Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent and Dependent Clauses

​It's complex...

​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."

• EXAMPLE

  Andrew worked all night, but he was still unable to complete the project.

​independent clause

​independent clause

Multiple Select

Click on the independent clauses.

Independent clauses are complete sentences because they can stand on their own.

• She wants to travel and see wonderful sights.

• Because I can't wait for the bus.

• When the president arrives.

• Waiting for the concert to start is exciting.

Multiple Select

Click on the independent clauses.

• When the dog barks.

• If you can work on Saturdays we will hire you.

• The sun sets at 7:12.

• Our planets revolve around the sun.

Dependent Clauses

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

• Dependent Clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions

​COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:

• ​before, if, since, when, while, although

EXAMPLE:

• While flowers continue to bloom.

• Whenever you come to visit.

• Although the weather is nice.

Multiple Select

Click on the dependent clauses.

• Before the food gets cold, sit at the table.

• Although I never considered it.

• When the clock strikes midnight.

• Since I don't have enough money.

Multiple Select

Click on the dependent clauses.

• As the lights were dimming.

• The wind was howling.

• Because I was scared.

• Creatures stirred in the woods.

Multiple Choice

Independent or Dependent Clause?

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

• Dependent

• Independent

​COMPLEX SENTENCES

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

​

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

​

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

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

​

Fill in the Blank

These clauses cannot stand alone.

Fill in the Blank

Independent clauses are complete ______.

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

Poll

How confident are you in identifying independent and dependent clauses?

• I'm a master and always get them right.

• I am getting better and need a little more practice.

• I'm getting better but I need a lot more practice.

• I'm lost.

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