Independent and Dependent Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Identify the clause: 'When Mom got back.'

Back

Dependent clause.

Front

Identify the clause: 'I told her about the visitors.'

Back

Independent clause.

Front

What does a dependent clause often start with?

Back

A dependent clause often starts with a subordinating conjunction like 'when,' 'because,' or 'although.'

Front

What does an independent clause need to be a complete sentence?

Back

An independent clause needs a subject and a predicate to be a complete sentence.

Front

Example of a dependent clause: 'While she went to get lunch.'

Back

This clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Example of an independent clause: 'I checked out the rest of the fair.'

Back

This clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.

Front

Can a sentence have both independent and dependent clauses?

Back

Yes, a sentence can have both types of clauses, forming complex sentences.