Dependent and Independent Clauses

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It has a subject and a verb.

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.

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include because, although, and since.

A simple sentence.

A compound sentence.

A complex sentence.

A complex-compound sentence has at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

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

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