Clause (Not Santa) Definition: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb

After this lesson I will be able to… determine the difference between a dependent and independent clause, and identify them in a sentence.

There are two kinds of clauses:  Independent and  Dependent

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE  A clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.  AKA a sentence

Examples of INDEPENDENT CLAUSES  he memorized a poem last night  Mary will read her poem  many people enjoy poetry

When an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE starts with a capital letter and ends with a period or question mark, it is a SENTENCE.  He memorized a poem.  Mary will read her poem at school.  Many people enjoy poetry.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE  A clause that DOES NOT express a complete thought AND  CANNOT stand by itself as a sentence

Examples of DEPENDENT CLAUSES  because he memorized a poem  when Mary reads her poem at school  since many people enjoy poetry

A DEPENDENT CLAUSE will be a FRAGMENT when the clause begins with a capital letter and ends in a period or question mark. THIS IS A GRAMMATICAL ERROR!  Because he memorized a poem.

What makes a clause DEPENDENT?  A clause is dependent when it begins with a subordinate word.  Examples: when, while, which, because, since, unless, etc.

A DEPENDENT CLAUSE needs an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE to create a true sentence.  Because he memorized a poem, Cooper will receive extra credit.  Cooper will receive extra credit because he memorized a poem.

I CAN… determine the difference between a dependent and independent clause, and identify them in a sentence.

Let’s Practice!  Independent Clause = “I”  Dependent Clause = “D”  If it is dependent, rewrite it to make it a complete sentence REWRITE:

although it was rainingD REWRITE:

John saw squirrels playingI REWRITE:

whenever she gets poor grades in math D REWRITE:

when you finish your homework D REWRITE:

I didn’t want to wear a jacketI REWRITE:

because you had to drive to a meeting D REWRITE:

When an independent clause and a dependent clause are put together to form one sentence we call it a COMPLEX sentence.

PUNCTUATION: When the dependent clause comes first, it is usually followed by a comma.  When the rain stops, the game will begin.

PUNCTUATION: When the dependent clause comes last, there is generally no comma.  The game will begin when the rain stops.

Let’s Practice!  REWRITE each complex sentence by changing the order of the independent and dependent clauses.  Underling the independent clause in each complex sentence

I got to work late because I had car trouble. Rewrite: Because I had car trouble, I got to work late. 1. Rewrite the sentence 2. Underline the independent clause in your new sentence

Whenever she’s nervous, she bites her nails. Rewrite: She bites her nails whenever she is nervous. 1. Rewrite the sentence 2. Underline the independent clause in your new sentence

If I had a job like yours, I would quit! Rewrite: I would quit if I had a job like yours! 1. Rewrite the sentence 2. Underline the independent clause in your new sentence

Many people watch too much TV although they know better. Rewrite: Although they know better, many people watch too much TV. 1. Rewrite the sentence 2. Underline the independent clause in your new sentence