Independent and Dependent Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Identify the type of clause: 'David was a skunk for Halloween.'

Back

Independent Clause

Front

Identify the type of clause: 'Since the weather is so hot and dry in the desert.'

Back

Dependent Clause

Front

Identify the type of clause: 'Jay wants to have kids before he turns 30.'

Back

Independent Clause

Front

What is a key characteristic of an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is a key characteristic of a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone and relies on an independent clause to form a complete thought.

Front

Which of the following is an independent clause: 'When Ronnie gets here' or 'He turned the music down'?

Back

He turned the music down.

Front

What is an example of a dependent clause?

Back

'If Denise comes to class late' is a dependent clause.

Front

What punctuation is often used to separate independent clauses?

Back

A comma is often used before a coordinating conjunction to separate independent clauses.