The difference between an independent and dependent clause.
What is an independent clause contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone, but a dependent clause cannot.
100
Identify the dependent clause and determine whether it is essential or non-essential:
Ezra Blung, who is the guy seated next to me, wouldn’t stop talking.
What is non-essential
100
Identify the dependent clause(s) and determine whether the clause(s) functions as an adjective or adverb clause(s).
Those students, whose books are overdue, must pay large fines before getting a report card.
What is "whose books are overdue" and it is an adjective clause
100
Identify all clauses (both dependent and independent) and label all dependent clauses as adjective or adverb clauses.
Delicatessens on Sunday night, when all other stores are shut, will overcharge you ferociously.
(Saul Bellow, "A Father-to-Be")
Independent clause: Delicatessens on Sunday night will overcharge you ferociously.
Adverb clause: when all other stores are shut
100
Determine whether the following sentence is a simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
Hermione’s face was half concealed by a tea towel but Harry distinctly saw her throw a reproachful look at Mrs. Weasley at these words.
Compound sentence
200
List three subordinating conjunctions an adverb clause can begin with:
Answers will vary, but may include: after, although, as, as if, before, because, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, where, and while
200
Identify the independent and/or dependent clause(s). Determine whether the clause is essential or non-essential and punctuate it as necessary.
People who demand special treatment make me angry.
Independent clause: People make me angry
Dependent clause: who demand special treatment
No additional punctuation is necessary; it is an essential clause
200
Identify the dependent clause(s) and determine whether the clause(s) functions as an adjective or adverb clause(s).
When I finish my homework, I will call you to check my answers.
What is "when I finish my homework" and it is an adverb clause
200
Identify all phrases in the following sentence and label any dependent clauses.
Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk.
Appositive phrase: the Charms teacher
Infinitive phrases: to stand on a pile of books; to see over his desk
Prepositional phrase: on a pile of books; over his desk
Adverb clause: when all other stores are shut
200
Determine whether the following sentence is a simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
The blank picture on the wall was now breathing very
slowly and deeply, as though its invisible occupant was asleep.
Complex sentence
300
List five relative pronouns commonly used to introduce adjective clauses:
What are who, whose, whom, which, and that
300
Identify the independent and/or dependent clause(s). Determine whether the clause is essential or non-essential and punctuate it as necessary.
Leonard who is a health nut runs five miles a day.
Independent clause: Leonard runs five miles a day.
Dependent clause: who is a health nut
Add commas after Leonard and after nut; it is a non-essential clause
300
Identify the dependent clause(s) and determine whether the clause(s) functions as an adjective or adverb clause(s).
"He was at the other end of the lifeboat, where the zebra used to be, turned my way and sitting up...”
(Yann Martel, Life of Pi, pg. 225)
What is an adjective clauses and "where the zebra used to be"
300
Determine whether the following sentence is a simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
"He passed dark factories and deserted parks, and rows of little houses where wood just fired filled the air with sweet reassurance." (Winter's Tale, Mark Helprin)
Complex sentence
300
Determine whether the following sentence is a simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
Harry crossed the dingy landing, turned the bedroom doorknob, which was shaped like a serpent’s head, and opened the door.
Complex sentence
400
List the two subordinating conjunctions that can also be used to begin an adjective clause.
What are when and where
400
Identify the independent and/or dependent clause(s). Determine whether the clause is essential or non-essential and punctuate it as necessary.
Eunice stopped wearing eucalyptus lotion after she was attacked by a group of hungry sloths.
Independent clause: Eunice stopped wearing eucalyptus lotion
Dependent clause: after she was attached by a group of hungry slots.
No additional punctuation necessary; essential
400
Identify the dependent clause(s) and determine whether the clause(s) function as an adjective or adverb.
For some reason, porcupines often have bonding issues if they are trying to find friends.
Adverb clause: If they are trying to find friends.
400
Identify and label all phrases and clauses in the following sentence.
Mundungus redeemed himself slightly in Mrs. Weasley’s eyes by rescuing Ron from an ancient set of purple robes that had tried to strangle him when he removed them from their wardrobe.
Independent clause: Mundungus redeemed himself slightly in Mrs. Weasley's eyes by rescuing Ron from an ancient set of purple robes
Dependent clause: that had tried to strangle him; wen he removed them from their wardrobe
Prepositional phrases: in Mrs. Weasley's eyes; by rescuing Ron; from an ancient set; of purple robes; from their wardrobe
Infinitive phrase: to strangle him
400
Determine whether the following sentence is a simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Simple sentence
500
List the AAAWWUBBIS subordinating conjunctions:
What are: as, although, after, while, when, unless, because, before, if, since
500
Identify the independent and/or dependent clause(s). Determine whether the clause is essential or non-essential and punctuate it as necessary.
When she grinned her baby teeth shone like a string of pearls and when she laughed her thin shoulders shook and twitched. (Keith Donahue, The Stolen Child)
Independent clauses: 1) Her baby teeth shone like a string of pearls, 2) Her thin shoulders shook and twitched
Dependent clauses: 1) When she grinned, 2) When she laughed
There should be a comma after grinned, pearls, and laughed; the dependent clauses are essential
500
Identify the dependent clause(s) and determine whether it functions as an adjective or adverb.
The month-old video camera was lying on top of a small, working tank Dudley had once driven over the next door neighbor’s dog; in the corner was Dudley’s first-ever television set, which he’d put his foot through when his favorite program had been canceled; there was a large birdcage, which had once held a parrot that Dudley had swapped at school for a real air rifle, which was up on a shelf with the end all bent because Dudley had sat on it.
Adjective clauses:
which he’d put his foot through
which had once held a parrot
that Dudley had swapped at school for a real air rifle
which was up on a shelf with the end all bent
Adverb clauses:
his favorite program had been canceled
because Dudley had sat on it
500
Identify and label all phrases and clauses in the following sentence. Also label the sentence type
Several witches and wizards were looking at him curiously; he stared at his feet to avoid catching anyone’s eye, and flattened his fringe as he did so.
Sentence type: compound-complex
Independent clauses: 1) several witches and wizards were looking at him curiously, 2) he stared at his feet to avoid catching anyone's eye, and flattened his fringe
Dependent clause: as he did so
Infinitive phrase: to avoid catching anyone's eye
500
Determine whether the following sentence is a simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
They reported that he’d been voted out of the Chairmanship of the International Confederation of Wizards because he’s getting old and losing his grip, but it’s not true, he was voted out by Ministry wizards after he made a speech announcing Voldemort’s return.