Independent VS Dependent Clauses

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

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Example of an independent clause:

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"I enjoy reading books." This clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

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Example of a dependent clause:

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"Because I enjoy reading books." This clause cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause to complete the thought.

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

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A dependent clause adds additional information to the independent clause but cannot stand alone.

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Identify the clause: "Although it was raining, we went for a walk."

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The independent clause is "we went for a walk," and the dependent clause is "Although it was raining."

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Identify the clause: "If you finish your homework, you can watch TV."

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The independent clause is "you can watch TV," and the dependent clause is "If you finish your homework."

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What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

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

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What is a coordinating conjunction?

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

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What is a subordinating conjunction?

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A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include: because, although, since, unless.