What is a dependent clause
Answer: a dependent clause is the clause which can't stand alone because it doesn't convey complete meaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
A clause is a group of related words that contains a subject with an attached verb.
An independent clause is the clause that can stand alone as a sentence: it has a subject, a verb, and is a complete thought.
On the other hand, a dependent clause is the clause which can't stand alone because it doesn't convey complete meaning. It is dependent on being attached to an independent clause to form a complex sentence.
Example complex sentence:
A helium nucleus has two protons, whereas hydrogen has only one.
Dependent clauses can often be identified by words called dependent markers, which are usually subordinating conjunctions. Here, the dependent marker is "whereas", since the clause begins with this marker, it is dependent and needs to be attached to an independent clause: A helium nucleus has two protons. This independent clause has complete meaning.
