Explanation
A dependent clause is a part of a sentence. It cannot stand alone. It needs a main clause to make a full sentence.
For example, in "Because I was tired, I went to bed early," "Because I was tired" gives the reason, but it is not complete by itself. "I went to bed early" is the main clause, so it can stand alone. In Japanese, you can often keep the reason in one clause, but English needs the full sentence shape.
従属節は、文の一部です。これだけでは文として完結しません。主節があって、はじめて完全な文になります。
たとえば "Because I was tired, I went to bed early." では、"Because I was tired" が理由を表す従属節ですが、単独では不完全です。"I went to bed early" が主節で、これだけでも文になります。日本語では一つの節で理由を言いやすいですが、英語では主節と従属節の形をはっきり作ります。
Examples
- Because I was tired, I went to bed early. 疲れていたので、早く寝ました。
- We stayed inside when it started to rain. 雨が降り始めたとき、私たちは家の中にいました。
- If you are free tomorrow, let's meet for coffee. もし明日ひまなら、コーヒーでも飲みましょう。
- She smiled although she was nervous. 彼女は緊張していたけれど、笑顔でした。
- Can you tell me where the station is? 駅がどこか教えてくれますか？
- I don't know if he is coming. 彼が来るかどうかわかりません。
Common Mistakes
Japanese learners often use a dependent clause as a full sentence.
Wrong: "Because I was tired."
Right: "Because I was tired, I went home early."
Also, do not add "so" after "because."
Wrong: "Because I was tired, so I went home early."
Right: "Because I was tired, I went home early."
日本語学習者は、従属節だけを1文として終えてしまいがちです。
誤り: "Because I was tired."
正しい形: "Because I was tired, I went home early."
また、because のあとに so を重ねるのもよくある誤りです。
誤り: "Because I was tired, so I went home early."
正しい形: "Because I was tired, I went home early."