My daughter has some homework in which she has to identify independent clauses and subordinate clauses as well as indentifying whether the sentence is simple, complex, or compound. I can help her with the last part, but don't know how to help her with the subordinate clauses and independent clauses. The sentences are so dang long! For example, the first one is: "Central-Phenix City's lunchroom was full Wednesday to witness one of Ron Nelson's final duties as football coach for the Red Devils as nine players signed letter of intent to play college football." HELP!

Answer 1

Central-Phenix City's lunchroom was full Wednesday to witness one of Ron Nelson's final duties as football coach for the Red Devils = main (independent) clause

as nine players signed letter of intent to play college football = subordinate (dependent) clause

Dependent clauses are almost always introduced by a particular type of word: a subordinate conjunction, a relative pronoun, an interrogative pronoun, etc.

Let me find some links for you.

Answer 2

Central-Phenix City's lunchroom was full Wednesday to witness one of Ron Nelson's final duties as football coach for the Red Devils as nine players signed letter of intent to play college football

Independent clause:
Central-Phenix City's lunchroom was full Wednesday to witness one of Ron Nelson's final duties as football coach for the Red Devils

Subordinate clause:
as nine players signed letter of intent to play college football

Check this site for excellent information about subordinate clauses.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subordinateclause.htm

Answer 3

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/clauses.htm
**The powerpoint presentation is a good one.
**Also, scroll down to the section on independent clauses, then to the section on dependent clauses.
**There are also some good quizzes here that can help to reinforce the ideas.

http://members.cox.net/lenco1/grammarpractice/clausesnav.htm
from http://members.cox.net/teachro/
Really good explanations and practice here.