Dependent Clauses, Independent Clauses, and Phrases

A clause is

• A group of words that is used as a single part of speech. It does not contain BOTH a subject and a verb.
• A group of words that contains both a subject and a verb. It can stand alone or with another clause.
• a word that takes the place of a noun.
• a word that is the action or state of being in the sentence.

When the day ends, we can all go home and make cookies.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

When the day ends, we can all go home and make cookies.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

Before I went to school, I had a big cup of coffee.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

Before I went to school, I had a huge cup of coffee.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

I had a huge cup of coffee before I went to school.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

I had a huge cup of coffee before I went to school.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

We had a great time after the weather cleared.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

Everything was fine until Sally came along.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

Everything was fine until Sally came along.

• dependent clause
• independent clause