Combining Clauses for Complex Sentences

What is a clause?

• A single word

• A sentence without a verb

• A group of words without a subject and a verb

• A phrase or group of words that includes a subject and a verb

Which of the following is an independent clause?

• Although the girl talks rapidly

• Because the girl talks rapidly

• When I get on the bus

• The girl talks rapidly

What makes a clause dependent?

• It does not have a verb

• It cannot stand alone as a complete thought

• It does not have a subject

• It can stand alone as a complete thought

Which of the following is a dependent clause?

• I’ll be happy

• The girl talks rapidly

• Her mother understands her

• Even though the girl talks rapidly

What is a complex sentence?

• A sentence with a dependent and an independent clause

• A sentence with no clauses

• A sentence with two independent clauses

• A sentence with two dependent clauses

Where should a comma be placed in a complex sentence?

• After the independent clause

• Before the dependent clause

• After the dependent clause when it starts the sentence

• Before the independent clause when it starts the sentence

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

• I’m going to sit, with Duane when I get on the bus.

• When I get on the bus, I’m going to sit with Duane.

• When I get on the bus I’m going to sit with Duane.

• I’m going to sit with Duane, when I get on the bus.

What is the purpose of a comma in a complex sentence?

• To indicate a pause in speech

• To separate two independent clauses

• To end a sentence

• To separate two dependent clauses

How can you emphasize different parts of a complex sentence?

• By adding more clauses

• By flip-flopping the dependent and independent clauses

• By changing the subject

• By changing the verb

What is a key feature of a dependent clause?

• It always ends with a period

• It can stand alone as a complete thought

• It always starts with a noun

• It cannot stand alone as a complete thought