Clauses
Learn about independent and dependent clauses and how they form sentences
What Are Clauses?
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. Clauses are the building blocks of sentences and can be either independent (complete thoughts) or dependent (incomplete thoughts). Understanding clauses helps you write more complex and varied sentences.
Independent Clauses
Definition
What is an Independent Clause?
A complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence
Characteristics
Has a subject and predicate, expresses complete idea
Function
Can be a sentence by itself
Examples
I love reading. The cat sleeps. She runs fast.
Types of Independent Clauses
Simple Sentence
One independent clause
Compound Sentence
Two or more independent clauses
Simple Example
The dog barks.
Compound Example
The dog barks, and the cat runs.
Dependent Clauses
Definition
What is a Dependent Clause?
An incomplete thought that cannot stand alone
Characteristics
Has subject and predicate but needs more information
Function
Must be attached to an independent clause
Examples
When I arrived, Because it was raining, If you study
Types of Dependent Clauses
Adverb Clauses
Modify verbs (when, where, why, how)
Adjective Clauses
Modify nouns (who, which, that)
Noun Clauses
Function as nouns (what, that, whether)
Examples
When I arrived, The book that I read, What you said
Clause Examples
Independent: "I love reading."
Dependent: "When I have time" (needs more information)
Complex: "When I have time, I love reading." (dependent + independent)
Compound: "I love reading, and I write stories." (independent + independent)
Interactive Quiz 1: Identify Clause Types
Identify if each clause is independent or dependent:
1. "I love reading books."
Show Answer
Answer: Independent clause (complete thought, can stand alone)
2. "When I have time"
Show Answer
Answer: Dependent clause (incomplete thought, needs more information)
3. "The cat sleeps peacefully."
Show Answer
Answer: Independent clause (complete thought, can stand alone)
Interactive Quiz 2: Find Dependent Clauses
Find the dependent clauses in each sentence:
When I arrived home, I found a letter on the table.
Show Answer
Answer: "When I arrived home" (adverb clause)
The book that I read was very interesting.
Show Answer
Answer: "that I read" (adjective clause)
I know what you said yesterday.
Show Answer
Answer: "what you said yesterday" (noun clause)
Interactive Quiz 3: Sentence Types
Identify the sentence type:
1. "The dog barks."
Show Answer
Answer: Simple sentence (one independent clause)
2. "The dog barks, and the cat runs."
Show Answer
Answer: Compound sentence (two independent clauses)
3. "When the dog barks, the cat runs."
Show Answer
Answer: Complex sentence (dependent + independent clause)
Interactive Quiz 4: Create Sentences with Clauses
Create sentences using these clause combinations:
Use: adverb clause + independent clause
Show Example
Example: When I have time, I love reading books.
Use: independent clause + adjective clause
Show Example
Example: The book that I read was very interesting.
Use: independent clause + independent clause
Show Example
Example: I love reading, and I write stories.
Important Grammar Rules for Clauses
Complete Sentences
Every sentence must contain at least one independent clause.
Dependent Clauses
Cannot stand alone and must be attached to an independent clause.
Punctuation
Use commas to separate dependent clauses from independent clauses.
Quick Reference
Pro Tip
Clauses are the building blocks of complex sentences!