English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Identify dependent and independent clauses
Identify dependent and independent clauses
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define independent and dependent clauses.
Differentiate between an independent clause and a dependent clause based on its ability to stand alone as a complete thought.
Identify the subject and verb in both independent and dependent clauses.
Recognize subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns that signal the start of a dependent clause.
Analyze sentences from literature to locate and label independent and dependent clauses.
Explain how the combination of clauses creates different sentence structures.
Use knowledge of clauses to vary sentence structure in their own analytical writing.
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ClauseA group of words containing both a subject and a verb. It is the fundamental building block of a sentence.the student reads
Independent Clause (Main Clause)A clause that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a complete sentence.The protagonist faced a difficult choice.
Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)A clause that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be attached to an independent clause.because the protagonist faced a difficult choice
Subordinating ConjunctionA word that introduces a dependent clause and connects it to an independent clause. Common examples include 'because', 'since', 'although', '...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Stand-Alone' Test
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. A dependent clause cannot.
To determine if a clause is independent, read it by itself. If it makes sense and expresses a complete thought, it's independent. If it leaves you asking 'what happened?' or 'so what?', it's dependent.
The 'Signal Word' Formula
Dependent Clause = Subordinating Conjunction/Relative Pronoun + Subject + Verb
Look for signal words like 'because', 'if', 'when', 'who', 'which', or 'that' at the beginning of a clause. Their presence almost always indicates a dependent clause.
Punctuation Rule for Introductory Clauses
When a dependent clause comes *before* an...
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Challenging
To improve sentence variety in an analytical essay, how can these two ideas be best combined into one complex sentence? (1) 'The poet uses stark imagery.' (2) 'The imagery emphasizes the theme of loss.'
A.The stark imagery that the poet uses emphasizes the theme of loss.
B.The poet uses stark imagery, and this imagery emphasizes the theme of loss.
C.Using stark imagery, the theme of loss is emphasized by the poet.
D.The poet uses stark imagery; therefore, the theme of loss is emphasized.
Challenging
In rhetorical analysis, which sentence most effectively uses a dependent clause to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between a character's motivation and action?
A.The character, who was deeply ambitious, betrayed his friend.
B.While he was deeply ambitious, the character betrayed his friend.
C.Because he was deeply ambitious, the character betrayed his friend.
D.The character betrayed his friend, and he was deeply ambitious.
Challenging
Analyze the structure of the sentence: 'He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.' Which statement is the most accurate description?
A.It is a simple sentence with a long prepositional phrase.
B.The subject of the independent clause is the entire dependent clause 'who is not courageous enough to take risks'.
C.It is a compound sentence with an implied conjunction.
D.The independent clause is 'He will accomplish nothing in life,' and the dependent clause is 'who is not courageous enough to take risks'.
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