Independent and Dependent Clauses and Phrases

Read the following sentence carefully and identify the part in red as a phrase, independent clause, or subordinate/dependent clause.
The dog chased the mailman even though he had dog treats. 

• Phrase

• Independent Clause

• Dependent/Subordinate Clause

Independent clauses express a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

• True

• False

Dependent/Subordinate clauses do not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. If you read it, you will find that you need more information (so what? who cares?).
Dependent/Subordinate clauses will begin with an ON A WHITE BUS word.

• True

• False

Read the following group of words and identify it as a phrase, independent clause, or dependent/subordinate clause.

After the concert

• Phrase

• Independent Clause

• Dependent/Subordinate Clause

A good rule of thumb to see if you have a clause is to check for a subject AND a verb. Then you can decide if it independent or subordinate/dependent from there.

• True

• False

Read the following group of words and identify it as a phrase, independent clause, or dependent/subordinate clause.

Before class ends

• Phrase

• Independent Clause

• Dependent/Subordinate Clause

Read the following group of words and identify it as a phrase, independent clause, or dependent/subordinate clause.

Following the field trip 

• Phrase

• Independent Clause

• Dependent/Subordinate Clause

Read the following group of words and identify it as a phrase, independent clause, or dependent/subordinate clause.

Because it rained yesterday

• Phrase

• Independent Clause

• Dependent/Subordinate Clause

Read the following sentence carefully and identify the part in red as a phrase, independent clause, or subordinate/dependent clause.
Although math makes me nervous, I did well on my test.

• Phrase

• Independent Clause

• Dependent/Subordinate Clause

Read the following sentence and identify the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE only.
John runs while Jim skates in the park.

• While Jim skates.

• John runs.

• In the park.