Independent and Subordinate 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 subordinate clause?

Back

A subordinate 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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Identify the subordinate clause in the sentence: 'The dog barked because it saw a stranger.'

Back

The subordinate clause is 'because it saw a stranger.'

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

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

Back

A subordinate clause adds additional information to the main clause but cannot stand alone.

Front

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

Back

Example: 'I will go to the store if I have time.' (Independent: 'I will go to the store'; Subordinate: 'if I have time.')

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

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

Front

Identify the subordinate clause in the sentence: 'She will succeed if she works hard.'

Back

The subordinate clause is 'if she works hard.'

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses. Examples include 'and', 'but', 'or', 'nor', 'for', 'so', and 'yet'.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

Back

The independent clause is 'the sky turns orange.'