What does the term 'dependent clause' refer to?

• A. A clause that expresses a complete thought
• B. A clause that cannot stand alone
• C. A self-contained sentence
• D. A phrase without a verb

Answer: (B)

The term 'dependent clause' specifically refers to a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause to provide it with meaning and context. Dependent clauses typically begin with a subordinating conjunction such as "although," "because," "if," or "when," which indicates that the clause does not express a complete thought and needs additional information to form a coherent idea.

For example, in the sentence "Although it was raining, we went for a walk," the phrase "Although it was raining" is a dependent clause; it cannot convey a full idea by itself and is dependent on the independent clause "we went for a walk" to complete the thought. This understanding of dependent clauses is crucial in sentence structure, as it influences how sentences are constructed and how ideas are connected.