IDENTIFYING DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
In this module, you will learn to identify
 Dependent clauses
 Independent clauses.
Introduction
"Identifying Fragments and Clauses" discusses the difference between fragments and
clauses. In this module, we'll concentrate on clauses. We'll investigate what makes a
clause dependent and what makes a clause independent. In other words, we'll determine
what is required to make a clause a complete thought as opposed to an incomplete
thought. But first, what do we mean by dependent/independent clauses?
An independent clause is a complete thought.
A dependent clause is an incomplete thought.
Clauses
Most sentence punctuation rules are based on the absence, the presence, and the
location of the two types of clauses: independent and dependent. Obviously, then, we
can't start punctuating unless we can identify independent and dependent clauses.
Sentences
A sentence, in order to be a sentence, must contain at least one complete thought. Or we
can say that a sentence must contain at least one independent clause. Independent
clauses come in many forms. A few of their forms are listed below:
List:
 the demonstrators waited behind the barricades
 for the demonstrators waited behind the barricades
 none the less, the demonstrators waited behind the barricades
 then the demonstrators waited behind the barricades
 moreover, the demonstrators waited behind the barricades
 and the demonstrators waited behind the barricades
 as a matter of fact, the demonstrators waited behind the barricades.
The independent clause can come in so many forms that it is impossible to memorize all of
them. We will, therefore, concentrate on the form of the dependent clause. Dependent
clauses, because they assume fewer forms, are easier to identify than are independent
clauses. So we'll work on this premise.
Independence/Completeness
We know that a clause (any clause) must contain a subject and a verb. We mentioned
earlier that every sentence must contain a complete thought. Logically, then, if you have a
complete thought, that thought is independent. In other words, that particular clause can
"stand on its own." If a thought or clause can stand on its own, we can give that clause a
capital letter and a period--make it a sentence.
However, if a clause cannot stand on its own, that clause is an incomplete thought--a
dependent clause. Thus, a dependent clause cannot become a sentence by itself. The
dependent clause depends on an independent clause in order to be part of a sentence.
So the thing to do is to learn a procedure for identifying dependent and independent
clauses.
Procedure
Determine whether the following groups of words are clauses or fragments. Then, if the
group is a clause, determine whether it is dependent or independent.
Let's work through a few groups of words. I'll explain the procedure in detail the first time
through even though the detail may amount to overkill at this stage of the program.
Group:
being all alone in the house
Identify the verb.
We identify the participle "being."
We find no helping verbs.
"Being" cannot be a verb unless helping verbs are present.
We identify no other words that can be verbs. So the group of words "being all alone in the
house" is a fragment.
Group:
since the Martins had built their own house
We identify the verb "had built."
We identify Martins as the subject.
We have a subject and a verb, so we have a clause.
Dependent or independent?
Incomplete or complete thought?
Repeat the group of words.
Ask yourself one or all of the following questions:
Questions:
Can I say this to someone and not have the statement questioned?
Can this group of words stand by itself?
Is the statement a complete thought?
Is the reader/listener satisfied with the statement?
If you arrived at NO to any of the above questions, the group is a dependent clause.
If you arrived at YES to any of the above questions, the group is an independent clause.
The group of words "since the Martins had built their own house" is a dependent clause
because it cannot stand by itself.
Let's try another but with a condensed procedure.
Group:
the president delivered a speech
We identify "president" as the subject and "delivered" as the verb. We have a subject and
a verb, so we have a clause.
Dependent or Independent Clause?
Repeat the group of words "the president delivered a speech." Ask yourself: Can this
group of words stand by itself?
The group of words "the president delivered a speech" is an independent clause because
it can stand by itself.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Before continuing with the groups of words, we need to establish that
A clause is independent unless it starts
with a subordinating conjunction.
Here is a list of the more common subordinating conjunctions. Memorize them.
List:
After, all of which, although, as, as if, as long as, at which, because, before, even, even if,
even though, ever since;
how, if, in order that, since, so as, so that, than, that, though, till, unless, until, what,
whatever, when, whenever;
where, wherever, whether, which, whichever, while, who, whoever, whom, whomever,
whose, whosoever, why.
Group:
moreover, we heard from the organizers
We identify "heard" as the verb and "we" as the subject. We have a subject and a verb, so
we have a clause.
Does the clause start with a subordinating conjunction?
No. We have no subordinating conjunction. We have some sort of conjunction at the
beginning, but the conjunction is not subordinating. Check your list if you don't believe me.
As long as we have a clause which does not start with a subordinating conjunction, that
clause is independent. Thus, the group of words "moreover, we heard from the organizers"
is an independent clause. We have a complete thought, so we can make the clause a
sentence.
Let's have a closer look at what a subordinating conjunction does to a clause. We saw in
the last group of words that a clause is independent as long as the clause does not start
with a subordinating conjunction. Let's look at a few examples.
Clause:
we entered the classroom
We have a subject and a verb, so we have a clause. According to all our criteria, the
clause is an independent clause.
But let's see what happens when we place a subordinating conjunction in front of the
clause.
Clause:
because we entered the classroom
We have a subject and a verb, so we have a clause. But by placing a subordinating
conjunction at the head of the clause, we have changed an independent clause into a
dependent clause.
Examples:
Observe what a subordinating conjunction can do to the independent clause below.
Independent clause:
"the manager thought the project was overrated"
Add a subordinating conjunction.
"although the manager thought the project was overrated"
We destroy the independent clause and create a dependent clause.
So there is no secret about it: the addition of a subordinating conjunction to an otherwise
independent clause results in a dependent clause. Conversely, then, a dependent clause
can be restored to independence by the removal of the subordinating conjunction.
Let's have a look at a few examples, 10 to be exact. Your list of subordinating conjunctions
will prove to be invaluable here if you haven't already memorized the list. The answers to
this short quiz are included at the end of this instructional lesson.
Identify the following groups of words as fragment, independent clause, or dependent
clause.
1. the picnic being planned for some time now
2. therefore, we made the sandwiches
3. since we had no peanut butter left
4. nevertheless, Dad knew the way
5. even though Mother kept reminding him
6. and the park warden reminded us of the bear problem
7. for the night was darker than ever
8. then the rain began
9. the river flooding to a dangerous level
10. finally, we saw the mother bear
I'm confident you appreciate the important part subordinating conjunctions play in the
identification of clauses.
Caution:
A question mark can turn a WH-Word dependent clause into an independent clause.
For example,
who typed the letter
is a dependent clause. But
who typed the letter?
is an independent clause.
Answers:
1, fragment; 2, independent; 3, dependent; 4, independent; 5, dependent; 6, independent;
7, independent; 8, independent; 9, fragment; 10, independent.
Exercises
Select the answer that correctly identifies the group of words. The answers appear after
the last question.
1. To see the sun setting and the sky darkening.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
2. Even though it rained constantly in Victoria.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
3. However, we still had time to visit Butchart Gardens.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
4. Finished packing right after dinner.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
5. Because we knew how to handle the boat in rough weather.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
6. Furthermore, the weather improved along with our disposition.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
7. Believing ourselves lost in the murky fog.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
8. Since our friends had not yet arrived.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
9. Although we knew all the people there.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
10. Even though we saw the sun setting and the sky darkening.
A. Independent
B. Dependent
C. Fragment
Answers
1, C. 2, B. 3, A. 4, C. 5, B. 6, A. 7, C. 8, B. 9, B. 10, B.