Dependent clauses
On this example of dependent clause they are full sentences but the element that attaches to the dependent section can't stand -alone either, unless it's acting as a full sentence.
What the girl did was not very helpful.
The trophy goes to whoever wins the race.
I can’t figure out why she said that.
We will do whatever is necessary.
What the girl did ? (what did she do?)
Was not very helpful ? (because of)
Are they not both dependent when broken up this way aside from the subordinate whatever, why whoever ect.
Top answer
The underlined elements are either subject (your first example) or an obligatory complement (the others). As with most complements, if they are dropped what remains is ungrammatical. Nothing unusual about that.
- The underlined elements are either subject (your first example) or an obligatory complement (the others).
- As with most complements, if they are dropped what remains is ungrammatical.
- Nothing unusual about that.
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The underlined elements are either subject (your first example) or an obligatory complement (the others).
As with most complements, if they are dropped what remains is ungrammatical.
Nothing unusual about that.
0I think what's troubling you is that the dependent clause is embedded in the independent clause.
What the girl did is the part that your book (or whatever) is telling you is "dependent". I suppose they may have failed to say that the independent clause is the whole sentence: What the girl did was not very helpful.
These constructions differ from others you may be mor
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