Independent Clause vs. Subordinate Clause

Independent Clause An independent clause is a clause that can stand on their own as sentences.

Subordinate Clause A subordinate clause is a clause that is always dependent upon an independent clause to form a sentence. It also always begins with either a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Below is a list of the subordinating conjuctions and relative pronouns.

Subordinating Conjunctions

• after
• although
• as
• as if
• as long as
• as soon as
• as though
• because
• before
• even though
• in
• in order that
• once
• provided that
• since
• so that
• than
• though
• unless
• until
• whenever
• while
• *when
• *where

*where and when may also begin adjective or noun subordinate clauses
Relative Pronouns

• that
• whom
• whomever
• how
• why
• which
• whose
• what
• whichever
• whether
• who
• whoever 

• Adjective Subordinate Clause

  Adjective Subordinate Clause An adjective subordinate clause is a clause that acts as an adjective. It begins with a relative pronoun and, at times, when and where. The clause tells what kind or which one about the word being modified.
  Adverb Subordinate Clause An adverb subordinate clause is a clause that acts as an adverb. It begins with a subordinating conjunction. The phrase tells how, when, where, why, to what extent, or under what condition about the word being modified. 
  Noun Subordinate Clause
  A noun subordinate clause is a clause that acts as a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun and, at times, when and where. The clause provides the same information to the sentence as a noun.