Here's why:
* Dependent: They depend on an independent clause to make a complete thought.
* Subordinate: They are "subordinate" to the independent clause, meaning they are less important in the sentence structure.
Examples:
* "Because I was tired" is a dependent clause. It doesn't make sense on its own.
* "After the rain stopped" is another dependent clause. It needs more information to be complete.
Independent clauses, on the other hand, can stand alone and express a complete thought.
* "I went to bed" is an independent clause.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to explore the different types of dependent clauses!