John eats eggs when his chickens lay them. Here is an example of a clause functioning like an adverb. The subject of the dependent clause is "his chickens," and the verb of the dependent clause is "lay.") (Compare this to "John eats free-range eggs." This proves the clause is functioning as an adjective. This is called a relative clause (or sometimes an adjective clause). Here is an example of a clause functioning as an adjective. In each of these examples, the dependent clause is highlighted. This means there are three types of dependent clause. We will use this as our main clause in the next three examples.)Ī dependent clause functions like an adjective, an adverb, or a noun. (This independent clause is literally a sentence. Look at this infographic:Īll clauses are categorized as one of the following:Īn independent clause (shown in bold throughout this lesson) can stand alone as a complete sentence. Remember that every dependent clause functions as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun. Compare the example with the sentence to " All the cars stop immediately." (This proves that "when they see a red flag" is functioning as an adverb.) Also, this clause is functioning like an adverb. 
The subject of this clause is "they," and the verb is "see." In the opening example, this clause is not shown in bold because it is a dependent clause. The main clause in any sentence is an independent clause. The subject of this clause is "All the cars," and the verb is "stop." We have shown this clause in bold because it is an independent clause.
All the cars stop when they see a red flag.
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