Identifying Independent/Dependent Clauses

How do you identify clauses in complex sentences?

• By looking for punctuation marks in each part of the sentence.

• By counting the number of words in each part of the sentence.

• By looking for a subject and a verb in each part of the sentence.

• By identifying the main idea of the sentence.

Which of the following is an independent clause? (multiple answers are correct)

• Although it is raining outside.

• When he failed the test.

• I went to the store to buy tomatoes.

• Making spaghetti and meatballs is fun!

Answer explanation

Independent clauses contain subjects and verbs, express complete thoughts, and can stand by themselves as sentences.

Tags

L.7.1a

Which of the following is an independent clause?

• Because every sentence must contain a subject and verb

• Without a subject or verb

• Every sentence must contain a subject and verb

• Identifying clauses

Answer explanation

Independent clauses contain subjects and verbs, express complete thoughts, and can stand by themselves as sentences.

Tags

L.7.1a

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• The swimmers dove off the blocks, but they were called back due to a false start.

• The swimmers dove off the blocks at the sound of the whistle.

• When the swimmers dove off the blocks.

• At the sound of the whistle.

Answer explanation

This sentences contains two complete thoughts. Two independent clauses (simple sentences) joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction = compound sentence.

Tags

L.7.1b

An independent clause​ (a)   , and a dependent clause ​ ​ (b)   to be a complete thought.

• can stand on it's own

• needs help

• can't stand on its own

Which one is a dependent clause?

• Bob is an awesome kid.

• While John helped

• Abhinav, Praneeth and Sayhan are legends.

• George Washington was the first president of the USA.

Which one is an Independent clause?

• I am going to Kansas next month.

• Until next time

• Susan is having dinner with Fred

• After she read

What is a clause?

• group of words that contains a subject and a verb and is used as part of a sentence or a sentence by itself.

• small group of words that are standing together.

• An adjective

• A verb

BONUS Question: All simple sentences are independent clauses.

• True

• False

The dog growls when he is angry. What kind of clause is underlined in the example sentence given?

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause