Clauses and Sentence Types

Clause and Sentence Types

Open Ended

Your first and last name

Groups of words that have a subject and a predicate are called clauses.

• Independent clauses could be sentences by themselves.

• Dependent (or subordinate) clauses are not complete sentences on their own.

Multiple Choice

Is this a clause?

Living, loving, and learning.

• Yes, it is a clause.

• No, it is not a clause.

• Huh?

Multiple Choice

Is this a clause?

Living, loving, and learning are participles.

• Yes, it is a clause.

• No, it is not a clause.

• Huh?

Multiple Choice

Is this a clause?

He, having loved many people in his lifetime.

• Yes, it is a clause.

• No, it is not a clause.

• Huh?

Multiple Choice

How many clauses are in this sentence:

He, having loved many people in his lifetime, often confused peoples names in his later years.

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How many clauses are in this sentence:

She left him because he lied.

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Independent clauses can be sentences by themselves.
Dependent (or subordinate) clauses cannot be sentences by them selves.

Is this clause Independent or subordinate?

For each of the following clauses, determine whether it is independent or subordinate, and select the appropriate answer.

Multiple Choice

Because I wanted to ride my bike in the rain.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Multiple Choice

She lied.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Multiple Choice

In case you were wondering.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Multiple Choice

Even if I tell you.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Multiple Choice

Once I learned better.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Multiple Choice

A man lived in the woods far away from anyone else.

• Independent

• Subordinate

Combining different types of clauses allows us to make different types of sentences.

Simple sentences only have one clause. It is an independent clause.

Examples of Simple Sentences

• He ran to the door.

• He_(subject) ran_(verb) to the door.

• She stood by and watched the television.

• She_(subject) stood by and watched_{(compound verb)} the television.

• Neither she nor he understood this tragedy's long lasting effects on their lives.

• Neither she nor he_{(compound subject)} understood_(verb) this tragedy's long lasting effects on their lives.

Label the following sentences as either "Simple" or "Not Simple."

Multiple Choice

Jack and Jill went up the hill.

• Simple

• Not Simple

Multiple Choice

Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after.

• Simple

• Not Simple

Multiple Choice

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are interrupting each other and the moderator.

• Simple

• Not Simple

Multiple Choice

While I listened, I developed a headache.

• Simple

• Not Simple

Multiple Choice

I've made a plan for voting day.

• Simple

• Not Simple

Compound sentences have two independent clauses and a FANBOYS conjunction.

FANBOYS conjunctions are sometimes called coordinating conjunctions.

Examples of Compound Sentences

• I love to listen to a rainstorm, but I hate being stuck in one.

• I_(subject) love_(verb) to listen to a rainstorm, but_{(conjunction)} I_(subject) hate_(verb) being stuck in one.

• Joni and I travelled around town and listened to music, but we did not do any shopping.

• Joni and I_{(compound subject)} travelled around town and listened to music_{(compound predicate)}, but_{(conjunction)} we_(subject) did not do_(verb) any shopping.

For the following sentences, select whether each sentence is simple or compound.

Multiple Choice

Molly went to the University of Miami, and Jill went there too.

• Simple

• Compound

Multiple Choice

Molly and Jill both went to the University of Miami.

• Simple

• Compound

Multiple Choice

Tom and Martha went to the protest and then bought milkshakes on the way home, along with soup for their family.

• Simple

• Compound

Multiple Choice

Jaylen and Dot walk their dogs in the same park, but their dogs hate each other.

• Simple

• Compound

Multiple Choice

Jaylen's dog, Fido, and Dot's dog, Fred, both love to play and socialize in the park.

• Simple

• Compound

Multiple Choice

Jaylen takes his dog at noon, Dot takes hers at five.

• Simple

• Compound

• Run-on

Multiple Choice

Jaylen takes his at noon, and Dot takes hers at five.

• Simple

• Compound