The best part is, it is actually quite simple. Knowing which clauses are main (independent) and which are subordinate (dependent) will help you organize your ideas and place your commas correctly. It will help you to avoid hearing the words (from a teacher, editor, or coworker), “You should put a comma there.” Or the equally delightful, “You shouldn’t have put a comma there.” Now that you can identify a subordinate or dependent clause, you may wonder how this information can be helpful to you. Why do I need to know which clauses are subordinate? The name subordinate clause matches the term subordinate conjunction, the words that begin a subordinate clause, also mentioned above. The term dependent clause is used to contrast against independent clauses, the clauses mentioned above that don’t need anything extra to form a complete sentence. The term dependent clause is simply another name for subordinate clauses. What’s the difference between a dependent clause and a subordinate clause? In a word, nothing. Spotting these words can tip you off that you are dealing with a subordinate clause rather than a main clause. They can also begin with relative pronouns such as that, which, who, whom, whichever, whoever, whomever, and whose. Subordinate clauses will often begin with subordinating conjunctions, which are words that link dependent clauses to independent clauses, such as for, as, since, therefore, hence, consequently, though, due to, provided that, because, unless, once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after. What will happen if I can find my wallet? If a clause in your sentence leaves us hanging like this when set apart on its own, it is a subordinate clause.
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