dependent clause

dependent clause

n.

A clause that cannot stand alone as a full sentence and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence. Also called subordinate clause.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

dependent clause - a clause in a complex sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and that functions within the sentence as a noun or adjective or adverb subordinate clause complex sentence - a sentence composed of at least one main clause and one subordinate clause clause - (grammar) an expression including a subject and predicate but not constituting a complete sentence restrictive clause - a subordinate clause that limits or restricts the meaning of the noun phrase it modifies descriptive clause, nonrestrictive clause - a subordinate clause that does not limit or restrict the meaning of the noun phrase it modifies