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.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include 'because', 'unless', and 'after'.

Front

Give an example of an independent clause.

Back

The dog barked loudly.

Front

Give an example of a dependent clause.

Back

Although it was raining.

Front

What is the purpose of a subordinating conjunction in a sentence?

Back

It shows the relationship between the independent clause and the dependent clause.

Front

Identify the subordinating conjunction: 'I will go to the park if it stops raining.'

Back

if

Front

Identify the independent clause: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

Back

the sky turns orange.

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'Because I was late, I missed the bus.'

Back

Because I was late.

Front

What punctuation is used before a dependent clause when it starts a sentence?

Back

A comma is used before the dependent clause.