Dependent & Independent Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: 'I enjoy reading.'

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. Example: 'Although I enjoy reading.'

Front

Identify the type of clause: 'If they take me with them.'

Back

Dependent clause.

Front

Identify the type of clause: 'I will have to make dinner.'

Back

Independent clause.

Front

What is a phrase?

Back

A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject-verb pair and does not express a complete thought. Example: 'after the rain.'

Front

Identify the type of clause: 'after they receive permission from the manager.'

Back

Dependent clause.

Front

Which of the following is a dependent clause? 'Although it is snowing.'

Back

Yes, it is a dependent clause.

Front

Which of the following is an independent clause? 'She loves to dance.'

Back

Yes, it is an independent clause.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

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