Clauses
What is a clause?
What is an independent clause?
What is a dependent clause?
What is a subordinate clause?
Do you need a comma?
Clauses Have Subjects and Verbs
Some clauses are sentences.
Jonas ate an apple.
Some clauses are NOT sentences.
After Jonas ate an apple.
Clauses That Are Not Sentences are Dependent Clauses
Dependent means it relies on others.
Look at this toddler.
This toddler DEPENDS on others.
Clauses That Are Sentences are Independent Clauses
Independent means it does not rely on others.
You probably feel independent sometimes. You don't need someone else.
Getting a drivers license makes us feel independent.
Independent Clauses
subjects and verbs
can stand on their own
Dependent Clauses
subjects and verbs
they cannot stand on their own
Independent Clauses
The cat ate cereal.
Jerry will graduate college.
Dependent Clauses
While the cat ate cereal
If Jerry will graduate from college
Notice a curious thing:
The dependent clauses here are actually longer - they have more words.
Independent Clauses
Can stand on their own
Does not need babysitter.
The band performed three songs.
Dependent Clauses
Need to be helped by an independent clause
It needs a grown up who is independent.
While the band performed three songs, Jemima did a dance routine.
Here is a video that might help.
The Difference Is...
Subordinating Conjunctions
Link to the source of this list
50 Subordinating Conjunctions
These words or phrases subordinate a part of the sentence.
What?
They make one part of the sentence subordinate to another. They lower the rank of that part so it is dependent on the other.
Subordinate means "lower rank or position"
Do you see how a subordinating conjunction makes one part of the sentence of lower rank or position?
Commas With Subordinate Clauses
A dependent clause with a subordinating conjuction is sometimes set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
What's the difference between these two?
- I will wash the dishes after I get home.
- After I get home, I will wash the dishes.
The red text is the subordinate clause (it is dependent and needs an independent clause as a babysitter)
Subordinate Clauses Before Or After The Independent Clause
- Before he graduated from college, he worked at the local bookstore.
- I had never been to Boston until this summer.
- In order to finish the homework she had, Maria had to start right now.
Is the dependent / subordinate clause before or after the independent clause?
Which part is independent?
- Because he was a doctor, he had to work over the holiday.
- Benny couldn't help since he had a broken ankle.
- While people came in, Jordan handed out programs.
Which part is independent?
Why does one have a comma and the others don't?
A Dependent Clause is Separated from an Independent Clause by a comma only when the Dependent clause comes before the Independent Clause
Supply commas where they belong.
- Once Jim arrives we can open gifts.
- When Lennie doesn't listen to George he sometimes gets himself into trouble
- Because Of Mice and Men is the title of a novel it needs to be italicized.
- Jillian will be visiting a lot once this pandemic is over.
- Whether or not it rains we are going to have the wedding outside.
- Just as Brenda deserves your respect you deserve Brenda's respect.
- He brought those over because he knew you had lost yours.
Thanks for Learning
Clauses
By Nathan Mattson
