Tutorial on Independent and Dependent Clauses

Thats the ticket!

Oops, try again!Remember to ask the three questions:

1. Does it have a subject? She2. Does it have a verb? Is ( to be verb)3. Does it complete a thought? at the store

This clause does not pass all of the questions, so it is a dependent clause.

Click here to go back to the quiz.

ClausesA clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent.Independent ClauseAn independent clause has a subject , a verb and completes a thought. It serves as a sentence by itself.

Example: He goes to the library.

He is the subject, goes is the verb, and the clause completes a thought. Independent ClauseThink about the letter IWhen something or someone are independent, that means they can stand on their own. Think of when a little kids yells, I want to do it myself! They want to be independent.

Dependent ClauseA dependent clause or subordinate clause is an incomplete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. Although a clause may have a subject and verb, it does not complete a thought; therefore it is dependent. A newborn needs helpfrom their parents or other theyare dependent on theirparents.

Dependent ClauseIf you have to ask so what? when you read the clause because you need more information, it is most likely dependent.

Example: After he goes to the store.

he is the subject and goes is the verb, but the clause does not complete a thought. What does he do after he goes to the store?

Review: Remember to ask three questions when reading a clause:

Lets Practice: Determine if the following clause is dependent of independent:Help!

DependentIndependent

That is not correct!This is kind of a trick question. Help! Is actually an independent clause because it has a:Subject: You: you are an implied subjectVerb: helpComplete thought: Hey you, help me!

Lets try that again.

Lets Practice: Determine if the following clause is dependent of independent:She is at the store

DependentIndependent

That is incorrect!Remember to ask the three questions?1. Does it have a subject? She2. Does it have a verb? Is ( to be verb)3. Does it complete a thought? at the store

This clause passes all three questions, so it is an independent clause.

Click here to go back to the quiz.

Lets Practice: Determine if the following clause is dependent of independent:Before he naps

Dependent Independent

Sentence FragmentsUsing an dependent clauses on its own is what we call the dreaded sentence fragment. sentence fragmentBecause we wanted toOnce we had realized

Although we did not have any After we left the park

Since its Friday Before we knew it

But do not worry because we can easily avoid this!

Subordinate ConjunctionWe can join a dependent clause with an independent clause to make a complete sentence by using a subordinate conjunction.

Subordinating Conjunctionsafteralthoughasbecausebeforeeven ifeven thoughifin order thatonceprovided thatrather thansinceso thatthanthatthoughunlessuntilwhenwheneverwherewhereaswhereverwhetherwhilewhyThe following is a list of the most common subordinating conjunctions:Combining ClausesWe can combine clauses two ways:The first way:

For example:I was ready for the test after I had studied all night.

More examples:independentdependent

I worked on my homework while I was making dinner.

West is the best because they showed better sportsmanship.

Watching TV seemed like a bad idea unless I could work while I watched.Combining ClausesHere is the second way to combine independent and dependent clauses:

Example:Because I was studying, I chose not to go to the party.More ExamplesSince she was always tardy, she was going to have to serve a detention.

Although I enjoy sledding, I have not gone since I was a child.

If I want a good grade, I should try to stay awake in class.Lets Review:In order to avoid sentence fragments, you can combine dependent clauses and independent clauses in two ways:1.

I wanted to see the scary movie because I heard it was good.

2.

Because I heard it was good, I wanted to see the scary movie.

Ive got this! Take me to the test.

Id like to review. Take me back to review subordinate clauses.

Id like to start over from the beginning.

#1: Determine if the following clause is independent or dependent.When we left the mall

DependentIndependent You Rock!

Youre on fire!

You are dabomb!

Oops, try again!Remember to ask the three questions:1. Does it have a subject? She2. Does it have a verb? Is ( to be verb)3. Does it complete a thought? at the store

This clause does not complete a thought, so it is dependent. Click here to go back to the quiz.

#5:Determine if the following clause is independent or dependent He decided it was wise not to challenge the Hulk in a wrestling match

DependentIndependent

Oops, try again!Remember to ask the three questions1. Does it have a subject? She2. Does it have a verb? Is ( to be verb)3. Does it complete a thought? at the store

This clause passes all questions, so it is an independent clause.Click here to return to the quiz

#6: Determine which of the following sentences is grammatically correctBecause he was going to be late, he called to change the reservation.

Because he was going to be late he changed the reservation.

Because, he was going to be late, he called to change the reservation.Oops, try again.Remember:

#7:Determine which of the following sentences is grammatically correctIf you want to be successful you should never give up trying.

If you want to be, successful you should never give up trying.

If you want to be successful, you should never give up trying.Oops, try again!Remember:

8:Determine which of the following sentences is grammatically correctWhen she found out The Rock was returning, to the WWE she was ecstatic.

When she found out The Rock was returning to the WWE, she was ecstatic.

When she found out The Rock was returning to the WWE she was ecstatic.

Bravo!

I wish I was that smart

Oops, try again!Remember: ( no commas)

10:Determine which of the following sentences is grammatically correct.We were all there, when she arrived.

We were all there when she arrived.

We were all there when, she arrived.

Oops, try again!Remember:

11: Determine which of the following sentences is NOT grammatically correctIf she wanted to buy the tickets, she would have to get a job.

She would have to get a job if she wanted to buy the tickets.

She would have to get a job, if she wanted to buy the tickets.

Oops, try again!12: Determine which of the following sentences is NOT grammatically correctHe was very smart although he was young.

Although he was young and smart.

Although he was young, he was very smart.That is incorrect.Remember:

Congratulations!You have just completed this tutorial on independent and dependent clauses.

If you have any questions or comments, you can contact the author of this tutorial at dabaum31@yahoo.com.Click here to print or view a copy of the notes from this tutorial.