Dependent vs Independent Clauses

What is true about an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE?

• It has a subject and a predicate

• It makes sense on its own

• It doesn't need any help for it to make sense

• All of the answers are correct

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following sentences is an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (Hint: It has a subject & a predicate & makes sense on its own)

• Going to the lake.

• Off to the races.

• She listens to music every morning.

• Running and skipping down the hall.

Answer explanation

The action word (verb) is: listens

Who or what listens? She

She is the COMPLETE SUBJECT

listens to music every morning is the COMPLETE PREDICATE

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following sentences is an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (Hint: It has a subject & a predicate & makes sense on its own)

• He eats cookies and ice cream for dessert.

• Watches YouTube every day.

• Jumping on the trampoline.

• Waters the plants.

Answer explanation

The action word (verb) is:

eats

Who or what eats? He

He is the COMPLETE SUBJECT

eats cookies and ice cream for dessert is the COMPLETE PREDICATE

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following statements is true about a DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

• It DOESN'T make sense on its own

• It starts with a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION (think of the acronym AWHITEBUS)

• It is an INCOMPLETE thought

• ALL of the answers are correct

Answer explanation

Notice the 'D' in DEPENDENT and the 'D' for DOESN'T make sense

A DEPENDENT CLAUSE leaves the reader wondering what else or what more?

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

What else is true about a DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

• It has a subject and a predicate but is NOT a complete thought

• It starts with a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION (think of the acronym AWHITEBUS)

• It needs an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE to help it make sense

• ALL of the answers are correct

Answer explanation

Notice the 'D' in DEPENDENT and the 'D' for DOESN'T make sense

A DEPENDENT CLAUSE leaves the reader wondering what else or what more?

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following fragments is a DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

(HINT: A Dependent Clause ALWAYS starts with a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION - think of the acronym AWHITEBUS)

• Although I cried

• Even though I overslept

• Because my friend called

• These are all examples of DEPENDENT CLAUSES

Answer explanation

Notice how each fragment STARTS with a subordinating conjunction (AWHITEBUS)

AND it DOESN'T make sense on its own.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following fragments is a DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

(HINT: A Dependent Clause ALWAYS starts with a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION - think of the acronym AWHITEBUS)

• I walked through the meadow.

• Until the cows come home.

• Sophia gazed at the stars.

• Eduardo played Fortnite all night long.

Answer explanation

Notice how the fragment 'Until the cows came home,' STARTS with a subordinating conjunction (AWHITEBUS)

AND it DOESN'T make sense on its own.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

I will practice until my alarm clock rings.

Which clause is the DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

• I will practice

• until my alarm clock rings

Answer explanation

Notice that the SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION

'UNTIL' starts the DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

The whole DEPENDENT CLAUSE is: until my alarm clock rings

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Before I get dressed, I brush my teeth.

Which clause is the DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

• Before I get dressed,

• I brush my teeth

Answer explanation

Notice that the SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION

'BEFORE' starts the DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

The whole DEPENDENT CLAUSE is: Before I get dressed,

Since the DEPENDENT CLAUSE is at the BEGINNING of the sentence, a comma (,) is needed to separate the DEPENDENT CLAUSE from the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

We are safe from the sharks while the dolphins are with us.

Which clause is the DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

• We are safe from the sharks

• while the dolphins are with us

Answer explanation

Notice that the SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION

'WHILE' starts the DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

The whole DEPENDENT CLAUSE is: while the dolphins are with us

Since the DEPENDENT CLAUSE is at the END of the sentence, NO comma (,) is needed.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B