Independent and Dependent Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

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

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

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

Front

Identify the following: 'Because I like french fries.'

Back

Dependent clause.

Front

Identify the following: 'Are you going to watch the game?'

Back

Independent clause.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

Provide an example of an independent clause.

Back

'The sun is shining.'

Front

Provide an example of a dependent clause.

Back

'Although it was raining.'

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.

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

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

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.