Clauses and Complex Sentences
In this lesson you will learn and be able to answer the
following questions:
·What is a dependent clause?
·What is an independent clause?
·What is a complex sentence?
Lesson created by:
Mrs. Windus
Grade 4
Scio Central School District
Scio, NY 14880
Dependent and Independent Clauses
A clause is a group of words that has BOTH a subject and a predicate (verb).
A dependent clause can NOT stand by itself. It depends on another sentence to help
it stand by itself. It will often begin with a word such as because, when, since, after,
until, although, as, unless, if, before.
An independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone. It will NOT begin with any
of the words listed above.
Independent Clauses:
1. The bus arrived on time.
2. Jason and Mary walked along the beach.
3. Pizza is my favorite weekend treat.
4. Walking to school is an option for some.
Dependent Clauses:
1. Since the bus arrived on time
2. After Jason and Mary walked along the beach
3. Although pizza is my favorite weekend treat
4. If walking to school is an option for some
Complex Sentences:
A complex sentence is made up of both an independent
clause (also called a simple sentence) AND a dependent
clause that can not stand by itself.
Examples of Complex Sentences
1. The children were not late to school since the bus arrived on time.
2. After Jason and Mary walked along the beach, they went to dinner.
3. Although pizza is my favorite weekend treat, I also like chicken wings.
4. The bus may not be so crowded if walking to school is an option for some.
Remember FANBOYS
(Coordinating Conjunction)
Create Compound Sentences...
Sentence 1
FANBOYS
Joan and Anna went to the
store ,
BUT
they forgot to buy the
cookies.
Notice that both sentences 1 and 2 have a subject and
predicate.
Use a subordinating conjunction
to create a complex sentence
Sentence 1
Subordinating
Conjunction
The children were not late to
school
SINCE
the bus arrived on time.
A
As
A
Although
A
After
W
When
W
While
U
Until
B
Because
B
Before
I
If
S
Since
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
after
although
as
as if
as long
as
as
though
becaus
e
before
even if
even
though
if
if only
in order
that
now that
once
rather
than
since
so that
than
that
though
till
unless
until
when
whenever where
whereas
wherever
while
Dependent or Independent Clause?
1. We'll go to the store after school today.
INDEPENDENT
2.
Because the snow storm dropped two feet of snow!
DEPENDENT
3.
When she went to the cafeteria for lunch.
DEPENDENT
4.
Karen can take her homework on the bus with her.
INDEPENDENT
5.
If the teacher says yes.
DEPENDENT
Work with Complex Sentences
Decide which part of the sentence is dependent and which is independent. Then drag
the box to see if you are correct.
1. While waiting for the bus to arrive, Laura thought about the homework she forgot to do.
DEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
2.
Christmas is our family's favorite time of year, although Easter is a very close second.
INDEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
3.
I couldn't believe she won since she had been sick all last week.
INDEPENDENT
4.
DEPENDENT
Jared walked to school alone because he missed the bus this morning.
INDEPENDENT
5.
If you want to move to 5th grade, you need to make sure you do your best in fourth grade.
DEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
6.
Before you leave for school each morning you should eat breakfast and brush your teeth.
DEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
7.
Katie could not wait until the end of the day when she could go home with her best friend.
INDEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
8.
After he ate an entire half gallon of ice cream, Patrick felt like he would explode!
DEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
Compound and
Complex Sentences
Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.
The musician played gracefully, and the audience listened respectfully.
COMPOUND
COMPLEX
Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.
I watched intently as the circus clowns tumbled around the ring.
COMPLEX
COMPOUND
Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.
As the boat pulled away from the pier, I knew I was about to embark on the
adventure of a lifetime.
COMPOUND
COMPLEX
Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.
My favorite food is cheesecake, but my mother won't let me have it for
breakfast.
COMPOUND
COMPLEX
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