Types of Dependent Clauses

Summary

This lesson explains dependent clauses, which are incomplete thoughts that rely on independent clauses to make sense. It covers three types of dependent clauses: noun clauses (used with question words or that-clauses), adverbial clauses (which function as adverbs to provide conditions, reasons, time, purpose, or concessions), and adjective or relative clauses (which modify nouns and often begin with relative pronouns like 'who' or 'which'). The video includes examples and discusses how these clauses can be used in different sentence structures to convey more information.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dependent clauses are also known as subordinate clauses, which cannot stand alone and need an independent clause to make sense.
• 😀 A dependent clause provides an incomplete thought, unlike an independent clause, which expresses a complete idea.
• 😀 The three main types of dependent clauses are noun clauses, adverbial clauses, and adjective (relative) clauses.
• 😀 Noun clauses can be formed with question words like where, when, what, or with conjunctions like if and whether.
• 😀 Noun clauses can also appear in 'that' clauses, expressing mental states, necessity, possibility, or truth (e.g., 'I'm disappointed that you aren't coming').
• 😀 Adverbial clauses act as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the independent clause and often express conditions, reasons, times, purposes, or concessions.
• 😀 Adverbial clauses can be placed before or after the independent clause (e.g., 'I will go if you go as well').
• 😀 Common subordinating conjunctions for adverbial clauses include because, although, if, when, and since.
• 😀 Adjective (relative) clauses modify nouns and usually start with relative pronouns like who, which, that, whom, where, or whose.
• 😀 Adjective clauses provide additional information about a noun, either identifying it or describing it further (e.g., 'The church, which is from the 14th century').

Q & A

What is a dependent clause?

A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought, making it unable to stand alone. It depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning.

What are the two types of clauses mentioned in the transcript?

The two types of clauses mentioned are independent clauses and dependent clauses. An independent clause expresses a complete thought, while a dependent clause requires an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

Can a dependent clause stand alone in a sentence?

No, a dependent clause cannot stand alone in a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. It relies on an independent clause for the sentence to make sense.

What are the three main types of dependent clauses discussed in the script?

The three main types of dependent clauses are noun clauses, adverbial clauses, and adjective (relative) clauses.

How are noun clauses used?

Noun clauses can be used in two main ways: they can follow conjunctions like 'where', 'what', 'when', 'if', and 'whether' to form questions, or they can appear in 'that' clauses expressing mental states, necessity, possibility, or truth.

What is an example of a noun clause in a question format?

An example of a noun clause in a question format is: 'Can you recall if you picked up my wallet?'

What function do adverbial clauses serve in a sentence?

Adverbial clauses act as adverbs and provide additional information about the main clause. They can express conditions, reasons, times, purpose, and concession.

Can adverbial clauses appear at the beginning or end of a sentence?

Yes, adverbial clauses can appear either before or after the independent clause in a sentence.

How do adjective (relative) clauses function in a sentence?

Adjective clauses act as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns. They usually begin with relative pronouns like 'who', 'which', 'that', 'whom', 'where', and 'whose'.

Can you provide an example of an adjective clause in a sentence?

An example of an adjective clause is: 'The student that spoke in class was placed in detention.' The clause 'that spoke in class' modifies 'the student'.