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

Back

We went for a walk.

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

Back

When the sun sets.

Front

Which clause is this: 'Because I was tired'?

Back

Dependent clause.

Front

Which clause is this: 'I enjoy reading books'?

Back

Independent clause.

Front

What is a key characteristic of a dependent clause?

Back

It often begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if) and cannot stand alone.

Front

What is a key characteristic of an independent clause?

Back

It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Example of a sentence with both an independent and a dependent clause: 'I will go to the party if I finish my homework.'

Back

Independent clause: 'I will go to the party'; Dependent clause: 'if I finish my homework.'

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

A comma is often used before a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) to separate independent clauses.