Dependent Clause - Dependent Words

Dependent Words

In Indo-European languages, a dependent clause usually begins with a dependent word. One kind of dependent word is a subordinating conjunction. Subordinating conjunctions are used to begin dependent clauses known as adverbial clauses, which act like adverbs. In the following examples, the adverbial clauses are bold and the subordinating conjunctions are italicized:

• Wherever she goes, she leaves a piece of luggage behind.

(The adverbial clause wherever she goes modifies the verb leaves.)

• Rodge enjoyed the movie more than I did.

(The adverbial clause than I did modifies the adverb more.)

A subordinating conjunction can also introduce a noun clause:

• I know that he likes me.

(The noun clause that he likes me serves as the object of the main-clause verb know.)

Another type of dependent word is the relative pronoun. Relative pronouns begin dependent clauses known as relative clauses; these are adjective clauses, because they modify nouns. In the following example, the relative clause is bold and the relative pronoun is italicized:

• The only one of the seven dwarfs who does not have a beard is Dopey.

(The adjective clause who does not have a beard describes the pronoun one.)

A relative adverb plays the role of an adverb in a relative clause, as in

• That is the reason why I came.

(The relative clause why I came describes the noun reason, and within the relative clause the adverb why modifies the verb came.)

• That is the place where he lives.

(The relative clause where he lives describes the noun place, and within the relative clause the adverb where modifies the verb lives.)

An interrogative word can serve as an adverb in a noun clause, as in

• No one understands why you need experience.

(The noun clause why you need experience functions as the direct object of the main-clause verb "understands", and within the noun clause why serves as an adverb modifying need.)