English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Identify dependent and independent clauses
Identify dependent and independent clauses
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define what a clause is and identify its essential components (subject and predicate).
Distinguish between a phrase and a clause.
Identify independent clauses that express a complete thought.
Identify dependent clauses that rely on an independent clause for meaning.
Recognize common subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns that introduce dependent clauses.
Explain how independent and dependent clauses combine to form different sentence structures.
Ever wonder why some sentences feel complete on their own, while others leave you hanging? 🤔 Let's unlock the secrets of sentence parts!
In this lesson, you'll learn to identify the two main types of clauses: independent and dependent. Understanding these essential building blocks will help y...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ClauseA group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate (verb). It is the basic unit of a sentence.She sings beautifully.
SubjectThe noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in the clause. It tells 'who' or 'what' the clause is about.In 'The *dog* barked loudly,' 'dog' is the subject.
PredicateThe part of the clause that contains the verb and tells what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and any objects or modifiers.In 'The dog *barked loudly*,' 'barked loudly' is the predicate.
Independent ClauseA clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought. It has a subject and a predicate.The cat slept soundly.
Dependent ClauseA clause th...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Complete Thought' Test for Independent Clauses
An independent clause *always* contains a subject and a predicate, and it makes sense all by itself. If you can put a period after it and it sounds like a full, complete sentence, it's independent.
Use this rule to check if a clause can stand alone. If it conveys a full idea without needing more information, it's independent.
The 'Subordinator' Signal for Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause *always* contains a subject and a predicate, but it *starts* with a subordinating conjunction (like *because, although, when*) or a relative pronoun (like *who, which, that*). These words make the clause unable to stand alone.
Look for these 'signal words' at the beginning of a clause. If one is p...
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Challenging
You are given two clauses: 1) 'the team won the championship' and 2) 'because they practiced every day'. How can you correctly combine them into a single sentence?
A.The team won the championship, because they practiced every day.
B.Because they practiced every day, the team won the championship.
C.The team won the championship. Because they practiced every day.
D.They practiced every day, the team won the championship.
Challenging
Evaluate the sentences below. Which one contains a dependent clause that is essential to identifying which character the sentence is about?
A.The character who solved the mystery was the quiet librarian.
B.The main character, who was very brave, faced the dragon.
C.Since the story was ending, the character went home.
D.The character was happy because the conflict was resolved.
Challenging
Analyze this complex sentence: 'Although it is a story that many people know, the movie adaptation, which was released last year, still managed to surprise the audience.' What is the main independent clause that carries the core action of the sentence?
A.it is a story
B.that many people know
C.the movie adaptation still managed to surprise the audience
D.which was released last year
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