G3 What is a Clause?

What is a clause?

What Is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb. There are two kinds of clauses: independent and dependent.

Independent Clause

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. An independent clause is also called a main clause. It must have a subject and verb/predicate.

Dropdown

The gardener calculated the total area.

Gardener is the ​

Select answer

​

Calculated is the ​

Select answer

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence. Another name for a dependent clause is a subordinate clause. Most dependent clauses are introduced by words like although, before, because, so that, when, while, so, and that. 

Multiple Choice

after she had measured the plot carefully 

Can this clause stand alone?

• Yes, it is independent.

• No, it is dependent.

Dependent + Independent

A dependent clause can be joined to an independent clause to express a complete thought. 

Multiple Select

The gardener calculated the total area after she had measured the plot carefully.

Select the true statements below.

• 'The gardener calculated the total area' is the independent clause.

• 'The gardener calculated the total area' is the dependent clause.

• 'after she had measured the plot carefully' is the independent clause.

• 'after she had measured the plot carefully' is the dependent clause.

Let's try it!

Are you ready?

Multiple Choice

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

Joyce enjoyed geometry more than she enjoyed algebra. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

She liked the fact that the class began with simple shapes. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

A point was the first thing that the students learned about. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

A point has no length or width. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

When you study geometry, you must use terms accurately. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

For example, you may not say line when you mean line segment. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

A triangle, which everyone recognizes, is a shape made of three line segments. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

An equilateral triangle is a triangle whose three sides are equal. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

An isosceles triangle is different because it has only two equal sides. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

When Nick draws triangles, he uses a ruler. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

Every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

What is the reason why this is true? 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

There are some statements about shapes that cannot be proved. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

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

Statements that cannot be proved are called theorems. 

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause