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

Give an example of an independent clause.

Back

"The dog is playing catch."

Front

Give an example of a dependent clause.

Back

"Unless we get rain soon."

Front

What punctuation is used before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?

Back

A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: "I will go to the store if I have time."

Back

"I will go to the store."

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 a simple sentence?

Back

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

Front

Which of the following is a compound sentence? "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain."

Back

This sentence is a compound sentence because it has two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a complex sentence?

Back

A comma is often used to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause, especially when the dependent clause comes first.