Independent and Dependent Clauses

What is a clause?

• A sentence fragment

• Punctuation in a sentence

• A sentence that has a subject and a verb

• A subordinating conjunction

What is an independent clause?

• A group of words that cannot stand alone.

• A group of words that has a subject, verb and expresses a complete thought.

• A phrase that acts as a subject or object.

• A clause

What is a dependent clause?

• A group of words that has a subject, a verb and expresses a complete thought.

• A group of words that does not have a subject.

• A group of words that has a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

• A sentence.

What are subordinating conjunctions?

• Words that connect two independent clauses.

• Words that connect two dependent clauses.

• Words that connect a subject to a verb.

• Words that connect an independent clause to a dependent clause.

Identify the dependent clause in this sentence:

Because it was raining, we stayed inside.

• We stayed inside

• Because it was raining

• Inside

• None of the above

Which sentence has an independent clause and a dependent clause?

• I went to the store because I needed milk.

• She sang beautifully and danced gracefully.

• He reads every day.

• The teacher explained the lesson.

Which of the following is NOT a dependent clause?

• While the rain poured

• She danced all night

• Because the game was exciting

• When the class ended

Identify the independent clause in this sentence:

Although he was tired, he stayed up late.

• Although he was tired

• He stayed up late

Write a sentence that includes both an independent clause and a dependent clause. Identify each.

What happens when a dependent clause is left by itself in writing, not connected to an independent clause?

• It is a fragment

• It is a complete sentence