Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent Clauses An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clause A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word. When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Dependent Marker Word A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause. When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.

Dependent Marker Word Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Coordinating Conjunctions The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

Sentence Types Simple Compound Complex Compound Complex 1 Independent Clause Compound 2 or more Independent Clauses Complex 1 Independent clause and 1 or more dependent clauses. Compound Complex 2 or more independent clauses and 1 or more dependent clauses.

Instructions On your white board, copy down the sentence of each slide. Underline the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Put brackets around the DEPENDENT CLAUSE Write down what type of sentence you think it is: simple, compound, complex, or compound complex. Hold up your board.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! He is smart, but Mr. Heaton is smarter.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Odysseus is an epic hero.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Even though Mr. Heaton is smart, he likes to have fun.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Polyphemus couldn’t keep his eye on Odysseus, and he paid the price.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Because Mr. Heaton loved books so much, he read all Saturday.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! I like to ride unicorns through rainbows, and I enjoy magic carpet rides, too.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Mr. Heaton likes to play basketball and eat food.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Time travel is dangerous, and it can change the future.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Even though Odysseus is crafty, his pride made him taunt Polyphemus, and several men died as a result.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Athena likes Odysseus because of his strength and wit.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Everyone should read the works of Ray Bradbury.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! In order to appreciate books, you should always have a book to read!

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Mr. Heaton’s wife can make a mean cupcake, and she can also bake a killer lasagna.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Mr. Heaton’s wife can make a mean cupcake and bake a killer lasagna.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Even though the Hobbit has odd creatures and magical events, it is a spectacular story to read since it has nonstop action.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Mr. Heaton has a remarkable amount of charm and is an excellent teacher.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Mr. Heaton likes to eat sushi, and he thinks chopsticks are cool.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Because it always gets food in his teeth, Mr. Heaton avoids eating corn on the cob.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Because he has incredible dancing skills, Mr. Heaton put everyone to shame at the party even though they were all backup dancers for Justin Timberlake.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! If you read Ender’s Game, you’ll like reading.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! If you read Ender’s Game, you’ll like reading.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! I like eating chips, but I think french fries are better.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! While I slept last night, I had dreams about unicorns and dragons because I ate Thai food for dinner.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! Mr. Heaton beat Odysseus at arm wrestling.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary. Then tell me what type of sentence it is! After he visited Dirk Nowitzki, Mr. Heaton’s fadeaway was unstoppable because Dirk gave him a few pointers.