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

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.
• I know the man who stole the watch.

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