verb]] which doesn't form a complete sentence by itself, needing the cover of a kindly [[main clause]] to give it meaning and orient it in the choppy waters of a modern [[sentence]]. It is usually introduced by a [[conjunction]] - [[subordinating conjunction]], in fact.
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{{seealso}}
{{seealso}}

Revision as of 18:18, 3 January 2017

Also known as a subordinate clause, a dependent clause is a phrase containing a noun and a verb which doesn't form a complete sentence by itself, needing the cover of a kindly main clause to give it meaning and orient it in the choppy waters of a modern sentence. It is usually introduced by a conjunction - subordinating conjunction, in fact.

Last night, I shot an elephant in my pajamas.

How an elephant got into my pajamas, I’ll never know.

—Groucho Marx

In the sentence, “How an elephant got into my pajamas, I’ll never know”, “I’ll never know” is the main clause, and “how an elephant got into my pajamas” is the dependent clause.

See also

Plain English Anatomy™ Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb | Preposition | Conjunction | Latin | Germany | Flannel | Legal triplicate | Nominalisation | Murder your darlings