Clauses: Dependent vs. Independent

  1. looking for freedom [NOT A CLAUSE]
  2. looks for freedom [NOT A CLAUSE]
  3. their looking for freedom [NOT A CLAUSE]
  4. that they looked for freedom [A CLAUSE]
  5. They looked for freedom. [A CLAUSE]

 

As you can see items 4 and 5 are both clauses.

  • Item 5, on the other hand, is an Independent Clause, as it conveys a complete meaning on its own.
  • Item 4 is a Dependent Clause, as it does not convey a complete meaning on its own. We need to add something to it.
      • “Everyone knew that they looked for freedom.”
      • “That they looked for freedom was known to everyone.”

What role does each Dependent Clause play in the following sentences?

  1. The students who were at the library did not hear the explosion.
  2. Everyone ran towards the place where the car had exploded.
  3. When you leave, you will be missing much.
  4. You will find it more challenging to learn certain skills after you graduate.
  5. What she announced shocked her classmates.
  6. We could not believe that she was planning to marry a total stranger.

 

 

Answers

  1. The students who were at the library did not hear the explosion. [an adjective, describing the noun “the students“]
  2. Everyone ran towards the place where the car had exploded. [an adjective, describing the noun “the place“]
  3. When you leave, you will be missing much. [an adverb, giving the time of the verb “will be missing“]
  4. You will find it more challenging to learn certain skills after you graduate. [an adverb, giving the time of the verb “will find“]
  5. What she announced shocked her classmates. [a noun, acting as the subject of the verb “shocked“]
  6. We could not believe that she was planning to marry a total stranger. [a noun, acting as the object of the verb “believe“]

 

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