Dependent and Independent Clauses - Monday

Aria, James, and Daniel are having a grammar debate. They are stuck on the concept of a dependent clause. Can you help them? What exactly is a dependent clause?

• A dependent clause is a group of words that does not contain a subject or a verb.

• A dependent clause is a group of words that can function as a complete sentence.

• A dependent clause is a group of words that modifies a noun in the main clause.

• A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot function as a complete sentence.

Answer explanation

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It needs to be connected to an independent clause to form a complete thought. The other options describe phrases or clauses that either lack a subject and verb or can stand alone as complete sentences, which do not define a dependent clause.

Imagine that Oliver, Abigail, and Benjamin are having a debate. Oliver says that an independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can function as a complete sentence. Who is right?

• Abigail, who thinks it is a group of words that contains a predicate but not a subject.

• Oliver, who thinks it is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can function as a complete sentence.

• Benjamin, who thinks it is a group of words that contains a subject but not a predicate.

• None of them, as an independent clause is a group of words that cannot function as a complete sentence.

Answer explanation

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a complete sentence. This is because it expresses a complete thought and doesn't require any additional information to be understood. The other options describe incomplete clauses or phrases that cannot form a complete sentence on their own.

Grace, Kai, and Elijah were discussing grammar. They came across a sentence and wondered which of the following is a dependent clause? a) I went to the park. b) Because it was raining. c) She is a talented singer.

• c) She is a talented singer.

• a) I went to the park.

• b) Because it was raining.

• d) I love eating pizza.

Answer explanation

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. The option 'Because it was raining.' is a dependent clause because it doesn't make sense on its own and needs additional information to complete the meaning.

Which of the following is an independent clause?

a) Although it was cold, Michael and Abigail went for a walk with Aiden.
b) Aiden likes to read books.
c) Because Michael studied a lot.

• b) Aiden likes to read books.

• a) Although it was cold, Michael and Abigail went for a walk with Aiden.

• c) Because Michael studied a lot.

• d) Abigail is a doctor.

Answer explanation

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, as it has a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. The correct choice, 'I like to read books.', meets these criteria. It has the subject 'I' and the predicate 'like to read books', and it expresses a complete thought.

Nora, Aiden, and Priya are playing a game to identify dependent clauses in sentences. Help them find the dependent clause in the following sentence:

I will go to the store if I have enough money.

• I will go to the store

• to the store

• have enough money

• if I have enough money

Answer explanation

In the given sentence, 'if I have enough money' is the dependent clause. A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. Here, 'if I have enough money' cannot stand alone as a sentence, it is dependent on the rest of the sentence for context, hence it is the dependent clause.

During a music class, Avery, Oliver, and Abigail were discussing a sentence. Can you help them identify the independent clause in the following sentence? She loves playing the piano.

• She loves playing the piano.

• piano.

• loves playing the

• She

Answer explanation

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has both a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought. In the given question, 'She loves to play the piano.' is a complete sentence with 'She' as the subject and 'loves to play the piano' as the predicate. Therefore, it is the independent clause.

While playing a grammar game, Benjamin asked Abigail and Harper to identify the dependent clause in the following sentences:

1. The cat meowed loudly.
2. After the movie ended, we went home.
3. He ran fast.

In which sentence is the dependent clause?

• a) The cat meowed loudly.

• b) After the movie ended, we went home.

• c) He ran fast.

Answer explanation

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. The option 'After the movie ended, we went home.' is a dependent clause because 'After the movie ended' cannot stand alone as a complete thought.

Evelyn, Sophia, and Aiden were having a debate. Can you help them figure out which of the following is an independent clause? a) While Evelyn was sleeping, the phone rang. b) Sophia went to the beach. c) Since it was hot outside, Aiden stayed home.

• b) Sophia went to the beach.

• d) Aiden ate a sandwich for lunch.

• c) Since it was hot outside, Aiden stayed home.

• a) While Evelyn was sleeping, the phone rang.

Answer explanation

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence. In the given question, 'They went to the beach.' is an independent clause because it has a subject (they) and a verb (went) and expresses a complete thought.