Independent and Dependent Clauses
What is an independent clauses?
An independent clause is a completed thought used in various sentence types.
What is a simple sentence?
A simple sentence is an independent clause and can stand alone as a completed thought.
Bonus Knowledge: It can contain prepositional and appositive phrases and still remain simple. Simple does not necessarily mean "short."
What is a compound sentence?
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses separated most often by a coordinating conjunction, and sometimes by a semicolon.
What is a complex sentence?
A complex sentence must contain one independent clause, and at least one dependent clause.
What is a compound-complex sentence?
A compound-complex sentence must contain two independent clauses separated by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon, plus at least on dependent clause.
What is a dependent clause and what does it contain?
A dependent clause is an incomplete part of a sentence. Though it contains a subject and predicate, it begins with a subordinating conjunction, making it "incomplete" without an independent clauses.
Identify the subject and predicate in the following simple sentence.
Sod houses stayed cool in the summer months.
Subject= houses
Predicate= stayed
Identify the subjects and predicates in the following compound sentence.
I ride bikes each weekend, then I go home for dinner.
I ride
I go
Identify the independent clause in the following complex sentence.
Although I enjoy swimming, I would prefer to go mountain biking.
I would prefer to go mountain biking.
Identify the dependent clause in the following compound-complex sentence.
When our school celebrates Earth Day, we sign up for environmental projects, and we try to complete them all in one day.
When our school celebrates Earth Day
What is the independent clause in the following sentence?
Before we walked to the park, we visited the store to buy some snacks.
We visited the store to buy some snacks.
Identify the subject, predicate, and prepositional phrase in the following simple sentence.
Polar bears live a secluded life in the Arctic.
Subject: polar bears
Predicate: live
Prepositional Phrase: in the Arctic
Demonstrate two ways of editing the following sentences to combine them into one compound sentence.
My friends and I wanted to wanted to go on a bike ride. We asked our parent's permission.
My friends and I wanted to wanted to go on a bike ride, so we asked our parent's permission.
My friends and I wanted to wanted to go on a bike ride; we asked our parent's permission.
Identify the dependent and the independent clauses in the following complex sentence.
Student volunteers read stories to the children who were in the daycare center.
Independent: Student volunteers read stories to the children
Dependent: who were in the daycare center.
Identify the independent and dependent clauses in the following compound-complex sentence.
When our school celebrates earth day, we sign up for environmental projects, and we try to complete them all in one day.
Dependent: When our school celebrates earth day
Independent:
we sign up for environmental projects,
and we try to complete them all in one day.
When we booked our vacation, we decided we wanted to visit a Caribbean destination, because many of the islands contain the most beautiful beaches in the world.
When we booked our vacation
Identify the simple sentence in the following passage.
Though it can be dangerous in bad weather, hiking is generally a safe and effective way to get exercise. It is a low impact hobby that everyone should try. Those who are suffering from mental health problems may enjoy hiking. It allows one to connect with nature and it promotes stress relief.
Those who are suffering from mental health problems may enjoy hiking.
Identify the compound sentence in the following passage.
Though it can be dangerous in bad weather, hiking is generally a safe and effective way to get exercise. It is a low impact hobby I hope everyone will try. Those who are suffering from mental health problems may enjoy hiking. It allows one to connect with nature, and it promotes stress relief.
It allows one to connect with nature, and it promotes stress relief.
Identify the complex sentence in the following passage.
Volunteers are desperately needed to keep a shelter running. While animal shelters are grossly underfunded, they are often short on volunteers as well. There are many simple ways one can volunteer to help these shelters, and this often does not require a huge time comitment.
While animal shelters are grossly underfunded, they are often short on volunteers as well
Write your own compound-complex sentence to share with the class.
Answers will vary.
Identify the independent as well as the dependent clauses in the following sentence. ALSO, identify the subordinating conjunction (dependent marker) and the coordinating conjunction.
Though Mandy prefers watching romantic films, she rented the latest spy thriller, and she enjoyed it very much.
Dependent: Though Mandy prefers watching romantic films
Independent:
she rented the latest spy thriller,
and she enjoyed it very much.
Though is subordinating, and is coordinating
Which of the following sentences are considered simple?
A) Feel free to write me a personal check.
B) Though I enjoy spaghetti, I would prefer tacos for dinner.
C) Sociology and anthropology are both social sciences.
D) No aspect of life goes untouched by social class.
E) I would like to take a walk to the park before I have to go to work.
A) Feel free to write me a personal check.
C) Sociology and anthropology are both social sciences.
D) No aspect of life goes untouched by social class.
Identify which of the following sentences are compound.
A) Although the storm knocked out electricity, the county offices remained open.
B) The schools decided to close; they could not function without electricity.
C) Before the storm began, the weather created eerie darkness.
D) Darkness is a common sign of a severe storm, and it can often mean trouble is brewing.
E) Storms like this are common in many midwest and southern states.
B) The schools decided to close; they could not function without electricity.
D) Darkness is a common sign of a severe storm, and it can often mean trouble is brewing.
Identify which of the following sentences are complex.
A) He was crying, so I gave him back his jacket.
B) When the field trip ended, the students were very tired.
C) Mr. Luzo enjoys fishing on the weekends, but he also enjoys painting.
D) Watching the sea turtles come to shore is a fascinating opportunity.
E) They were friends because of their long history of communication.
B) When the field trip ended, the students were very tired.
E) They were friends because of their long history of communication.
Identify the compound-complex sentence/s in the following passage.
When we realized the extent of poverty in the city, we decided to take action, and we began multiple fundraisers. It was difficult sometimes to discern which families were most in need. Before we distributed food, we always checked the rations, and we often marked specific delivery locations on the maps. It felt good being able to contribute to the wellbeing of others.
When we realized the extent of poverty in the city, we decided to take action, and we began multiple fundraisers.
Before we distributed food, we always checked the rations, and we often marked specific delivery locations on the maps.