Dependent ClausesLance Jessurun

A clause is a closely related group of words that includes both a subject and a verb.

Two types of clauses: Independent and Dependent.

Independent Clauses contain a subject and a verb and can stand on their own, whereas Dependent Clauses cannot.

What is a Clause?

Independent vs. Dependent Clauses

Independent Clause Dependent Clause

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

In the above sentence, Jim is the subject and studied is the verb.

This clause can stand on its own as a sentence.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz…

In this case, Jim studied is still the subject and verb, but the thought is incomplete because of the dependent marker word, when. What happened when Jim studied in the sweet shop?

A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.

Some common dependent marker words are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Independent vs. Dependent Clauses (cont.)

In fused sentences, the dependent clause can either be in front of or behind the independent clause.

(Top picture, dependent clause 2nd. Bottom picture, dependent clause 1st)

Fused Sentences

Sometimes, a dependent clause can be in the middle of the independent clause.

(In the top picture, no commas separate the independent clause from the dependent clause. In the bottom picture, there is a comma)

Other Cases

When you are concerned about whether a sentence is or is not a fragment, a good way to start is to be able to recognize dependent and independent clauses.

Uses of Dependent Clauses

1. The doctor told Charlie to lose weight and exercise vigorously for forty-five minutes a day.

a) This sentence has two independent clauses.

b) This sentence has no independent clauses. c) This sentence has one independent

clause.

Dependent Clause Questions

2. The doctor was worried that Charlie was putting on too much weight.

a) The section in blue is an independent clause.

b) ‘The independent clause is "The doctor was worried.“

c) This sentence has no independent clause.

Dependent Clause Questions (cont.)

3. Charlie has a hard time sticking to a diet; he really loves rich, sweet desserts.

a) This sentence has two independent clauses.

b) This sentence has one independent clause.

c) This sentence has no independent clauses.

Dependent Clause Questions (cont.)

4. In fact, the last time he tried to lose weight, he ended up actually gaining weight.

a) "he ended up actually gaining weight" is the only independent clause.

b) The section in blue is the independent clause.

c) This sentence has two independent clauses.

Dependent Clause Questions (cont.)

5. Charlie has decided to hire a personal trainer because he is worried about his heart.

a) The section in blue is an independent clause.

b) This sentence has two independent clauses.

c) "Charlie has decided to hire a personal trainer" is the independent clause.

Dependent Clause Questions (cont.)

1. c 2. b 3. a 4. a 5. c

Answers