 Group of words that contain a subject and a verb  Ex: Your genes carry your family’s genetic history. Clauses SUBJECT VERB

 Independent (or main) clauses express a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.  Genes contain the code for your physical appearance.  Dependent clauses contain a subject and verb but do not express a complete thought. The can NOT stand alone.  because inherited traits often skip a generation Independent vs. Dependent Clauses

 To complete a sentence a dependent clause MUST be combined with or be part of an independent clause.  Genes contain the code that determine your height.  Because inherited traits often skip a generation, you may resemble your grandparents more than your parents. Creating Complete Sentences

 Unlike a clause, a verbal phrase has no subject  Verbal phrase: Driving under the bridge, she sneezed.  Clause: As she was driving over the bridge, she sneezed. Dependent Clauses vs. Phrases

Identify the underlined clauses as dependent or independent. 1. Although you inherit your looks, the origin of your personality is mysterious. 2. Research on identical twins has fueled what scientists call the “heredity versus environment” debate. 3. The debate focuses on one question: whether personality is mainly inherited or mainly shaped by family and other people. 4. Identical twins raised in separate families showed amazing similarities even though the families were very different. Practice