Clauses

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What is a clause?

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A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can express a complete thought (independent clause) or an incomplete thought (dependent clause).

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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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How does an independent clause begin?

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An independent clause begins with a subject.

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How does a dependent clause often begin?

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A dependent clause often begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because, when).

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Example of an independent clause: 'She enjoys reading.' What makes it independent?

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It has a subject ('She') and a verb ('enjoys') and expresses a complete thought.

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Example of a dependent clause: 'Although she enjoys reading.' What makes it dependent?

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It has a subject ('she') and a verb ('enjoys') but does not express a complete thought.

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What is a subordinating conjunction?

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A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause (e.g., although, because, since).

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Identify the clause type: 'When it rains, we stay inside.'

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The clause 'When it rains' is a dependent clause.

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Identify the clause type: 'We stay inside.'

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The clause 'We stay inside' is an independent clause.