Definition of dependent clause

The term "dependent clause" originated in the study of grammar, particularly in the context of analyzing sentences in English. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate, forming a complete grammatical sentence. In certain situations, a clause may not stand alone as a separate sentence but instead is dependent on another clause or sentence to make sense. Such a clause is referred to as a "dependent clause" or a "subordinate clause." The origin of the term "dependent clause" can be traced back to the early 20th century. The term was introduced in linguistic and grammatical texts as a descriptive label for a type of grammatical structure that was seen as dependent on or subordinate to another clause for meaning and coherence. The term has since become a standard part of grammatical terminology and is used to refer to a variety of grammatical structures in English and other languages. Dependent clauses can hold different functions in a sentence, such as providing additional information, presenting conditions, or expressing concession, among others. In summary, the term "dependent clause" describes a grammatical construction that requires another clause or sentence to complete its meaning, and it is commonly used in linguistic and grammatical analysis to provide a clear and descriptive label for this type of grammatical structure.