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 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 complete sentence. It contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'The dog barked loudly.'

Back

The dog barked loudly.

Front

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

Back

Although it was raining.

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

What punctuation is often used before a dependent clause when it starts a sentence?

Back

A comma is often used before a dependent clause when it starts a sentence.

Front

Example of a sentence with both an independent and a dependent clause:

Back

'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.' (Dependent: 'Because I was tired'; Independent: 'I went to bed early.')

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses. Examples include 'and', 'but', and 'or'.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

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

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'She enjoys reading, and he enjoys writing.'

Back

She enjoys reading, and he enjoys writing.