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 sentence. It contains 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 sentence. It contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Identify the independent clause: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we went for a walk.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'Because I was tired.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'Because I was tired.'

Front

True or False: 'He enjoys reading books' is an independent clause.

Back

True

Front

True or False: 'When the sun sets' is an independent clause.

Back

False

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

Provide an example of a dependent clause.

Back

'If it rains tomorrow' is an example of a dependent clause.

Front

Provide an example of an independent clause.

Back

'She loves to dance' is an example of an independent clause.

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

A comma is often used before a coordinating conjunction to separate independent clauses.