Independent & Dependent Clauses

Front

What is an Independent Clause?

Back

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

Front

What is a Dependent Clause?

Back

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

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Example of an Independent Clause.

Back

"The dog barked loudly." This is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

Example of a Dependent Clause.

Back

"Although it was raining." This is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

Do dependent clauses have a subject and a verb?

Back

True. Dependent clauses have both a subject and a verb.

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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 'when'.

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Identify the clause: "After Amy sneezed all over the chicken salad."

Back

Dependent Clause.

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Identify the clause: "Adam smashed the spider."

Back

Independent Clause.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

Identify the clause: "Who ate handfuls of bran flakes with his bare hands."

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Dependent Clause.