Varying Sentence Structure

Front

Dependent Clause: Cannot stand alone; needs an independent clause to be complete.

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone and is not a complete sentence. It must be attached to an independent clause to become complete.

Front

Independent (Main) Clause: Can stand alone as a sentence; contains a subject, verb, and complete idea.

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and is a complete idea.

Front

Compound sentence:

Back

Contains at least two independent clauses, combined with a comma/conjunction.

Front

Complex sentence:

Back

Contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause.

Front

When the temperature drops below freezing.

Back

Dependent Clause

Front

The class went on a trip to the museum.

Back

Independent Clause

Front

Weight increased this year.

Back

Dependent Clause

Front

My parents came home early from their trip.

Back

Independent Clause

Front

Dependent clause is a complete sentence and can stand alone.

Back

False

Front

An independent clause doesn't need a dependent clause to be complete.

Back

False