Name: __________________
Grammar Practice: Dependent Markers, Clauses, and Phrases
Independent Clause: expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.
Dependent Clause: has a subject and a verb. It expresses only part of a thought and cannot
stand alone.
Example:
As I ran through the rain, I realized my new shoes were getting muddy.
(DC)
(IC)
I = subject
Ran = verb
As = dependent marker (DM)
Phrase: has a subject or a verb. It never has both.
Example:
Of all the celebrities, Madonna is the most annoying entertainer.
(P)
(IC)
Celebrities = subject.
There is no verb.
Example:
Running away, I couldn’t believe what I just said.
(P)
(IC)
Running = verb.
There is no subject.
Dependent Markers (Dependent Clause and Phrase) Practice:
Read the following sentences. If the sentence is correct, mark a C next to it. If it is incorrect, make
the necessary adjustments. When it applies, underline the DEPEDENDENT CLAUSE OR PHRASE,
and indicate which it is by marking either DC or P underneath (see examples above). Mistakes
may also include errors with coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs.
Examples:
On Saturday night, Susan baked cookies with her mother.
(P)
When Jake got up on Saturday, he went for a run before going out to lunch.
(DC)
1. After a cold winter my family’s lake house had a pipe burst. ____
2. Because my parents just refurnished it they’re pretty upset about the damage. ____
3. When the water company called to say, the pipe had burst, my dad jumped right in the car and
drove to West Virginia. ____
4. Our lake house is in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Because it’s about 30 minutes from Morgantown
and WVU my parents would stay there when they visited me at school. ____
5. Although he got there just three hours after, the call the house was already flooded. ____
6. In order to salvage the house, contractors had to tear out the brand new wood floors, the panel
walls, the kitchen cabinets, and the entire downstairs bathroom. ____
7. Even though it’s a pain I told my parents they should be excited. They’re going to get insurance
money and now they can redecorate it again! ____
8. Since they love watching HGTV, I figure this would be a project that they will enjoy doing. ____
9. I was surprised when my dad told me that the pipe busted two weeks ago, and nobody caught it
until now. ____
10. As if they don’t already have enough to do, my parents are going to meet with contractors this
weekend, however they are a little excited to start exploring their options. ____