Independent and Dependent Clauses

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, indicating a relationship between the two.

Front

Give an example of a subordinating conjunction.

Back

Examples include: because, although, unless, while, since.

Front

What is the function of an independent clause in a sentence?

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is the function of a dependent clause in a sentence?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone and must be connected to an independent clause.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we went for a walk.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause in the sentence: 'If you finish your homework, you can go out.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'If you finish your homework.'

Front

What is the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?

Back

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone, while a dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

Front

What is an example of a sentence with both an independent and a dependent clause?

Back

'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.' (Dependent: 'Because I was tired'; Independent: 'I went to bed early.').