1. Dependent Clauses:
* What are they? These are clauses that can't stand alone as a complete sentence. They depend on an independent clause to make sense.
* How they work: Dependent clauses often begin with words like *because, although, while, since, when, if, that, who, which, where, whose, whom*.
* Example: "Because she was tired," (dependent clause) "she went to bed early." (independent clause)
2. Embedding:
* The process: You take a dependent clause and place it within an independent clause.
* Why it's useful: It allows you to add more detail, explanation, or contrast to your writing.
* Examples:
* "She went to bed early, because she was tired." (The dependent clause "because she was tired" is embedded within the independent clause "She went to bed early.")
* "The book that I borrowed from the library was really interesting." (The dependent clause "that I borrowed from the library" modifies the noun "book".)
3. Types of Embedded Sentences:
* Adverbial Clauses: These modify verbs or adjectives, answering questions like *when, where, why, how*.
* Adjective Clauses: These modify nouns, giving more information about them.
* Noun Clauses: These function as nouns, acting as the subject or object of a verb.
Examples:
* Adverbial: "While I was waiting for the bus, the rain started."
* Adjective: "The woman who lives next door is a doctor."
* Noun: "What I need is a good night's sleep."
Remember:
* Punctuation: Use commas to separate embedded clauses when they are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
* Clarity: Make sure your embedded sentences are clear and easy to understand.
* Vary your style: Use embedding to add variety and interest to your writing.
By using embedded sentences, you can create more complex and sophisticated writing. It's a powerful tool for conveying your thoughts and ideas in a more nuanced way.