0
Benjy Posted 6 years ago
Software & Reviews

DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

Dependent and independent clauses differ in terms of the meaning they convey. As a clause, each of them contains a subject and a verb. However, whereas an independent clause conveys a complete meaning, a dependent clause does not. Consider the following two expressions: 1. He couldn't participate in the race. 2. Because he had an injury. The expression in 1 is an independent clause, and as you can see, it conveys a complete meaning. He couldn't participate in the race. This makes complete sense. On the other hand, the expression in 2 is a dependent clause, and as you can see, it doesn't convey a complete meaning. “Because he had an injury…” So what? It doesn't make complete sense.

From these examples, we can see that an independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but a dependent clause cannot. A dependent clause must be joined to an independent clause for it to make sense. Let's join the above clauses: He couldn't participate in the race because he had an injury.

For a more detailed audio-visual explanation of the difference between dependent and independent clauses, with copious examples, watch the following video lecture:

  

Top answer

Yes, but note that in ordinary everyday speech we very often communicate with dependent clauses. eg A: Why didn't you come to class yesterday? B Because I was sick.

— Clive

  • Yes, but note that in ordinary everyday speech we very often communicate with dependent clauses.
  • eg A: Why didn't you come to class yesterday?
  • B Because I was sick.
  • Clive
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0

Yes, but note that in ordinary everyday speech we very often communicate with dependent clauses.

eg

A: Why didn't you come to class yesterday?

B Because I was sick.

Clive

0

Related Questions