Which of the following describes a dependent clause?

A dependent clause is best described as a clause that contains a subject and a verb but is unable to stand alone as a complete thought; it relies on an independent clause to provide it with meaning. This is essential for understanding how different types of clauses function within sentences. For example, in the sentence "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk," the phrase "Although it was raining" is a dependent clause that doesn't express a complete idea on its own.

In contrast to the choices that do not accurately define a dependent clause, the first choice refers to an independent clause, which can stand alone as a complete thought. The third choice describes a simple sentence rather than pinpointing the characteristics of a dependent clause, and the fourth option mentions only a subject, which misses the vital component of having both a subject and a verb, an essential characteristic of a dependent clause. Thus, the selection that correctly identifies a dependent clause is the one that recognizes its inability to stand alone.