Remember that a dependent clause always contains a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand by itself. 1  Adverb clauses provide information about what is going on in the main (independent) clause: where, when, or why. 2  Adjective clauses work like multi-word adjectives. 3  Noun clauses can do anything that nouns can do.
An alternate juror is a spare, not unlike the spare tire for your car that rides along with you wherever you drive but is only used if one of your regular tires fails. Similarly, an alternate juror sits and listens to evidence just like the other jurors but only deliberates and votes if one of the sitting jury members is unable to serve.
If a trial is expected to last more than one day, alternate jurors may be selected in case a juror must be excused during the trial. Unlike the petit jury, a grand jury hears evidence about alleged crimes (usually felonies), and only decides whether or not a person should be indicted and tried for committing a crime.