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: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

We went for a walk.

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.'

Back

Because I was tired.

Front

What is a phrase?

Back

A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject-verb pair and does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the phrase in the sentence: 'She ran to the store.'

Back

To the store.

Front

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

Back

A dependent clause adds additional information to the independent clause but cannot stand alone.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'If you study hard, you will pass the test.'

Back

You will pass the test.

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

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

Back

When the sun sets.