Independent clauses contain a subject and a verb and express a full idea. They are a complete sentence.
- I walked to the park.
Dependent clauses contain a subject and a verb, but do not express a full idea. They need an independent clause to be a complete sentence.
- *When I was walking in the park.
Dependent clauses may contain either a subordinating conjunction or a relative clause.
- When I was walking in the park, I saw the cutest dog.
- Gainesville, which is the city where we met, is beautiful in fall.
