Question

Which of the following is a subordinate clause?

Natalie and Denise ate lunch

Alex was late

By the time they arrived

We need to leave

Answer 1

A subordinate clause doesn't form a complete sentence and contains a subject and verb.

So, the subordinate clause is "By the time they arrived."

Answer 2

By the time they arrived

Step-by-step explanation:

A clause is a group of related words with at least a subject and a verb that can be either independent or subordinate. We can identify which type of clause a group of words with those characteristics is because while a subordinate clause does not express a complete thought on its own, an independent clause does express a complete idea on its own and can stand alone as a full sentence.

From all options given, only option C is a subordinate clause because it does not express a complete thought on its own, and in fact, it should be part of a bigger sentence in order to make sense.