Subordinating Conjunctions and Independent and Dependent Clauses

An independent clause:

• has a subject and a verb but no complete thought

• has a subject and a verb and a complete thought

• can't be a sentence on its own

• makes a sentence complex

A dependent clause:

• has a subject and a verb but no complete thought

• has a subject and a verb and a complete though

• can be a sentence on its own

• makes a sentence compound

While the band was playing

• This is an independent clause.

• This is a dependent clause.

Because she studied diligently

• This is an independent clause.

• This is a dependent clause.

She studied diligently

• This is an independent clause.

• This is a dependent clause.

I eat my lunch in the shade.

• This is an independent clause.
• This is a dependent clause.

A complex sentence is:

• two independent clauses
• one independent clause alone
• an independent clause and a dependent clause
• two dependent clauses

I was able to get my work checked since the bus was early today.
The subordinate conjunction of this sentence is:

• was
• able
• since
• today

As she looked out the window, a bird swooped down from the tree.
The subordinate conjunction of this sentence is:

• as
• out
• down
• from

Once we practice this many times, it will be much easier to do.
The dependent clause is:

• once we practice this
• once we practice this many times
• it will be much easier
• it will be much easier to do