Independent vs. dependent clause

Which of these can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought?

• A dependent clause

• An independent clause

• A phrase

• A subordinating conjunction

Answer explanation

An independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete idea, so it can be its own sentence. A dependent clause needs an independent clause to be complete.

In the sentence 'I'll text you when I get home,' which part is the independent clause?

• I'll text you

• when I get home

• get home

• when I

Answer explanation

'I'll text you' is the independent clause because it has a subject (I) and verb (will text) and can stand alone as a complete sentence. 'When I get home' is dependent.

Locate the dependent clause in this sentence: 'The pizza, which had extra cheese, was delicious.'

• The pizza was delicious

• The pizza

• which had extra cheese

• was delicious

Answer explanation

The clause 'which had extra cheese' starts with the relative pronoun 'which' and provides extra information about the pizza, but it can't stand alone as a sentence.

Complete the sentence with the best subordinating conjunction: I can't go to the party ______ I have to babysit my little brother.

• so

• because

• but

• yet

Answer explanation

The word 'because' correctly shows the cause-and-effect relationship, explaining why I can't go to the party. 'So' and 'but' are coordinating conjunctions and don't fit the sentence structure here.

In the sentence 'I think that we should leave soon,' what is the function of the clause 'that we should leave soon'?

• It describes the person 'I'.

• It explains when we should leave.

• It acts as the object of the verb 'think'.

• It is an independent clause.

Answer explanation

The clause 'that we should leave soon' is a noun clause. It answers the question 'I think what?', making it the direct object of the verb 'think'.

Which of these is a sentence fragment because it's only a dependent clause?

• The game starts at noon.

• Did you bring snacks?

• After we finished the project.

• Our team won.

Answer explanation

'After we finished the project' is a fragment because the word 'After' makes it a dependent clause that can't stand alone. The other options are complete sentences.

Combine these two ideas into one complex sentence: 'The sun was setting. We packed up our beach towels.'

• The sun was setting, so we packed up our beach towels.

• The sun was setting, and we packed up our beach towels.

• As the sun was setting, we packed up our beach towels.

• The sun was setting; we packed up our beach towels.

Answer explanation

Using 'As' creates a dependent clause that shows the two actions happening at the same time, forming a correct complex sentence. The other options use coordination (FANBOYS) or a semicolon, which create compound sentences.

How can you correctly change the independent clause 'My team won the game' into a dependent clause?

• Add a period at the end.

• Add a subordinating word like 'Although' to the beginning.

• Take out the verb 'won'.

• Add a coordinating conjunction like 'and' to the beginning.

Answer explanation

Adding a subordinating conjunction (like 'Although', 'Since', 'When') to the start of an independent clause is the correct way to make it dependent.

Complete the sentence to show a contrast: ______ he is my best friend, we sometimes disagree about music.

• Because

• Although

• Until

• Whenever

Answer explanation

'Although' is the correct subordinating conjunction to show contrast between two ideas (being best friends and disagreeing). 'Because' shows a reason, and 'Until' and 'Whenever' relate to time.

Which sentence correctly joins an independent and a dependent clause?

• Since it was a holiday we slept in late.

• The dog barked, because he was hungry.

• Unless you finish your homework, you can't watch TV.

• I read the book that you recommended me.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly uses a comma after the introductory dependent clause ('Unless you finish your homework,'). Option A is missing a comma, Option B incorrectly adds a comma before 'because', and Option D has a word choice error ('recommended to me' is better).