Independent and Dependent Clauses

Front

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.

Front

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.

Front

Identify the independent clause: 'Although it was late, she decided to go for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'she decided to go for a walk.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'Because I was tired.'

Front

True or False: 'He enjoys reading books' is an independent clause.

Back

True

Front

True or False: 'When the sun sets' is an independent clause.

Back

False

Front

Which of the following is an independent clause? 'If it rains tomorrow' or 'We will cancel the picnic.'

Back

'We will cancel the picnic.' is the independent clause.

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

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

Front

Complete the sentence: 'Even though she was tired, she finished her homework.' The independent clause is...

Back

'she finished her homework.'

Front

What is the role of a subordinating conjunction in a sentence?

Back

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and connects it to an independent clause.