A dependent clause is not a complete sentence by itself and depends on independent clauses. Dependent Clauses are also known as subordinate clauses.

Examples

• When I grow up
• Although he sings well
• While the sun is still shining
• Who stole the watch

To complete the above dependent clauses into full sentences, we need to combine them with independent clauses:

Examples

• When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.
• Although he sings well, he has never given a stage performance.
• Let us go for a walk while the sun is still shining.
• I know the man who stole the watch.
• After we reached home, we watched a movie.

Note: Whenever the dependent clause comes first in a complex sentence, it is followed by a comma.

Dependent clauses are divided into three types of clauses:

• Noun Clause
• Adverb Clause
• Adjective Clause