Meaning of Dependent Clause
An Independent Clause expresses a complete thought. But, a Dependent Clause, also known as a Subordinate Clause, gives a partial thought, it cannot exist on its own as a sentence. It must be combined with one or more Independent Clauses to form a complete idea.
When there’s enough snow, we’ll make snowballs.
For example, the sentence:
“When there’s enough snow, we’ll make snowballs,”
contains both an Independent and Dependent Clause.
The clause “when there’s enough snow” is dependent. It can’t exist on its own. The phrase lacks an Object (in regards to SVO). However, “we’ll make snowballs” is a complete thought and can exist as a sentence.
