Name Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent and Dependent Clauses

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. The main
clause (independent clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand
alone as a sentence.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES: Ellen likes to sew.

Ken is a bully.
Mark eats ants.

A subordinate clause (dependent clause) does not express a complete

thought, and must be attached to a main clause.

DEPENDENT CLAUSES: Ellen likes to sew because it is relaxing.

Ken is a bully, so he has no friends.
Mark eats ants since he wants to stop global
warming.

Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence.

1. My mother is a nurse since she likes to help people.

2. After the storm there were branches in the street.

3. I asked the question that no one else wanted to ask.

4. Frank took the bus, which shows how democratic he is.

5. Sheila eats carrots when she wants to have a snack.

6. If you want to be my friend, you will tell me the truth.

7. They get along well because they never see each other.

8. Although we requested help, we didn’t get any.

9. I made good money until I lost my job.

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