8.2: Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses
- Page ID
- 375722
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Before we begin a discussion about complex sentences, we will explore the differences between two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. All sentences have at least one clause, but not all clauses are sentences.
These clauses are sentences:
The children were playing outside.
Brian bought a new car.
Tim and Marcy went to the doctor.
These clauses are not sentences:
while their parents were visiting inside
even though his old car was in good condition
because Marcy felt sick
How are they different?
There are two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. Sometimes you hear them called by different names.
Independent clauses are sometimes also called main clauses.
Dependent clauses are sometimes called subordinate clauses.
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence by itself. An independent clause is like an adult person: it is independent and can “live” by itself.
An independent clause is formed with:
Subject + Verb (+ Complement)
The following sentences show examples of independent clauses (underlined):
Athletes and coaches work out three times a day.
Jenna had twins last year, and her sister is having twins this year.
Many individuals experience culture shock when they come to the United States.
Because Maryna likes clowns, she goes to the circus often.
A dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (also called a subordinator) followed by a subject, verb, and complement. It does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence. A dependent clause is like a little child: it cannot “live” by itself.
A dependent clause is formed with:
Subordinator + Subject + Verb (+ Complement)
There are many subordinating conjunctions, but we will study just 14 of them in this chapter. Even though we will study only 14 subordinating conjunctions, it is still a lot to learn! Be patient with yourself while you are learning the meanings and how to use them in sentences. As you continue to study English, you will recognize more of them in the texts that you read.
Here is a list of the subordinating conjunctions that we will study:
- when
- as soon as
- once
- before
- after
- while
- as
- if
- in case
- because
- since
- although
- even though
- whereas
Here are some examples of dependent clauses:
…when the term was over…
…after the university accepted my application…
…if you leave your children unattended…
…because I had a job interview…
...although I enjoy listening to podcasts…
Notice that they all begin with subordinators, and when you read them aloud, they seem incomplete. You need more information for each because the dependent clause isn’t a complete thought.
Which of the following are independent clauses, and which are not? Write I or D to identify whether the clause is independent or dependent. When you are finished, discuss your answers with a partner.
- ____ as soon as the lights went out
- ____ he is shy but has many friends
- ____ if you prefer to take the bus
- ____ she needs to borrow your notes
- ____ once you turn in your writing assignment
- ____ students study and socialize in the library
- ____ as I complete my homework each evening
- ____ he had to review for the final exam
- ____ when I feel bored
- ____ she proposed to me
- ____ because Miriam is shy
- ____ we went out to eat after the football game
- ____ even though I usually drive to campus
- ____ my friends Victor and Edgar came to my house to play video games with me
- ____ before it was time to leave for school
- ____ while the students were traveling to the concert
- ____ my roommate intends to finish college
- ____ in case Nelson leaves his car unlocked
- ____ many textbooks provide charts and graphs
- ____ since you’re taking Upper Intermediate Reading/Writing next term
- ____ he learns new words by using a vocabulary log
- ____ although Silvia wants to write on this topic
- ____ some students listen quietly in class and learn a lot
- ____ after Ruth’s husband drove her to campus
- ____ whereas evening classes are held on the Harmony campus
- ____ people have strong opinions