DEPENDENT CLAUSE and INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
A dependent clause is a group of words with a complete thought but cannot stand alone. In other words it cannot be a complete sentence. However, a dependent clause also contains a subject and a verb.
Example:
when I go home
if i finish working on the project
although i am dedicated to the task
because we need to improve ourselves
An independent clause is a true sentence and therefore can stand alone.
I will go home.
I finished working on the project.
I am dedicated to the task.
We need to improve ourselves.
Carefully determine the difference between the difference between a dependent clause and an independent clause. A dependent clause is usually preceded by words like when, although, because, since, after, before..etc.
Here is an example of a sentence that contains a dependent clause. The underlined clause is your dependent clause. Sometimes the dependent clause is found in the beginning of the sentence or even in the middle of the sentence.
We moved to New York because my father found a good job there.
The President of the country will spend $87 B for the reconstruction of Iraq since he initiated the military action against that country.
Although he find his work interesting, he still decided to transfer to another company.
The manager who resigned from work, was pressured by the owner of the comopany.
Exercise 1: Determine the dependent clause in the following sentences. Underline the dependent clause. There can be one or two dependent clauses in a sentence.
1 All the members of the club attended the meeting although there were differences in opinion.
2. Ms. Clay gratefully accepted the award because she felt that it would be good for the community.
3. I shall send you the flowers immediately when you give the blueprint.
4. Since the economy is down, the two firms decided to merge.
5. Whenever Paul has a chance, he reminds the board of the issue.
6. Mr.Darlington made a decision that affected the workers of the company.
7 Because the manager called them, they responded immediately.
8 Sandra asked Frank to work with her since he got A in Science.
9 When the manager called her, she prepared the agenda for the meeting although she had other things to do.
10 After he heard the news, the project was postponed indefinitely.
11 While the economy is upbeat, the profit will increase considerably.
12 The accounting department mailed you the duplicate bill although you didn't ask for it.