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dependent clause

A clause with a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

A dependent clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence — it opens with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun, which sets up an expectation the clause never finishes on its own, and it depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning.

Examples

  • Because I was tired

  • who missed the deadline

See also

independent clause subordinating conjunction sentence fragment
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