ELPS

In English, complex sentences consist of more than one clause. One of these clauses is the main clause. Other clauses are subordinate to the main clause and serve as a single component of the main clause. They can form the subject, the object, the complement or the adverbial of the main clause.

Dependent clause as a subject

Reminder: The subject is the part of a sentence or clause that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb. It typically tells us who or what the sentence is about.

What Nora said surprised everyone.

The dependent clause acting as the subject of the sentence is: "What Nora said".

Dependent clause as an object

Reminder: An object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb or is affected by the action.

John didn't know where he was heading.

The dependent clause "where he was heading" provides extra information and serves as an object of the verb "know".

Dependent clause as a complement

Reminder: A complement is a word, phrase, or clause that completes the meaning of a sentence by providing additional information about the subject or object. Complements are necessary to make the sentence complete and meaningful.

The problem is that he didn't call.

The dependent clause "that he didn't call" acts as the complement. It gives essential information that completes the meaning of the main clause.

Dependent clause as an adverbial

Reminder: An adverbial is a word, phrase, or clause that functions like an adverb, modifying or giving more information about a verb, adjective, or even the entire sentence. Adverbials answer questions starting with what, why, when, how and to what extent.

I stayed home because it was raining.

The dependent clause "because it was raining" explains why the action in the main clause happened.

Independence and dependence of clauses

The main clause is an independent clause and can stand alone as a sentence. Subordinate clauses are dependent clauses and can't stand alone as a sentence.