Sentence, Clause, Phrase - Functions of Dependent Clauses

Dependent clauses can perform different functions in different sentences. They can:

Act as nouns

I know that you want to sleep. I know. (Main Clause) That you want to sleep (Dependent Clause) Here, the dependent clause acts as the complement of the verb ‘know’. You can ask the question ‘I know what?’ and get the answer ‘thatyou want to sleep’. Hence, in this sentence, the dependent clause acts as a noun.

Act as adverbs

She reads newspaper because she wants to improve her general knowledge. She reads newspaper. (Main Clause) Because she wants to improve her general knowledge (Dependent Clause) Here, the dependent clause describes the verb ‘reads’. When you ask the question ‘reads newspaper why?,’ you get the answer ‘to improve her general knowledge’. Hence, in this sentence, the dependent clause acts as an adverb.

Act as adjectives

As an adjective, a dependent clause can be either restrictive or non-restrictive.

A restrictive clause provides essential information about the noun that it describes.

A non-restrictive clause provides additional information about the noun that it describes.

He who completes his work on time will get the chocolate. He will get the chocolate. (Main Clause) Who completes his work on time (Dependent Clause that is Restrictive) Here, the dependent clause describes the pronoun ‘he’. It acts as an adjective. It is also essential for identifying the pronoun. It is important to know the ‘he’ that will get the chocolate. It will be the ‘he’ who completes his work on time. The sentence would not mean the same in the absence of the dependent clause. Hence, it is restrictive.

[Remember: Do not use commas to separate the restrictive clause from the main clause.]

Ritu, who is considered a dynamic personality by her friends, was chosen as the Indian Ambassador to Canada. Ritu was chosen as the Indian Ambassador to Canada. (Main Clause) Who is considered a dynamic personality by her friends (Dependent Clause that is Non-restrictive) Here, the dependent clause describes the noun ‘Ritu’. It acts as an adjective, but it is not essential for identifying the noun. The sentence would mean the same even in its absence. Hence, it is non-restrictive.

[Remember: Use commas to separate the non-restrictive clause from the main clause.]