Independent/Dependent Clauses & Simple/Compound Sentences

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

• Helen ate spaghetti for dinner.

• Warren ate salad, but Helen ate spaghetti.

• After a long walk around the block.

• Into the unknown.

Answer explanation

This sentence contains a subject, a verb, and expresses one complete thought.

Tags

L.7.1b

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• Helen ate spaghetti for dinner.

• Warren ate salad, but Helen ate spaghetti.

• After a long walk around the block.

• Into the unknown.

Answer explanation

This sentences contains two complete thoughts. Two independent clauses (simple sentences) joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction = compound sentence.

Tags

L.7.1b

Which of the following is an independent clause? (multiple answers are correct)

• Although it is raining outside.

• When he failed the test.

• I went to the store to buy tomatoes.

• Making spaghetti and meatballs is fun!

Answer explanation

Independent clauses contain subjects and verbs, express complete thoughts, and can stand by themselves as sentences.

Tags

L.7.1a

Which of the following is a dependent clause?

• After the rain stopped

• Jumping over the fence

• If students complete their homework

• I went to the store to buy tomatoes

Answer explanation

Dependent clauses contain subjects and verbs, but they cannot stand alone as complete sentences; they need at least one independent clause to form a complete sentences.

Tags

L.7.1b

Identify the simple subject in the following sentence:

The large, hairy dog splashed in the mud, needing a bath.

• dog

• hairy

• bath

• splashed

Answer explanation

The simple subject is (a) what the sentence is about or (b) who or what performs the action or is described.

Tags

L.7.1b

Identify the verb in the following sentence:

The large, hairy dog splashed in the mud, needing a bath.

• large

• splashed

• dog

• bath

Answer explanation

Verbs express action or a state of being.

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

• The swimmers dove off the blocks at the sound of the whistle.

• The swimmers dove off the blocks, but they were called back due to a false start.

• When the swimmers dove off the blocks.

• The cold water.

Answer explanation

This sentence contains a subject, a verb, and expresses one complete thought.

Tags

L.7.1b

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• The swimmers dove off the blocks, but they were called back due to a false start.

• The swimmers dove off the blocks at the sound of the whistle.

• When the swimmers dove off the blocks.

• At the sound of the whistle.

Answer explanation

This sentences contains two complete thoughts. Two independent clauses (simple sentences) joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction = compound sentence.

Tags

L.7.1b

Which of the following is an independent clause?

• Because every sentence must contain a subject and verb

• Without a subject or verb

• Every sentence must contain a subject and verb

• Identifying clauses

Answer explanation

Independent clauses contain subjects and verbs, express complete thoughts, and can stand by themselves as sentences.

Tags

L.7.1a

Which of the following is a dependent clause?

• because I was tired

• I went to the store

• The cat sat on the mat

• She sings beautifully

Answer explanation

Dependent clauses contain subjects and verbs, but they cannot stand alone as complete sentences; they need at least one independent clause to form a complete sentences.

Tags

L.7.1a