Identify dependent and independent clauses
Key Notes :
Understanding Clauses
Clause: A group of words containing a subject and a predicate (verb) that functions as part of a sentence.
Subject: The part of the sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about.
Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells what the subject does or is.
Independent Clauses
Definition: An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.
Example: “She enjoys reading.”
- Here, “She” is the subject, and “enjoys reading” is the predicate.
- This clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses
Definition: A dependent clause also contains a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. It needs an independent clause to complete its meaning.
Example: “Because she enjoys reading”
- This clause has a subject (“she”) and a verb (“enjoys”), but it doesn’t make sense on its own. It leaves the reader asking “what happens because she enjoys reading?”
Types of Dependent Clauses
Adjective Clauses: Describe a noun or pronoun. Often begin with relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, that.
Example: “The book that she borrowed was interesting.”
Adverb Clauses: Modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. They often start with subordinating conjunctions like because, if, although, since, when.
Example: “She stayed up late because she was reading.”
Noun Clauses: Act as a noun in the sentence. They can be subjects, objects, or complements. Often start with words like that, what, whatever, who, whom.
Example: “What she read was inspiring.”
Identifying Clauses
- Look for the subject and verb in the clause.
- Determine if the clause expresses a complete thought.
- If it does, it’s an independent clause.
- If it doesn’t, it’s a dependent clause.
Combining Clauses
Complex Sentences: Use a combination of independent and dependent clauses to add more detail and complexity to writing.
Example: “She enjoys reading because it relaxes her.”
- “She enjoys reading” (independent clause)
- “because it relaxes her” (dependent clause)
Practice Identifying Clauses
Sentence 1: “Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.”
Dependent Clause: “Although it was raining”
Independent Clause: “we decided to go for a walk”
Sentence 2: “She runs every day, and she has completed several marathons.”
Independent Clause 1: “She runs every day”
Independent Clause 2: “she has completed several marathons”
Let’s practice!✒️
