Independent and Dependent Clauses

If SUBJECTS AND PREDICATES are the foundation for beautiful sentences, INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES are the walls.

“All you have to do is write one true sentence, write the truest sentence you know” – Ernest Hemmingway

Independent (Main) and Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses

INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES

A clause is a group of related words.  A clause has both a subject and a predicate.  There are two types of clauses.

*Independent Clause - An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.  Here is an example: We walk to school.  This sentence expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. Must have a subject, a verb, and a complete thought

*Dependent Clause - A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.  Here is an example: When the cake is done baking - This clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. Has a subject and a verb, but not a complete thought

The difference between an independent and a dependent clause is the type of word it starts with, this is called a SUBORDINATE WORD.

A dependent clause starts with a subordinator word such as “when,” “if” or “which.” Examples: When Ronnie gets here, If Denise comes to class late, which I bought last weekend

An independent clause can stand alone.  An independent clause is also a simple sentence because it has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. The sentence does not leave the reader feeling like he/she needs more information. Examples: Let’s start the beautiful music. I’ll tell her the assignment is ready. The defective battery needs replacing. Every sentence must have at least one independent clause.

Combining the two kinds of clauses in different configurations creates 3 different kinds of sentences.

COMPLEX COMPOUND COMPLEX-COMPOUND

When a dependent clause is combined with an independent clause, the combination creates a longer sentence.  These example sentences with two clauses are called complex sentences. They have both an independent and a dependent clause COMPLEX Examples When Ronnie gets here, let’s start the music. If Denise comes to class late, I’ll tell her the assignment. The battery, which I bought last weekend, is defective. Notice that the dependent clause, if it stood alone, leaves out necessary information.

When two independent clauses are put together to make a longer sentence, the combination is called a compound sentence. This is done with a comma and/or a FANBOYS (for-and-nor-but-or-yet-so) conjunction. COMPOUND Examples: The dogs barked all night, and the cats meowed in protest. The weather is beautiful today, so I’ll take a walk. Notice that both clauses have a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.  T An independent clause is also a simple sentence.

When two independent clauses are joined with AT LEAST one dependent clause a complex-compound sentence is created. The dependent clause is underlined, the independent clauses are in italics, and the conjunction is bolded. COMPLEX-COMPOUND Examples While Tom reads novels, Jack reads comics, but Sam only reads magazines. Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much. Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered PUNCTUATION IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN CREATING COMPLEX-COMPOUND SENTENCES.

.

LIST OF COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

after	so that	that	even though	which
although	since	before	even if	whom
as	provided (that)	until	when	though
as if	now that	unless	whenever
as long as	lest	till ( or 'til)	where
as much as	inasmuch	in order that	wherever
as soon as	if	as though	while
than	how	because	who

Exercise: In the following sentences underline each adverb dependent clause.

1. Because I partied all weekend, I never found time to do my homework.

2. I hate to drink coffee because it always upsets my stomach.

3. When you win the lottery, you can buy me dinner.

4. Although I don’t remember his name, I’m sure that man is a famous actor.

5. As I was walking down Broadway, a police car jumped the curb and ran over my cat.

6. After I graduate from TVI, I hope to work as a nurse at Lovelace hospital.

7. You will never be a good student if you do not study.

8. The train was racing through the city as the evening sun went down.

9. This assignment is easy if you have taken a grammar course.

Subordinators such as “who,” “which,” “that,” and “whom” start adjective dependent clauses.

Examples My cat, who is soft and sweet, hates dogs. The store that is on the corner has been robbed five times. The weather, which is beautiful, makes me want to take a walk.

Exercise: In the following sentences underline each dependent clause on the hard copy you have..

1. John Smith, who was an early English explorer, is most famous for his love for the Native American girl Pocahontas.

2. TVI, which is the only community college in Albuquerque, is now offering courses in computer science.

3. A mule, which is the cross between a horse and a donkey, is known for being stubborn.

4. Money that is gained dishonestly spends just like money that is earned honestly.

5. I like to drink Pepsi at Duffy’s, which is my favorite hangout.  

6. The man in the blue shirt, whom I first met in Canada at an AA conference, is the speaker tonight.  

7. Money, which is often called the root of all evil, is good to have.  

8. The high school that you attended must have had a wonderful English program.

9. The woman who has the orange hair is my dear mother.