Question

What type of clause is this? (Whenever it rains,) the creek floods?

Answer 1

The clause 'Whenever it rains' is a dependent clause that relies on the main clause 'the creek floods' to provide a complete thought, indicating a conditional time relationship between the two actions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clause in the question, Whenever it rains, is a dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause. This type of clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

It is called a dependent clause because it depends on the main clause, the creek floods, to provide a complete thought.

The word 'whenever' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces the clause and indicates a time relationship with the main clause.

This type of clause provides additional information about when the main action happens.

Using our reference content as examples, dependent clauses serve to set the stage for the main action, explaining conditions, times, or reasons.

In the examples provided, clauses introduced by conjunctions such as 'whenever' and 'when' are essential for enhancing the understanding of the circumstance discussed in the main clause.

Answer 2

The clause 'Whenever it rains' is an adverbial clause that provides information about the timing of when the creek floods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clause 'Whenever it rains' is an example of an adverbial clause. This type of clause is dependent, meaning that it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Instead, it gives additional information about circumstances or conditions, in this case indicating the time when the creek floods.

In the complete sentence, 'Whenever it rains, the creek floods', the adverbial clause 'Whenever it rains' modifies the main or independent clause 'the creek floods' by specifying when the action takes place.