LESSON 2: DEPENDENT/SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Click here for the Grammar Byte explanation

Questions to ask when trying to identify a dependent/subordinate clause:

Does it make sense all by itself, or does it leave you wanting to know more?
Does it have a subject (noun) that is doing something (verb)?
Is there a subordinate conjunction connect a dependent clause to an independent clause?

Rules to know:

If the subordinate clause introduces the main/independent clause, then you put a comma after the subordinate clause. Can you identify the subordinate clause in the previous sentence?
Subordinate clauses that are tacked on after a main/independent clause don't require a comma. They don't require a comma because they are not introducing the main clause. Can you identify the subordinate clause in the previous sentence?

Subordinate Conjunctions ---> Click here for the Grammar Byte explanation.

Below is a list of subordinate conjunctions to look for when trying to identify subordinate clauses.

Find a book and click the practice link below to try your hand at finding subordinate clauses! Make sure to read the instructions carefully before beginning the quiz!