Independent and Dependent Clauses

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What is an Independent Clause?

Back

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

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What is a Dependent Clause?

Back

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

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Example of an Independent Clause:

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"She loves having the opportunity to go to a game." This clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

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Example of a Dependent Clause:

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"Unless I receive an RSVP from you by October 21st." This clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

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What is a subordinating conjunction?

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A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, such as 'because', 'although', 'while', and 'unless'.

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Identify the clause: "While you were playing piano yesterday"

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This is a Dependent Clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

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Identify the clause: "She went to the store."

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This is an Independent Clause because it expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.

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What is the purpose of a dependent clause?

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

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Identify the clause: "Because he was late to school so often"

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This is a Dependent Clause.

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Identify the clause: "Whichever student picked up the trash"

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This is a Dependent Clause.