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 has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'I enjoy reading books.'

Back

I enjoy reading books.

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'Because it was raining.'

Back

Because it was raining.

Front

What is the function of an independent clause in a sentence?

Back

An independent clause can function as a complete sentence and can also be part of a larger sentence.

Front

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

Back

A dependent clause adds additional information to a sentence but cannot stand alone.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'She went to the store because she needed milk.'

Back

She went to the store.

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'Although he was tired, he finished his homework.'

Back

Although he was tired.

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

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

Front

Can a sentence have more than one independent clause?

Back

Yes, a sentence can have multiple independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.