Sentence Clauses

Sentence Clauses

• Clauses have a subject and verb.

Independent Clauses

• An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.

• Every sentence must have at least one independent clause.

• When an independent clause stands alone, it is called a simple sentence.

Independent Clauses

• 1. Does the word group have a subject?

• 2. Does the word group have a verb?

• 3. Is the word group a complete thought?

If you answered yes to all three questions, the word group is an independent clause.

Independent Clause Examples

• Gertie practices soccer every day.

• She has improved a great deal.

• Her team won yesterday's game, so she went out to celebrate.

Subordinate (Dependent) Clauses

• A dependent (subordinate) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.

• A subordinate clause must be joined with at least one independent clause to make a sentence and express a complete thought.

Subordinate (Dependent) Clauses

• 1. Does the word group have a subject? Yes

• 2. Does the word group have a verb?

• Yes

• 3. Is the word group a complete thought? No

Subordinate (Dependent) Clause Examples

• that Dad cooked for us

• If you set realistic goals

• Before the sun sets

Subordinate (Dependent) Clause examples within sentences

• We all enjoyed the dinner that Dad cooked for us.

• If you set realistic goals, you are more likely to succeed.

• Before the sun sets, I need to mow the lawn.

Clauses within sentences

Practice: Identify the purple clauses in the sentences as

independent or subordinate (dependent).

1. He worked on the jigsaw puzzle.2. She likes the guy who sits in front of her.3. I’ll do the experiment if you will record the

results.4. Kara, who is an artist, painted the banner.

Sentence Clauses

• Assignment• Turn to page 389 in your grammar book.• For numbers 2-10, identify the italicized

clause as either an independent or subordinate (dependent).

• Example:While Dad was sleeping, we decorated the house for his birthday party.