Dependent and Independent 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 has a subject and a verb but starts 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, although, and since.

Front

What type of sentence contains only one independent clause?

Back

A simple sentence.

Front

What type of sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A compound sentence.

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Front

What is a compound-complex sentence?

Back

A compound-complex sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Front

Give an example of a complex sentence.

Back

Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

Front

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

Back

A dependent clause adds extra information to the sentence but cannot stand alone.

Front

What is the difference between a simple sentence and a complex sentence?

Back

A simple sentence has one independent clause, while a complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.