Independent and Dependent Clauses

*A dependent clause is a clause that does not express a complete thought and can not stand on its own as a sentence.

*An independent clause is a clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence.

Example: After lunch, the students will do a Math lesson.
Dependent clause: after lunch
Independent clause: the students will do a Math lesson.

*Decide whether the underlined part of the sentence is the dependent or independent clause.

Since it is raining, we will not be going to the park today.
Answer:

You can’t play outside until your room is cleaned.
Answer:

My mom is cooking dinner while I do my homework.
Answer:

After school, I have to take my dog for a walk.
Answer:

They arrived late because the got stuck in traffic.
Answer:

1 answer

  1. Since it is raining
    Answer: Dependent clause

  2. Until your room is cleaned
    Answer: Dependent clause

  3. While I do my homework
    Answer: Dependent clause

  4. After school
    Answer: Dependent clause

  5. Because they got stuck in traffic
    Answer: Dependent clause