Clauses: Dependent or Independent?

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

Back

The independent clause is 'we went for a walk.' The dependent clause is 'Although it was raining.'

Front

Identify the clause: 'Because she studied hard, she passed the test.'

Back

The independent clause is 'she passed the test.' The dependent clause is 'Because she studied hard.'

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 clause: 'He enjoys reading books.'

Back

This is an independent clause.

Front

Identify the clause: 'When the sun sets,'

Back

This is a dependent clause.

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 clause: 'If it snows tomorrow,'

Back

This is a dependent clause.

Front

Identify the clause: 'She will go to the store.'

Back

This is an independent clause.