Independent and dependent clauses

 

Definition:

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject, and a verb, but it is not a complete thought.

An independent clause is a full sentence that can stand on its own and is a complete thought.

Own words: 

A dependent clause is a sentence that depends on other words to be complete and can’t be used on its own. To make it a complete thought you would need to add an independent clause. It has both a noun and a verb but because it has a conjunction, it can’t be used on its own. It is important to note that a dependent clause is not a fragment. If you took away the conjunction, the dependent clause would become independent. A fragment, however, does not have a conjunction and is not a complete clause.

An independent clause is independent and can be used on its own. It can be paired with a dependent clause because independent clauses are rather short and would need a dependent clause, conjunctions, subordinates, and commas to make a longer and better sentence. They can also be changed into a dependent clause by adding a subordinate to either the beginning or end. If the subordinate is added to the beginning of the clause, a comma at the end is required. Generally, two independent clauses can be joined together by making the first one dependent (with a subordinate, and in some cases, a comma). This forms a complete sentence out of two clauses.

Examples:

Independent: “I love Froot Loops.”,  “I am very hungry.” and “I don’t believe in Santa.”.

Explanation: They convey a full thought, have nouns and verbs, and are rather short.

Dependent: “So I bought seven boxes.” “Because I haven’t eaten since the morning.” Since my parents didn’t make me.”

Explanation: They all have a noun and verb but don’t convey a full thought or idea. They leave the reader with a question. Why did you buy seven? You haven’t eaten since when? Why can’t you reach across?

 

Putting together independent and dependent clauses:

You can see how we would need to add commas and conjunctions to make bigger sentences using these two clauses. Here are what the sentences would be if we put them together.

“I love Froot Loops so I bought seven boxes.”

“Because I haven’t eaten since the morning, I am very hungry.”

“I never believed in Santa since my parents didn’t make me.”

Putting together independent clauses:

As well, we can make a complete sentenced by putting together two independent clauses. To do this, we must first make one of them dependent by adding a conjunction, then combine them (in some cases, with the use of a comma).

“Santa isn’t real.” “Reindeer can’t fly.”

Both of these are independent clauses, as they can stand on their own and convey entire ideas. We can combine them by adding “because” either to the beginning, or in between the two clauses. Personally, I think it flows better when it is in between.

“Santa isn’t real because reindeer can’t fly.”

In the following example, we’ll be able to see how adding a comma is necessary when putting the conjunction at the beginning.

“Santa’s reindeer are very fast.” “They’re able to deliver all the presents in one night.”

“Since Santa’s reindeer are very fast, they’re able to deliver all the presents in one night.”

 

Questions: 

 

• 1) Complete clauses are called ___.

1. A) Dependent clauses
2. B)  Independent clauses
3. C)  Subordinates
4. D) Conjugations

 

• 2) Dependent clauses have ____.

1. A) Only lowercase letters
2. B) No punctuation
3. C) Verbs and nouns
4. D) A spelling mistake/ grammatical error

 

• 3) When putting an independent and dependent clause together you also need to add _____.

1. Nothing because they will already be complete.
2. Verbs, nouns and adjectives.
3. Subordinates and/or commas.
4. Proper punctuation and grammar.

 

• 4) Independent clauses are not ____. (Pick the answer that makes the statement true.)

1. Complete clauses
2. Relying on another clause
3. Conveying a thought
4. Made dependent by adding a subordinate and/or comma

 

• 5) Dependent clauses are not ___. (Pick the answer that makes the statement true.)

1. Leaving the reader with a question
2. Fragments
3. Relying on another clause
4. Containing nouns and verbs.

 

 

 Answer Key:

 

• independent clauses (B)

 

• verbs and nouns (C)

 

• Subordinates and commas (C)

 

• Relying on another clause (B)

 

• Fragments (B)