Independent and Dependent Clause

Front

What is an Independent Clause?

Back

An Independent Clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has 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 has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Example of an Independent Clause: 'I was watching my brother play video games.'

Back

This is an Independent Clause because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

Example of a Dependent Clause: 'Because I studied hard for my test.'

Back

This is a Dependent Clause because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

What is the function of a Dependent Clause in a sentence?

Back

A Dependent Clause adds information to an Independent Clause but cannot stand alone.

Front

Identify the clause: 'When my mother arrives.'

Back

This is a Dependent Clause because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the clause: 'We went to the park.'

Back

This is an Independent Clause because it expresses a complete thought.

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,' 'when,' or 'while.'

Front

Example of a sentence with both clauses: 'When we get enough snow, we're going to go sledding.'

Back

This sentence has a Dependent Clause ('When we get enough snow') and an Independent Clause ('we're going to go sledding').

Front

Identify the clause: 'While I was playing soccer.'

Back

This is a Dependent Clause because it does not express a complete thought.