Can a dependent clause stand alone?
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. Like an independent clause, it has a subject and a verb. It may not, however, express a complete thought and may begin with a signal word called a subordinating conjunction.
What is a dependent clause by itself?
Though an independent clause expresses a complete thought, a dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) does not. In other words, a dependent clause cannot stand as a sentence by itself. It must be combined with one or more independent clauses to form a sentence.
Can a dependent clause work as its own sentence?
Dependent clauses, which start with subordinating conjunctions such as “while,” “that,” or “unless,” give background information but cannot stand on their own as sentences.
What happens when you leave a dependent clause by itself?
A dependent clause or a phrase can not stand alone as a sentence. It is therefore dependent on other words being added to it to create a sentence. Dependent clauses left standing alone are often referred to as sentence fragments. While they contain a subject and a verb, they nonetheless represent incomplete thoughts.
What is the difference between a dependent clause and an independent clause?
According to the Purdue OWL, an independent clause is “a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.” A dependent clause is “a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.”
What are examples of independent clauses?
Independent Clause Examples
- I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and reading.
- Waiting to have my car’s oil changed is boring.
- She wants to travel the world and see wonderful sights.
- Our planets revolve around the sun.
- The professor always comes to class fully prepared.
- Hurricanes strengthen over warm waters.
Do I need a comma between two independent clauses?
Thus, it can separate two independent clauses by itself; a comma cannot separate two independent clauses unless it is followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
What are the two types of clause?
There are two types of clause:
- An independent clause (one that can stand alone as a sentence).
- A dependent clause (one that is usually a supporting part of a sentence).
What is the main clause?
A main clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb which makes complete sense on its own. A main clause can form a complete sentence on its own.
What are main clause examples?
A main clause is one that can stand on its own as a complete thought. It has a main subject and a main verb. Here are some examples of main clauses: He did not want to know the content of the letter.
How do you teach clauses?
A fun grammar activity is to give each student a few note cards. Ask students to write one independent clause per note card. Then, put the independent clauses together with a conjunction for memorable compound sentences. Then, we continue to study dependent clauses, or a clause that cannot stand alone.
What must a main clause have?
A main clause—sometimes called an independent clause—must contain a subject and a verb. Together, this pair expresses a complete thought.
What is an example of a subordinate clause?
A subordinate clause has a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Let’s look at some examples; When she was sick (she=subject; was=verb) Because mom said so (mom=subject; said=verb)
Can there be two main clauses in a sentence?
Two or more independent clauses can be connected together in a single sentence. Sentences that contain two or more independent clauses and no dependent clauses are called compound sentences. Sentence: A sentence is a group of words that contains at least one independent clause.
How do you join two main clauses?
For the sake of variety, however, you will often want to combine simple sentences using coordination to create compound sentences. You can choose one of two methods: Join two independent clauses with a semicolon. Join two independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction.
What is a two clause sentence?
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence has at least one independent clause plus at least one dependent clause. A set of words with no independent clause may be an incomplete sentence, also called a sentence fragment.
Can a sentence have two dependent clauses?
A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one dependent clause (headed by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun ) joined to an independent clause. A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined to one or more dependent clauses.
Are Appositives dependent clauses?
A dependent clause, or subordinate clause, adds information to the sentence by acting as an adjective, adverb, or noun. Frequently, a dependent clause is introduced by a subordinate conjunction. In the appositive form, it adds a description of the book to the sentence.
What is clause and examples?
A clause is a group of words that contains a verb (and usually other components too). A clause may form part of a sentence or it may be a complete sentence in itself. For example: He was eating a bacon sandwich.
What is a clause in a sentences?
A clause is a group of words that contain a subject (the noun or pronoun about which something is being said, usually the doer of the action) and a verb (a doing word). An example of a clause is: The fast, red squirrel darted up a tree. The subject of this clause is the fast, red squirrel and the verb is ‘darted’.
Can a clause have two verbs?
In English, sentences have two basic parts: a subject and a verb. In fact, any phrase that contains both a subject and a verb is a clause. Some clauses can contain two verbs. These constructions are called compound verbs, meaning that two verbs appear in a single sentence, even when there is only one subject.
What are clauses in writing?
A clause is a statement or a question that generally consists of a subject and a verb phrase and constitutes a complete thought. Sentences can consist of a single clause, but they often include two: a main, or independent, clause and a subordinate, or dependent, clause. A main clause can form a complete sentence.
What is a independent clause in writing?
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. Dependent Clause.