Independent and Dependent 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.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Example of an independent clause.

Back

"She enjoys reading books."

Front

Example of a dependent clause.

Back

"Although she enjoys reading books."

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

A comma is often used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate independent clauses.

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses. Examples include: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include: because, although, since, unless.

Front

Identify the clause: "When the rain stops, we will go outside."

Back

"When the rain stops" is a dependent clause.

Front

Identify the clause: "I will finish my homework."

Back

"I will finish my homework" is an independent clause.

Front

What is the role of a dependent clause in a sentence?

Back

A dependent clause provides additional information but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.