Dependent and Independent Clauses

Front

Dependent Clause

(Subordinate Clause)

Back

Definition: A group of words that contains a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a complete though.

Example: "When Mayor Bloomberg implemented laws" (needs an independent clause to complete the thought)

Front

Independent Clause

Back

Definition: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought; can stand alone as a sentence.

Example: "The public is simply ill-informed."

Front

Noun Clause

Back

Definition: A dependent clause that functions as a noun in the sentence (as subject, object, or complement)

Example: "that obesity is an issue" (functions as direct object in "I agree that obesity is an issue")

Front

Relative Clause

(Adjective Clause)

Back

Definition: A dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun

Example: "I respect being given information that enables me to make an informed decision."

Relative pronoun used: "that" which answers "which information?"

Front

Adverbial Clause

Back

Definition: A dependent clause that functions as an adverb, telling when, where, why, or under what condition

Example: "When he insisted on calorie counts being posted" (tells when)

Front

The key to identifying clauses is to:

Back

Look for subject verb pairs.

Determine if the clause can stand on its own.

Notice the connecting words in the sentence.

Front

Subordinating Conjunctions

Back

They start dependent clauses.

Examples: when, if, because, although, unless, since, while, before, after.