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Dependent Clauses: An Overview
Dependent
clauses
may
work
like
adverbs,
adjectives,
or
nouns
in
complex
sentences.
Adverbial clauses
Like
a
single-
word
adverb,
an
adverbial
clause
describes
a
verb
(in
the
sentence's
main clause) and
answers one of these questions
where
why
how
when
to what degree
An
adverbial
clause
begins
with
a
subordinating
conjunction,
which
makes
the
clause
subordinate
(dependent).
Common
subordinating conjunctions:
after
although
as
as far
as
as soon as
as if
as
though
because
before
even
if
even though
how
if
inasmuch as
in
case (that)
in
order (that)
insofar
as
in that
lest
no matter
how
now that
once
provided
(that)
since
so that
supposing
(that)
than
that
though
till
unless
until
when
whenever
where
wherever
whether
while
why
Example of adverbial
clause answering
when
When
will the flowers bloom
Answer:
when
spring arrives
Example of adverbial clause answering
why
Why
didn't
the
poor
woman
have
money
Answer
:
because
she
had
lost
her job
Example of
adverbial clause answering
where
Where
is there
fire
Answer
:
where there is smoke
Example of
adverbial clause answering
how
How
did
he
answer
the
question
Answer:
as
if
he
knew
the
subject
quite
well
Example of adverbial clause answering
to what degree
To what
degree
of lateness will Jones arrive
Answer:
(later)
than Smith (will
arrive)
Another example of an
adverbial clause answering
to what
degree
To
what degree
is he young
Answer:
(younger) than his
brother (is)
Comma use with
adverbial clauses
Comma use
with adverbial clauses depends upon
placement
of the adverbial
clause.
If the adverbial clause introduces the
sentence, place a comma between it and the
main clause.
If
the
adverbial
clause
follows
the
main
clause
in
a
sentence,
do
not
place
a
comma
between the two.
Adjectival clauses
Like a single-word
adjective, an adjectival clause describes a noun
(in the
sentence's main clause) and
answers one of these questions
which
one
what kind
An
adjectival
clause
usually
begins
with
a
relative
pronoun,
which
makes
the
clause
subordinate (dependent).
Common relative pronouns:
that
which
w
ho
whom
whose why
NOTE:
Use
who, whom, and whose
to
describe people.
Use
that
and
which
to
describe things
.
Adjectival
clauses
always
follow
the
person,
place,
or
thing
they
describe,
usually
immediately.
Example of adjectival clause answering
which one
Which
book did
Joe read
Answer:
the one that I gave him
Example of
adjectival clause answering
what
kind
What
kind
of politician has the support of
the
people
Answer
:
one who is
trustworthy
Adjectival clauses may also begin with
selected subordinating conjunctions:
when
- to describe a
time
where
-
to describe a place