Dependent relationship

Definition

A dependent relationship in writing occurs when one clause or phrase relies on another for its complete meaning. This concept is crucial in understanding how sentences are structured, particularly in the use of coordination and subordination to create complex sentences that convey nuanced ideas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dependent relationships often occur through subordinate clauses, which begin with subordinating conjunctions like 'although', 'because', or 'when'.
2. These relationships are essential for creating complex sentences, allowing for more detailed expression of ideas than simple sentences.
3. The presence of a dependent relationship can indicate the hierarchy of information, helping to clarify which ideas are primary and which are secondary.
4. Dependent clauses can provide important context or additional information, which can enhance the reader's understanding of the main clause.
5. Using dependent relationships effectively can improve the flow of writing, making it more engaging and coherent for readers.

Review Questions

• How do dependent relationships enhance the complexity and clarity of writing?
  • Dependent relationships enhance writing by allowing writers to include additional information and context within sentences. By using subordinate clauses, writers can clarify relationships between ideas, emphasize certain points, or provide reasons and conditions that would be cumbersome to explain in separate sentences. This complexity not only enriches the text but also improves clarity by linking related thoughts together in a coherent manner.
• In what ways can a writer identify dependent relationships in their own work?
  • A writer can identify dependent relationships by looking for clauses that cannot stand alone and instead rely on an independent clause to make sense. These often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as 'if', 'when', or 'because'. By reviewing their sentences for these structures, writers can assess whether they are effectively using dependent clauses to provide additional information and how well those clauses integrate into the overall flow of their writing.
• Evaluate how the use of dependent relationships might affect a reader's interpretation of a text.
  • The use of dependent relationships significantly influences how a reader interprets a text by shaping the connections between ideas. When writers employ these structures effectively, they guide readers to understand the hierarchy and importance of various concepts, which may lead to deeper engagement with the material. Conversely, if dependent relationships are misused or overly complicated, they can confuse readers and obscure the intended message, demonstrating the importance of clarity in sentence structure.

Related terms

Independent Clause:

A clause that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

Subordinate Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence and depends on an independent clause for its meaning.

Compound Sentence: A sentence that combines two or more independent clauses, often joined by coordinating conjunctions.