Identify dependent and independent clauses

Key Notes:

Definition of Clauses

• Clause: A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb). Clauses can be categorized into two main types: independent and dependent.

Independent Clauses

• An independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone.
• It expresses a complete thought and has both a subject and a verb.
• Example: “She likes to read.”
  • Subject: She
  • Verb: likes

Dependent Clauses

• A dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought.
• It also contains a subject and a verb but requires an independent clause to make sense.
• Example: “Although she likes to read,”
  • Subject: she
  • Verb: likes
  • This clause is dependent because it leaves the reader waiting for more information.

Identifying Independent Clauses

• Look for a subject and a verb that together form a complete thought.
• It can stand alone as a sentence.
• Test by seeing if the clause makes sense by itself.
• Examples:
  • “The sun is shining.”
  • “He will arrive soon.”

Identifying Dependent Clauses

• Usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if, when, since, unless) or a relative pronoun (e.g., who, which, that).
• Check if the clause leaves you needing more information to complete the thought.
• Examples:
  • “Because it was raining,”
  • “When the movie ended,”
  • “Which was surprising,”

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

• Because
• Although
• Since
• If
• When
• While
• After
• Unless
• Before

Combining Clauses

• Complex Sentence: A sentence that includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
• Example: “Because it was raining, we decided to stay inside.”
  • Independent clause: “we decided to stay inside”
  • Dependent clause: “Because it was raining”

Punctuation Rules

• If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma after it.
  • Example: “Although he was tired, he finished his homework.”
• If the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed.
  • Example: “He finished his homework although he was tired.”