Page 683 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

The orchestra began to play. Fireworks appeared in the night
sky.

When the word as is added to the first clause, it becomes a dependent

clause. Now, it cannot stand on its own but must depend on—or

remain attached to—the independent clause.

dependent clause independent clause

As the orchestra began to play, fireworks appeared in the night

sky.

Two Patterns Using the Dependent

Clause

Sentences containing dependent clauses take on various patterns.

Two of those patterns are shown below. In the first pattern, the

dependent clause introduces the sentence and is followed by a

comma. In the second pattern, the dependent clause ends the

sentence.

Pattern 1: Dependent clause as an introductory clause

As dependent clause, independent clause.

When the dependent clause acts as an introductory clause, a comma

follows it.