Independent/ Dependent Clauses/Complex Sentences

Independent/ Dependent Clauses/Complex Sentences

An independent ( main ) clause can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent (subordinate) clause contains a subject and verb, but it does not express a complete thought and can’t stand alone as a sentence. The dependent clause must be attached to the independent clause to complete the meaning. Dependent clauses often begin with a subordinating conjunction such as although, because, if, since, untiland when. They may also begin with a relative pronoun such as who, which, orthat.

Simple Sentence

called an independent clause
contains a subject & verb
expresses a complete thought

Compound Sentence

contains 2 independent clauses joined by a conjunction

( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so ( Hint: the first letter of each of the conjunction spells FANBOYS).

Except for very short sentences, conjunctions are always preceded( in front) by a comma.

Complex Sentences

has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses.
Always has a subordinate (because, since, after, although, when, relative pronoun such as that, who, which).
When a complex sentence begins with a subordinate, a comma is required at the end of the dependent clause.

Name______Homework #1 Due Date:______

Identify each clause as independent ( IND) or Dependent ( D). Underline the subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun if there is one. Capitalize and punctuate as needed.

____1.until you understand

____2.since I have cleaned my room

____3.she finished her homework

____4.before he became an archaeologist

____5.we saw an elephant

____6.who buy their tickets in advance

____7.jean makes the best candy

____8.after the music stopped

____9.the microwave is broken

____10.which is broken again

____11.beth wears sensible walking shoes

____12.since the walk is long

____13.shadows are longer in the winter.

____14.we were thirty minutes late for the presentation

Part 2: Circle the independent clause. Highlight the dependent clause yellow.

____15. Because she wears too much makeup, she looks like a clown

____ 16. Until the light bulb was invented, people used candlelight to read.

____17. Before the banana can be eaten, it needs to ripen more.

____18. Although the report was in plain view, no one could locate it.

____19. If the turkey is not refrigerated, it will spoil.

____20. Because you’re afraid, you do not have to enter the cave.

____21. Because good records were not kept, they could not verify the information for the phone company.

____22. Until the entire project is completed, you will receive an F.

Name______Homework #2 Due Date:______

Dependent & Independent Clauses

A sentence is a complete thought containing a subject and a verb. A dependent clause is an incomplete thought that has a subject and verb, but does not make a complete thought. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

** Decide if these sentences are independent or dependent. Write CX if it is a complex sentence.

____1. If you plan the party, I will come.

____2. I will take the early flight if absolutely necessary.

____3. Because of her great personality, Lauren is very popular.

____4. Mr. West, a computer programmer, will help us set up our new computer.

____5. The new teacher who is being evaluated is in Room 306.

____6. When the summer gets hot, Alice longs for snowy mountains.

____7. Since the party is on a school night, I can’t go.

____8. The dog that looks like a stray belongs to my neighbor.

____9. The state which is my favorite is Maine.

____10. Rebecca is my friend who loves animals.

____11. You must put on your seatbelt before I start the car.

____12. Whenever we want great homemade pie, we go to my grandmother’s house.

____13. Because you are my friend, I will tell you my secret!

____14. The girl wearing the yellow headband is my sister.

____15. Mrs. Scott, who was my third grade teacher, is my new neighbor.

** Underline the independent clause. Circle the dependent clause.

____1.If you plan the party, I will come.

____2. I will take the early flight if absolutely necessary.

____3. Because of her great personality, Lauren is very popular.

____4. Mr. West, a computer programmer, will help us set up our new computer.

____5. The new teacher who is being evaluated is in Room 306.

____6. When the summer gets hot, Alice longs for snowy mountains.

____7. Since the party is on a school night, I can’t go.

____8. The dog that looks like a stray belongs to my neighbor.

____9. The state which is my favorite is Maine.

____10. Rebecca is my friend who loves animals.

____11. You must put on your seatbelt before I start the car.

____12. Whenever we want great homemade pie, we go to my grandmother’s house.

____13. Because you are my friend, I will tell you my secret!

____14. The girl wearing the yellow headband is my sister.

____15. Mrs. Scott, who was my third grade teacher, is my new neighbor

Name______Homework #3 Due Date:______

Simple, Complex, Compound Sentences

Simple= yellowCompound= greenComplex= blue

Because Arlette was in an accident, she was taken to the emergency room.
Magda has volunteered to help after school.
The newlyweds vacationed in the Bahamas since the weather was beautiful.
Handsome Scott is Jennifer’s boyfriend.
After the bluebirds flew onto the deck in the backyard, they disappeared.
My friend will be visiting from Chicago this weekend.
Ann and Annie drove to the mall while Mary rode her bike.
Irene read her novel on Saturday, but Missy played tennis.
We only have eight days of school left.
Sherry wrote a thank-you letter, and Andy sent an email.

Name______

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences.

Color Code each sentence as follows:

Simple- blue

Compound- yellow

Complex- green

I used to enjoy babysitting!
I make $5.00 an hour, and I like having a job.
Last week I took care of the Ferguson twins.
I got a terrible headache because they cried all evening.
Sam French cried the most since he bumped his head on the door.
Mr. Brown must pay me more, or I’ll never babysit for his kids again.
Frankie Forester is usually sweet, but he was terrible last week.
I will have to bring a friend with me next week.
I enjoy learning in school.
Although I was tired after my babysitting job, I watched a movie later.
When Carl screamed at the teacher, he immediately had to report to detention hall.
The Brown triplets are quite a handful!
I can’t wait for summer vacation.

Name______Homework #4 Due Date:______

Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences

S= SimpleC= CompoundCX= Complex

Despite his staying up late to study for the English final, he still failed the exam.
I am excited about summer vacation.
When the school year ends, I will visit my cousins and grandparents in Guatemala.
Today is a very hot day.
Several students got sunburned yesterday.
The boys ate cotton candy, and watched movies on TV over the holiday.
We can read and write, but we have difficulty with writing.
I know you will enjoy your summer since you studied and passed all of your classes this year.
Because she is sleepy, she did not get to finish her classwork and test.
Mary rode her horse, and Thomas rode his motorcycle.

Name______Homework #5 Due Date:______

Identifying Simple, Compound & Complex Sentences

Label each sentence as simple, compound, or complex.

I missed the bus.______
Because his father has to work late, I asked David to eat dinner with us.

______

I want to stay for the baseball game, but I’ll come home right afterward.______
I tried to call home, but no one answered the phone.______
Paul invited me to spend the night since today is his birthday. ______
If it is okay with you, I want to get my new shoes today.______
I will be at Shane’s till 5:00.______
Do you want me to mow the lawn, or do you want me to walk the dogs?______
When I opened the cage, our canary escaped.______
Can you make 24 cupcakes for school tomorrow?______