Clauses

Front

What is a clause?

Back

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can express a complete thought (independent clause) or an incomplete thought (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 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 does not express a complete thought and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Front

Give an example of an independent clause.

Back

"I enjoy reading books." This clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Give an example of a dependent clause.

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"Although I enjoy reading books," This clause cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause to complete its meaning.

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', 'since', 'although', and 'while'.

Front

Identify the independent clause: "Whenever I have a bad day, I call my best friend."

Back

"I call my best friend." is the independent clause.

Front

Identify the dependent clause: "Since we are working so hard, I will bring you hot cocoa someday."

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"Since we are working so hard" is the dependent clause.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What punctuation is often used before a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A comma is often used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when connecting two independent clauses.