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 in the sentence: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we went for a walk.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'If you finish your homework, you can go out.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'If you finish your homework.'

Front

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

Back

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

Front

True or False: 'Because I was tired' is an independent clause.

Back

False. 'Because I was tired' is a dependent clause.

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

Example: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.' (Dependent: 'When the sun sets'; Independent: 'the sky turns orange.')

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, such as 'because,' 'although,' or 'if.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'She will go to the party if she finishes her work.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'if she finishes her work.'