Independent & Dependent

What is a clause? A clause is a group of related words in a sentence. A clause will always contain a subject and a verb. Subject: the person, place, or thing the sentence is about. Verb: the action the subject is doing. A clause is different than a phrase.

Subjects and Verbs Every clause needs a subject and a verb. Examples: The five monkeys at the zoo eat bananas. Q: Who is this sentence about? A: monkeys – this is the subject Q: What are they doing? A: eating – this is the verb

Clauses vs. Phrases Clause Phrase Contains a subject and a verb Example: When the girl ran toward the field, … The girl ran toward the field. Does not contain a subject and verb Example: In the morning, … On the field, …

Independent Clauses Independent clauses… express a single, complete thought. have one subject and one verb. are a complete sentence. Independent clauses are referred to as simple sentences. Example: The girl forgot her homework.

Subject + Verb = Complete Thought Independent Clauses All independent clauses will be a complete thought. Independent clauses are also main clauses. Subject + Verb = Complete Thought

Independent Clauses More examples: She was happy. He drew a snowflake. My cat likes to play. She napped peacefully. She napped. Independent clauses do not have to be long to be complete. This sentence is just two words long. Since it contains a subject and a verb and is a complete thought, it is an independent clause and a complete simple subject!

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. Four small kittens looked around the room for their mother.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. Four small kittens looked around the room for their mother.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. Four small kittens looked around the room for their mother.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. The school’s tennis team won its match.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. The school’s tennis team won its match.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. The school’s tennis team won its match.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. The racecar in first place sped around the track quickly.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. The racecar in first place sped around the track quickly.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. The racecar in first place sped around the track quickly.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. Cara left.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. Cara left.

Your Turn! Identify the subject and verb in the independent clause below. Cara left.

Why should I know this? Being able to identify subjects and verbs in clauses will help you determine if a sentence is a simple sentence, a run-on sentence, or a fragment. Being able to distinguish between the three will help you improve your writing.

Independent Clause vs. Not Fragment We held the door. This is an independent clause (simple sentence) because it contains a subject, verb, and complete thought. She ate all of her dinner. This is an independent clause. While we held the door. What happened while we held the door? This isn’t a complete thought, so it is a fragment. It is also a dependent clause. After eating all of her dinner. What happened after this? Once again, this is a fragment and a dependent clause.

Independent Clause vs. Not Run-on Sentence She likes football. This is an independent clause (simple sentence) because it contains a subject, verb, and complete thought. We went home. This is an independent clause because it has a subject and a verb. It is a complete thought. She likes football it is her favorite. This is a run-on sentence because it contains two subjects and two verbs. It does not have the proper punctuation. We went home we were tired. This run-on sentence has two complete thoughts.

Dependent Clauses Like independent clauses, dependent clauses also contain a subject and a verb. However, dependent clauses DO NOT express a complete thought. When standing alone, dependent clauses are sentence fragments. Dependent clauses =/= complete sentences.

Dependent Clauses Dependent clauses are usually indicated by a marker word. Example: While we held the door… What happened while we held the door? After eating dinner… What happened after dinner? These dependent clauses are not complete thoughts.

Dependent Clauses The marker word is usually added to the beginning of an independent clause. This turns it into a dependent clause. Example: We ate dinner. (independent clause) Once we ate dinner… (dependent clause) marker word

These are common marker words. Dependent Clauses These are common marker words. after as if even since until although because even though though when as before if unless while

Dependent Clauses In your notes, add a marker word to the independent clauses below to turn them into dependent clauses. We watched the movie. She helped her sister. The baby laughed at the puppet. Carolyn saw a hippo at the zoo.

Independent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. She took the cat outside. Independent Clause!

Independent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. We walked. Independent Clause!

Dependent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. After walking next to the river. Dependent Clause!

Dependent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. Before going to sleep. Dependent Clause!

Independent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. My teacher helped me with my work. Independent Clause!

Dependent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. While helping me with my work. Dependent Clause!

Independent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. Amy drove the car. Independent Clause!

Independent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. Jorge wanted to get some food. Independent Clause!

Dependent Clause! Your turn! Identify if the group of words below is an independent or dependent clause. After eating lunch. Dependent Clause!

Write With Clauses Using a variety of clauses in your writing will help improve your style. Practice varying sentence structures in your writing by adding dependent clauses to independent clauses.

Dependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clause = Complex Sentence Write With Clauses When you combine a dependent clause with an independent clause, you get a complex sentence! Dependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clause = Complex Sentence

Your Turn! Example: The snow blanketed the mountains. In your notes, turn the independent clause into a dependent clause and finish the complete thought. Example: The snow blanketed the mountains. As the snow blanketed the mountains, the skiers took shelter in the lodge. marker word independent clause becomes dependent separate clauses with a comma the thought is completed

Your Turn! Example: The sidewalk cracked during the earthquake. In your notes, turn the independent clause into a dependent clause and finish the complete thought. Example: The sidewalk cracked during the earthquake. After the sidewalk cracked during the earthquake, the city workers repaired it quickly. marker word independent clause becomes dependent separate clauses with a comma the thought is completed

Your Turn! The rain came pouring down. In your notes, turn the independent clause into a dependent clause and finish the complete thought. The rain came pouring down. After the rain came pouring down, the city streets were flooded. As the rain came pouring down, she used an umbrella to try to stay dry.

Your Turn! The chef prepared the meal. In your notes, turn the independent clause into a dependent clause and finish the complete thought. The chef prepared the meal. Before the chef prepared the meal, he cleaned the kitchen. If the chef prepared the meal, it should be ready to eat.

Your Turn! The flashlight ran out of batteries. In your notes, turn the independent clause into a dependent clause and finish the complete thought. The flashlight ran out of batteries. Although the flashlight ran out of batteries, we can still see because we have a lantern. Because the flashlight ran out of batteries, the campers could not find their way.

Your Turn! Leonard took a picture. In your notes, turn the independent clause into a dependent clause and finish the complete thought. Leonard took a picture. Since Leonard took a picture, they have a lasting memory to cherish. If Leonard took a picture, they would have had a lasting memory.

Review Clauses have a subject and a verb. Independent clauses are simple sentence that complete a single thought. Dependent clauses do not complete a thought. Dependent clauses begin with a marker word.