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 complete sentence. It has 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 complete sentence. It begins with a subordinating conjunction and does not express a complete thought.

Front

Give an example of an independent clause.

Back

"I love to read books." This is an independent clause because it can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Give an example of a dependent clause.

Back

"Because I was tired" is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include 'because', 'although', 'since', and 'when'.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we went for a walk.' It can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'When the sun sets.' It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

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

Back

A dependent clause adds additional information to the independent clause, providing context or detail.

Front

Can a sentence have more than one independent clause?

Back

Yes, a sentence can have multiple independent clauses, often joined by coordinating conjunctions like 'and', 'but', or 'or'.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.