a clause that cannot function syntactically as a complete sentence by itself but has a nominal, adjectival, or adverbial function within a larger sentence; subordinate clause (Ex.: She will visit us if she can.)
see also independent clause
Examples of 'dependent clause' in a sentence
dependent clause
Then I'll say, `Yes, Ma" or `A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb," depending on where I am, and that gets me off the hook.