Every clause has a subject and a verb. Some clauses can stand alone as sentences; some can’t. The difference is often one small word at the front, a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.
| Independent clause | Dependent clause |
|---|---|
| the bus is late | although the bus is late |
| Mia found her key | since Mia found her key |
| the bell rang | when the bell rang |
Key idea
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) begins with a word like because, when, if, who or that, and it can’t stand alone.
Why it works
A dependent clause leaves the reader waiting: “When the bell rang …” what happened? It must be attached to an independent clause that finishes the thought: “When the bell rang, we went home.” Written alone, it is a fragment.
Worked example: Find the dependent clause
“We waited patiently although the bus was late.”
- Two clauses: we waited patiently and although the bus was late.
- The second starts with although and can’t stand alone.
- The first could be a sentence by itself.
Answer: dependent: although the bus was late
Common mistake
Writing a dependent clause as if it were a sentence: “Because it rained.” Read it alone. If it leaves you waiting for the rest, join it to an independent clause: “We stayed inside because it rained.”