Main Clauses and Subordinate Clauses

Independent and Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses

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What is a clause?

• Definition: A clause is a word group that contains a verb and its subject and that is used as a sentence or as part of a sentence.

• Every clause has a subject and a verb.

• Not every clause, however, expresses a complete thought.

• Independent clause (main clause) : A clause that expresses a complete thought.

• Dependent (subordinate) clause: A clause that does not express a complete thought.

Independent Clauses

Have a subject/verb pair which allows them to stand alone as a complete sentence.

Dependent Clauses

Have a subject/verb pair, but CANNOT stand alone because they begin with words making them incomplete (after/although/as/before/even/if/

since/until)

Phrases

Do not have a subject/verb pair and cannot stand alone as sentences. Sometimes they have a verb with no subject or a noun with no verb

Multiple Choice

after I walked away from the explosion

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

I failed my test

• dependent (subordinate) clause

• independent clause

Multiple Choice

as Sarah rode the flying pig

• dependent (subordinate) clause

• independent clause

Multiple Choice

on a sunny day

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

fighting in Narnia

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

because she cried

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

Fred loves chicken

• phrase

• clause

Multiple Choice

the fish stick

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

the dog sneezed

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

as he ran

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

get her you fools

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

swinging from the tree

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

she fell down the stairs

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

Multiple Choice

she fell down the stairs

• phrase

• independent clause

• dependent (subordinate) clause

The Independent Clause

• An independent clause (or main clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.

• Ms. Martin explained the binary number system.

• 1 independent clause

2 independent clauses

(In the binary system), each number is expressed (in powers) (of two), and only the digits 0 and 1 are used.

2 independent clauses joined by a comma and and

1 independent combined with a dependent clause

The binary number system is important to know because it is used (by computers).

An independent clause with a dependent clause.

because indicates the beginning of a dependent clause

Note

An independent clause used by itself is generally called a sentence. The term independent clause is generally used when such a clause is joined with at least one other clause (either independent or dependent) to make a sentence).

The Dependent (Subordinate) Clause

• A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence.

• Like a word or a phrase, a dependent clause can be used as an adjective, a noun, or an adverb in a sentence.

• Examples: that we had collected, what Sue named her pet beagle, when Roberto proofread his essay

The thought expressed by a dependent clause becomes complete when the clause is combined with an independent clause.

• Mr. Smith took the aluminum cans that we had collected to the recycling center. [adj. clause]

• Do you know what Sue named her pet beagle? [noun clause]

• When Roberto proofread his essay, he found several typographical errors. [adv. clause]

Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses

Identify the highlighted word group in the follow sentences as an independent clause or a dependent clause.

Multiple Choice

Large plants like the one in the photographs are where most eggs are processed today.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

After an egg is laid, it gently rolls along the slanted floor of the cage to a narrow conveyor belt.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

These narrow conveyor belts converge into one wide belt that runs directly into the processing plant.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

As soon as the eggs reach the processing plant, they are automatically sprayed with detergent and water.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

The eggs then pass through a specially lit inspection area, where defective eggs can be detected and removed.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

After the eggs are weighed, they are separated by weight into groups.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Each group of eggs goes onto a separate conveyor belt, which leads to a forklike lifting device.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

This device lifts six eggs at a time while the empty egg cartons wait two feet below it.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

The eggs are gently lowered into the cartons, which are then shipped to grocery stores and supermarkets.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

What is truly amazing is that no human hands touch the eggs during the entire process.

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause