The Sentence, Part Two: Clauses
The clause is the backbone of the sentence. Every sentence has one, and all other grammatical parts in a
sentence connect to it, including subordinate clauses. This resource explains the two types of clauses: the
independent clause that can stand alone or serve as the “main clause” of a sentence and the dependent clause,
also called a subordinate clause, which attaches to the main clause with a word called a “subordinator.”
Independent Clauses
Every sentence, to be complete, must have at least one
independent clause. A clause is independent when it has a
subject, verb, and a complete thought.
Examples
The candidate spoke about the economy.
Alternative health care is growing in popularity.
Children should not watch violence on television.
Figure 1: Windsurfer on Traverse Bay
Bears hibernate.
Tim windsurfs well. (Figure 1)
Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause, also called a subordinate clause, is a group of words that has a subject and a verb, but it is
not a complete idea. A dependent or subordinate clause also begins with a subordinator.
Examples
whenever it rains
since he went away
that we sent yesterday
To complete the thought, a subordinate clause must be attached to an independent or main clause.
Examples
My elbow hurts whenever it rains.
Since he went away, it has been quiet here.
They thanked us for the flowers that we sent yesterday.
Kaplan University Writing Center Resource Library, ELL  The Sentence Part Two: Clauses  October 2010
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Common Subordinators
Use to show a
place
relationship
where
wherever
Writing tip: A sentence will rarely
begin with a subordinating clause that
starts with where, wherever, what,
whatever, when, who, whose, or that.
Examples
Wherever you go, please remember to write me.
Please remember to write me wherever you go.
I do not know where I will go next.
Where I will go next, I do not know. (Not common!)
Use to show a
time
relationship
after
the next time
Examples
as long as
the last time
Whenever I see you, I smile.
as soon as
when
I smile whenever I see you.
before
whenever
every time
while
Writing tip: When a dependent clause comes before an
since
until
independent clause, use a comma to separate the clauses.
the
first
time
There are three types of dependent clauses: Adverb Clauses, Adjective Clauses, and Noun Clauses. The
Subordinating conjunctions of each type show the relationship between the dependent and independent
clauses.
Use to show a
because
Examples
cause and effect
relationship
in order that
now that
that
so that
since
why
Because Amanda missed the bus, she is late.
Amanda is late because she missed the bus.
although
even though
though
while
whereas
Examples
Although it was raining, Larry went to the beach.
Larry went to the beach, although it was raining.
if
only if
unless
whether or not
Examples
Unless you make reservations, you will not get a table.
You will not get a table unless you make reservations.
Use to show
place or person
relationship
where
who
Examples
This is the house where Maria lives.
Mary is the person who Pedro was dating last year.
Use to show
the beginning of
clause
that
(can often be omitted)
Examples
I think that he is a good person.
I think he is a good person.
Use to show a
contrast
relationship
Use to show a
conditional
relationship
Writing tip: Do not use a comma between the clauses
when the dependent clause follows the independent
clause.
Exception: a comma typically comes before “although.”
Kaplan University Writing Center Resource Library, ELL  The Sentence Part Two: Clauses  October 2010
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Peculiarities of Subordinators
Subordinating Clause or Prepositional Phrase?
Sometimes, the same words that act as “subordinators” instead function as “prepositions.” The difference is
that a subordinator is the first word of a dependent or subordinate clause that has a subject and verb.
Prepositions do not have a subject and verb.
Examples
“Before” as a subordinator: I ate dinner before I went to bed.
“Before” as a preposition: Part A needs to be installed before part B.
Writing tip: Visit the ELL Resource Library tutorial on Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases for more examples.
The many ways to use “that”
Sometimes “that” functions as a pronoun or a determiner, which can begin a sentence. However, when “that”
functions as a subordinator, it typically cannot begin the sentence.
Additionally, when “that” follows an independent clause, it does not take a comma before it whereas other
subordinators do.
Examples
“That” as a subordinator: This is the article that I read yesterday. (Correct usage, no comma.)
That I read yesterday, this is the article. (Not common!)
“That” as a pronoun: That is an informative article.
“That” as a determiner: That article is informative.
Writing tip: Dependent clauses starting with “that” almost never begin a sentence. Rather, they almost always
follow an independent clause as shown in the example: They thanked us for the flowers that we sent yesterday.
The special qualities of “who,” “which,” “that,” and “whose”
Sometimes when the words who, whose, which, and that are used to join clauses, they replace the noun of the
second clause in the sentence.
Examples
I like the people. They live next door.  I like the people who live next door.
I like the books. They have interesting plots.  I like the books, which have interesting plots.
She lives on an island. The island is very beautiful.  She lives on an island that is very beautiful.
I know the lady. Her son is coming today.  I know the lady whose son is coming today.
Kaplan University Writing Center Resource Library, ELL  The Sentence Part Two: Clauses  October 2010
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