What Is a Clause: Independent and Dependent Clauses

What Is a Clause: Independent and Dependent Clauses

by Nedra Holmes-Goodloe

Multiple Choice

Identify the complete subject in the following sentence.

Mae and Anna went to the store to buy flowers.

• Mae

• Mae and Anna

• went

• went to the store to buy flowers

Multiple Choice

Identify the complete predicate in the following sentence.

Mae and Anna went to the store to buy flowers.

• Mae

• Mae and Anna

• went

• went to the store to buy flowers

Subject and Predicate

​YOUR TURN: Find this section in your notes. Then underline the subject & highlight the predicate.

​

1. Mae and Anna went to the store to buy flowers.

2. He won, but he forgot to claim the prize!

3. Amanda and Luke play soccer and golf.

Independent Clauses

​YOUR TURN: Find this section in your notes. Underline the subject & highlight the predicate.

​

1. She rode her bike to town.

2. The teacher graded the tests.

3. Three ducks swam in a pond and splashed.

4. Enrique and Emily studied in the library.

Dependent Clauses

​YOUR TURN: Find this section in your notes. Underline the subject & highlight the predicate.

​

1. Although he prefers to cook Italian food…

2. Before she did all of her homework…

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

When Amber Lynn Coffman was only nine years old, she wrote a book report about a biography of Mother Teresa.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

The book inspired her to volunteer at a shelter for the homeless when she was ten years old.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

Because Amber wanted to do more, she started an organization.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

Amber and 14 other student volunteers prepared 600 bag lunches each week.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

They did this so that homeless people in their town of Glen Burnie, Maryland, could have a good meal.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

While Amber prepared lunches each week, she thought about doing something special for the holiday season.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

She organized a huge gift drive, which was very successful.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

People donated small, useful gifts that were wrapped by volunteers.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

Amber’s work inspired other students around the country because they saw the power of one student to help others.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify each underlined group of words as an independent or a dependent clause.

Now Amber’s organization exists in aout 30 states, and her efforts have been recognized nationally.

• indenpendent clause

• dependent clause