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.

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.

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.

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 subordinating conjunction. 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 subordinating conjunction is added to the beginning or end of an independent clause. This turns it into a dependent clause. Example: We ate dinner. (independent clause) Once we ate dinner… (dependent clause) Subordinating conjunction

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

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 subordinating conjunction.