Dependent Clause: Definition and Examples

Last updated on November 22, 2024 by Grammargeek

One of the common grammatical elements you are likely to come across in the English language is a dependent clause. Hearing this phrase, it might be difficult to understand what exactly it is. In this article, we are going to take a look at the definition of what a dependent clause is as well as seeing some examples to show how this clause works within a sentence.

What Is a Dependent Clause?

Dependent Clause Pin
Dependent Clause – Created by 7ESL

A dependent clause is one that relies on being used with another clause, usually another type of clause, the independent clause. When used on its own, a dependent clause will not create a full sentence and needs further information to turn it into one.

Dependent Clause Examples

We are now going to take a look at a few examples of these dependent clauses in order to further understand how they work. The following sentences will show the dependent clause highlighted in bold.

  • When the aeroplane lands we will get off it.
  • Because I cannot go to the concert, you can have my ticket.
  • He can write much more neatly than his girlfriend can.
  • If you work on Saturday, I will look after your children for you.
  • You can sleep in my spare room, whenever you are in town.
  • Though I had never thought about it until now the song did sound like one I had heard before.
  • I am not totally certain how he won the race.
  • This is the cat who has gone missing.
  • Autumn is the season when the leaves fall from the trees.
  • My sister is the one who lives in that cottage.
  • These are the people who we met on holiday.
  • My father didn’t tell me why he said those things.
  • They were lost and were not sure how they would find their way.
  • What she believed was not what happened.
  • My brother doesn’t know if he can drive there.
  • We will give the best seats to whoever arrives the earliest.
  • What the man did was not useful to the situation.
  • The prize will be given to whoever wins the race.
  • She finally finished her college course after many years of studying.
  • Where is the milk which was in the fridge?
  • The actor, who starred in the film, was very talented.
  • The bicycle which you saw belongs to my son.
  • Whenever I am in Rome I speak Italian.
  • If you can give me a good reason, I will let you borrow my car.
  • When the car returns, we can go home.
  • Because my alarm did not go off this morning, I was late for work.
  • When we arrived at the party, we were offered a drink.
  • If I do not pay my tax bill, I will be charged a fee.
  • If the weather is hot tomorrow we can go to the beach.
  • When I read this book I feel happy.
  • Does anybody know how long the train will be?
  • My husband no longer plays football because he hurt his leg.
  • The event cannot start until the president arrives.
  • I am trying to think about what will happen next in the drama series.
Latest posts by Grammargeek (see all)