Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent and Dependent Clauses

​It's complex...

Dependent Clauses

• ​A DEPENDENT CLAUSE HAS A SUBJECT AND A VERB, BUT CANNOT STAND ALONE AS A COMPLETE SENTENCE.

• ​IT IS INTRODUCED BY A CONJUNCTION (CALLED A SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION)

• ​COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:

  • ​before, if, since, when, although

• ​A COMPLEX SENTENCE CONTAINS AN INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

​INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

• ​AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE IS ANOTHER NAME FOR A COMPLETE SENTENCE. IT CAN STAND ALONE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT "DEPEND" ON ANYTHING ELSE TO COMPLETE IT OR "MAKE SENSE."

• ​An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.

​COMPLEX SENTENCES

​In a complex sentence, if the Dependent Clause comes first, follow it with a comma.

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​Ex: Before they reached America, Lucinda's relatives were in a makeshift boat.

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​If the Independent Clause comes first, no comma is needed.

​Ex: Lucinda's relatives were in a makeshift boat before they reached America.

​

"Before they reached America" has a subject (they) and a verb (reached) but it is dependent, and an incomplete sentence because of the word "Before." Before is the subordinating conjunction.

Multiple Choice

Independent or Dependent Clause?

Before the U.S. Coast Guard cutter towed them.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

Independent or Dependent Clause?

The perilous journey lasted two days.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

Dependent or Independent Clause?

Lucinda's family moved to West New York, New Jersey.

• Independent

• Dependent

Multiple Choice

Dependent or Independent Clause?

Whenever she heard a Spanish song.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

Dependent or Independent Clause?

If the dog has not been found.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

Dependent or Independent Clause?

Since she lived in an apartment building.

• Dependent

• Independent

Multiple Choice

What is the underlined part of the sentence?

When you move, it can be hard to make friends.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

What is the Underlined Part of the sentence?

The task is harder still if you speak a different language.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

What is the Underlined Part of the sentence?

Before the first day of school arrived, I worried.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

What is the Underlined Part of the sentence?

The new home would not feel like home until I made friends.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

What is the Underlined Part of the sentence?

Although I have many friends now, once I had none.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

What is the Underlined Part of the sentence?

I found a good friend after I joined the band.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause