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

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'She enjoys reading because it is fun.'

Back

The independent clause is 'She enjoys reading.'

Front

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

Back

The dependent clause is 'Although it was raining.'

Front

What is the function of an independent clause in a sentence?

Back

An independent clause serves as the main part of a sentence, providing the primary action or idea.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

Example of a sentence with both an independent and a dependent clause:

Back

'I will go to the park if it stops raining.' (Independent: 'I will go to the park'; Dependent: 'if it stops raining').

Front

Which of the following is NOT an independent clause? 'When I finish my homework'

Back

'When I finish my homework' is a dependent clause.

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

A comma is often used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate independent clauses.

Front

Can a sentence have more than one independent clause?

Back

Yes, a sentence can have multiple independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.