Independent and Subordinate Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Front

What is a subordinate clause?

Back

A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Identify the clause: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we went for a walk.' The subordinate clause is 'Although it was raining.'

Front

What is the function of a subordinate clause in a sentence?

Back

A subordinate clause adds additional information to the main clause but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with both an independent and a subordinate clause.

Back

Example: 'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.' (Independent clause: 'I went to bed early'; Subordinate clause: 'Because I was tired.')

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What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is another term for a subordinate clause; it cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause to provide meaning.

Front

Identify the subordinate clause in the sentence: 'She will call you when she arrives.'

Back

The subordinate clause is 'when she arrives.'

Front

What punctuation is typically used to separate an independent clause from a subordinate clause?

Back

A comma is typically used to separate an independent clause from a subordinate clause when the subordinate clause comes first.

Front

Can a subordinate clause be placed at the end of a sentence?

Back

Yes, a subordinate clause can be placed at the end of a sentence, but it does not require a comma before it.

Front

What is the difference between a compound sentence and a complex sentence?

Back

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction, while a complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.