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. It can stand alone as a sentence.

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. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

What is a comma splice?

Back

A comma splice is a grammar error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses. Common examples include 'and', 'but', and 'or'.

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

Provide an example of an independent clause.

Back

"I enjoy reading books." This is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

Provide an example of a dependent clause.

Back

"Because I enjoy reading books" is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

What punctuation is used to separate independent clauses when using a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction to separate independent clauses.

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.