Independent vs. Dependent Clauses - Practice

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

Example of an independent clause: 'Mario and Luigi were plumbers.'

Back

This is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.

Front

Example of a dependent clause: 'Since Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach.'

Back

This is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

Front

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

Back

A dependent clause adds additional information to an independent clause but cannot stand alone.

Front

Identify the clause: 'If Toad hadn't shown Mario the way.'

Back

This is a dependent clause.

Front

Identify the clause: 'Petey Piranha smashed his tennis racket on the court.'

Back

This is an independent 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

What are subordinating conjunctions?

Back

Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause (e.g., because, since, although, if).

Front

Can a sentence have more than one independent clause?

Back

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