Independent Dependent and Subordinate 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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

• Independent clause
• Subordinate clause

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