Independent and Subordinate 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 subordinate clause?

Back

A subordinate 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 clause: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

The clause 'Although it was raining' is a subordinate clause.

Front

Identify the clause: 'She loves to read books.'

Back

The clause 'She loves to read books' is an independent clause.

Front

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

Back

A subordinate clause adds additional information to the main clause but cannot stand alone.

Front

True or False: An independent clause can function as a complete sentence.

Back

True.

Front

True or False: A subordinate clause can function as a complete sentence.

Back

False.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is another term for a subordinate clause; it cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with both an independent and a subordinate clause.

Back

Example: 'I will go to the store if it stops raining.' (Independent: 'I will go to the store'; Subordinate: 'if it stops raining').

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate an independent clause from a subordinate clause?

Back

A comma is often used to separate an independent clause from a subordinate clause when the subordinate clause comes first.