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which is the dependent clause in the following sentence and why?

Travelling long distances by train can be rather therapeutic

Tutor says that "travelling long distances by train" is the dependent clause, but why isn't "can be rather therapeutic" the dependent clause?

1 Answer

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  • 1 decade ago
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    The dependent clause is the part which can not be a complete sentence since it does not form a thought if removed from the original sentence. For example, lets split the sentence:

    "Traveling long distances by train."

    "Can be rather therapeutic."

    If you read the first part you will notice it is incomplete since you have a present participle verb, adjective and noun but no other verb. If you are left wondering the rest of the sentence then it is dependent.

    The second part has the verb "[can] be" which are the auxiliary verb and main verb respectively and therefore forms a complete thought.

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