Independent and Dependent Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and 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 sentence. It contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the independent clause: 'Although it was late, we decided to go for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we decided to go for a walk.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'If you finish your homework.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'If you finish your homework.'

Front

True or False: 'Because I was tired' is an independent clause.

Back

False. It is a dependent clause.

Front

True or False: 'The sun sets in the west' is an independent clause.

Back

True. It is an independent clause.

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

Provide an example of a dependent clause.

Back

An example of a dependent clause is 'when the rain stops.'

Front

Provide an example of an independent clause.

Back

An example of an independent clause is 'I will go to the store.'

Front

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

Back

A comma is often used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause.