Clauses

Front

What is a clause?

Back

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can be independent (can stand alone) or dependent (cannot stand alone).

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

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

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

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

Front

Example of an independent clause.

Back

I enjoy reading books.

Front

Example of a dependent clause.

Back

Although I enjoy reading books.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

Identify the independent clause: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

Back

The sky turns orange.

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'Because it was raining, we stayed inside.'

Back

Because it was raining.

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

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

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction.