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. Example: 'She enjoys reading.'

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. Example: 'Although she enjoys reading.'

Front

What are subordinating conjunctions?

Back

Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect an independent clause with a subordinate clause. Examples include 'although,' 'because,' 'since,' and 'unless.'

Front

What are relative pronouns?

Back

Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses and relate to a noun mentioned previously. Examples include 'who,' 'whom,' 'whose,' 'which,' and 'that.'

Front

Identify the clause: 'If it rains tomorrow.'

Back

Subordinate clause.

Front

Identify the clause: 'I will go to the park.'

Back

Independent clause.

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

What is the difference between a restrictive and non-restrictive clause?

Back

A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of a sentence (no commas), while a non-restrictive clause adds extra information and is set off by commas.

Front

Example of a sentence with both an independent and a subordinate clause.

Back

'Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.'

Front

What punctuation is used to separate independent clauses?

Back

A semicolon or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).