Independent & Dependent Clauses

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

"The dog barked loudly." This is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought.

"Although it was raining." This is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought.

True. Dependent clauses have both a subject and a verb.

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, such as 'because', 'although', or 'when'.

Dependent Clause.

Independent Clause.

A dependent clause adds additional information to the independent clause but cannot stand alone.

Dependent Clause.