Glossary
dependent clause
A dependent clause has a subject and a verb but opens with a word that leaves it unfinished, so it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
A dependent clause has a subject and a finite verb and still cannot stand alone, because a subordinating word at its front leaves the reader waiting for a completion. Because the dressing was loose has a subject (dressing) and a verb (was), and it stops mid-thought: because what?
The subordinating words worth recognizing on sight are because, although, though, when, whenever, if, unless, while, since, after, before, until, as. A relative clause (the dressing, which was loose) is dependent in the same way and attaches to a noun instead of a whole clause.
A dependent clause is either attached to an independent clause or it is a fragment wearing a capital letter and a period. Because the dressing was loose. is a fragment; because the dressing was loose, the nurse replaced it is a sentence. When the dependent clause opens the sentence, a comma follows it; when it closes the sentence, no comma is needed unless the clause is non-essential.
Taught in
Related terms
- independent clause — An independent clause has its own subject and a finite verb and can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause has the same parts and still cannot.
- comma splice — A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma; a comma is not strong enough to hold two sentences together, so one of four repairs is needed.
- clause — A clause is a group of words with its own subject and verb; an independent clause can stand as a sentence, a dependent one cannot.
Source: The grammar guide in this course, whose conventions follow the US Government Publishing Office's Style Manual for standard written American English, with standard grammar references for agreement, case, tense and sentence structure. The GPO manual is US federal government material, not subject to copyright in the United States. Every definition and example above was written for this course; no reference text is reproduced. (GPO Style Manual accessed 2026-10-27; definitions written 2026-10-27)