Independent and Dependent Clauses

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What is an Independent Clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

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What is a Dependent Clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the Independent Clause: 'You should take your car in for a service because it's starting to make weird noises.'

Back

You should take your car in for a service.

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Identify the Dependent Clause: 'Because my tea was too cold, I heated it up in the microwave.'

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Because my tea was too cold.

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What is the difference between Independent and Dependent Clauses?

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Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences, while dependent clauses cannot.

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Example of an Independent Clause:

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She loves fruit desserts like apple pie, peach cobbler, and blueberry crisp.

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Example of a Dependent Clause:

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Unless my dad comes home.

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How can you identify a Dependent Clause?

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Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like 'because,' 'unless,' 'if,' or 'when'.

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What is a Subordinating Conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, indicating a relationship between them.

Front

Identify the clause: 'If you ask me what I think.'

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This is a dependent clause.