Independent or Dependent Clause practice

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What is an independent clause?

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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.

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What is a dependent clause?

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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.

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Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'If you are struggling, please ask for help.'

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The independent clause is 'please ask for help.'

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Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'Your teachers, after they leave school on Friday, sometimes hang out with each other.'

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The dependent clause is 'after they leave school on Friday.'

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What punctuation typically separates independent clauses in a compound sentence?

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A comma is typically used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate independent clauses.

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Can a dependent clause start a sentence?

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Yes, a dependent clause can start a sentence, but it must be followed by an independent clause to form a complete thought.

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

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'Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.' (Dependent: 'Although it was raining'; Independent: 'we decided to go for a walk.')

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What is the role of subordinating conjunctions in a sentence?

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Subordinating conjunctions (like because, although, since) introduce dependent clauses and show the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause.

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Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'Mrs. Starnes has known Mr. Starnes for 16 years because they went to high school together.'

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The independent clause is 'Mrs. Starnes has known Mr. Starnes for 16 years.'

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Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'Let's learn a little about your teachers; aren't you excited?'

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There is no dependent clause in this sentence; both parts are independent clauses.