Subordinating Conjunctions and Independent and Dependent Clauses

An independent clause:

• Contains a subject and a verb

• expresses a complete thought

• Can stand alone as a simple sentence if it is by itself.

Answer explanation

An independent clause contains a subject and verb, expresses a complete thought, and can stand alone as a sentence. It is a simple sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following is an independent clause?

• Love cats.

• I like ice cream and potato chips.

• because the weather is hot today

Answer explanation

I like ice cream and potato chips is a stand alone sentence. It contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought."

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following are true of a subordinate clause? Check all that apply.

• DOES CONTAIN a subject and a verb

• BEGINS with a subordinating conjunction.

• Does NOT express a complete thought.

• CANNOT stand alone as a sentence. Must be attached to an independent clause.

Answer explanation

All of these qualities are part of a subordinate clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following are subordinate (also known as dependent) clauses? Check all that apply.

• because I ran out of ice cream

• unless I study for my test

• since I decided to go

• if I call her on the phone

Answer explanation

All of these are subordinate (dependent) clauses because they all begin with a subordinating conjunction like because, unless, since, and if. They do not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Sometimes a sentence contains both an independent and a subordinate clause.

Is the clause in red ink independent or subordinate?

If you adjust the blinds, you won’t be so hot.

• Independent clause

• Subordinate clause

Answer explanation

The clause is independent because it can stand alone as a sentence. It does not begin with a subordinating conjunction like because, if, unless, or since.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Identify the clause in red ink as either independent or subordinate.

Stay  with  us  if  you  want to.

• Independent clause
• Subordinate clause

Answer explanation

This clause is subordinate because it begins with a subordinating conjunction: if.

It cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be attached to the independent clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Identify the clause in red ink as either independent or subordinate. 

As  far  as  scientists  can  tell,  there  is  no connection between these  two  events.

• Independent clause
• Subordinate clause

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Identify the clause in red ink as either independent or subordinate. 

We  all  enjoyed  the  dinner  that  Dad  cooked  for  us.

• Independent clause
• Subordinate clause

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Identify the clause in red ink as either independent or subordinate.
 
Although  she  was  better  at  music,  she  loved    science.

• Independent clause
• Subordinate clause

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Identify the subordinate clause in each sentence.

Typewriters are a thing of the past since the computer keyboard became popular.

• since the computer keyboard became popular

• typewriters are a thing of the past

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B