Dependent and Independent Clause

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What is an independent clause?

Back

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

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What is a dependent clause?

Back

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

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Example of an independent clause.

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"I enjoy reading books." This is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought.

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Example of a dependent clause.

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"Although I enjoy reading books." This is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought.

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

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A dependent clause adds additional information to the independent clause but cannot stand alone.

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Identify the independent clause: "When I finish my homework, I will watch TV."

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"I will watch TV." This is the independent clause because it can stand alone.

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Identify the dependent clause: "Because it was raining, we stayed indoors."

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"Because it was raining" is the dependent clause as it cannot stand alone.

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What punctuation is often used before a dependent clause?

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A comma is often used before a dependent clause when it starts a sentence.

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What is a complex sentence?

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A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

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Example of a complex sentence.

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"Although it was cold, we went for a walk." This sentence has one independent clause and one dependent clause.