A dependent word (also called a subordinating conjunction) is the first word in a dependent clause, which does not express a complete thought even though it has a subject and a verb. Whenever a dependent word starts what you think is a sentence, look for a subject, a verb, and, especially, a complete thought.
| FRAGMENT | Leila is still out of work. Even though the economy is recovering. [Even though introduces the dependent clause even though the economy is recovering. The clause has a subject, economy, and a verb, is recovering, but it does not express a complete thought.] |
Correct the fragment by connecting it to the sentence either before or after it. If you connect the fragment to the sentence after it, put a comma after the fragment to join it to the sentence.
| FRAGMENT | I took the bus. Because I missed my ride. |
| CORRECTED | I took the bus because I missed my ride. |
| CORRECTED | Because I missed my ride, I took the bus. |
Common Dependent Words
| after | if | what(ever) |
| although | since | when(ever) |
| as | so that | where |
| because | that | whether |
| before | though | which(ever) |
| even though | unless | while |
| how | until | who/whose |