Clauses: Identify and Combine

The dog is playing catch.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Answer explanation

The sentence 'The dog is playing catch' expresses a complete thought and can stand alone, making it an independent clause. A dependent clause, in contrast, cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

When my mother arrives.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Answer explanation

The phrase 'When my mother arrives' is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause to provide a complete thought.

Identify the independent clause in the following sentence: "Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk."

• Although it was raining

• We decided to go for a walk

Answer explanation

The independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. In the sentence, "We decided to go for a walk" is the independent clause, while "Although it was raining" is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.

Which of the following is a dependent clause?

• She enjoys reading books

• Because she enjoys reading books

Answer explanation

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. 'Because she enjoys reading books' is a dependent clause, as it begins with 'because' and relies on additional information to form a complete thought.

Combine the following clauses correctly: "I finished my homework" and "I went to the park."

• I finished my homework, I went to the park.

• I went to the park because I finished my homework.

• I finished my homework because I went to the park.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is "I went to the park because I finished my homework" as it indicates a logical sequence where completing homework allowed for the trip to the park, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation: "She was tired she went to bed early."

• She was tired, she went to bed early.

• She was tired; she went to bed early.

• She was tired because she went to bed early.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'She was tired; she went to bed early.' because it uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses, indicating a close relationship between the two thoughts.

Identify the independent clause in the following sentence: "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."

• If you study hard

• You will pass the exam

Answer explanation

The independent clause is "You will pass the exam" because it can stand alone as a complete thought. The phrase "If you study hard" is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.

Which of the following sentences contains a dependent clause?

• The sun is shining brightly.

• When the sun is shining brightly, we go to the beach.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'When the sun is shining brightly, we go to the beach,' contains a dependent clause ('When the sun is shining brightly') that cannot stand alone, unlike the other sentence which is independent.

Combine the following clauses correctly: "The movie wasn't interesting" and "I fell asleep."

• The movie wasn't interesting, I fell asleep.

• The movie wasn't interesting, so I fell asleep.

• The movie wasn't interesting because I fell asleep.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The movie wasn't interesting, so I fell asleep.' This indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting that the lack of interest in the movie led to falling asleep.

Choose the sentence with correct FANBOY: "He didn't like the meal he ate it anyway."

• He didn't like the meal, he ate it anyway.

• He didn't like the meal, but he ate it anyway.

• He didn't like the meal because he ate it anyway.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is "He didn't like the meal, but he ate it anyway." The conjunction "but" appropriately contrasts the two clauses, indicating that despite not liking the meal, he still chose to eat it.