#116 - Independent and Dependent Clauses - English Grammar

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. A clause can be a complete or incomplete thought. A complete thought is called an "independent clause". Independent clauses are complete sentences. An incomplete thought is called a "dependent clause". Dependent clauses are not complete sentences.

Independent Clauses

An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It is independent and can stand alone as a complete sentence.

The kids walk to school.
Sean lives in a house.
The dog sees a bone.
Maria speaks Spanish.
The children play in the park.

Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but it does not express a complete thought. It is dependent on a main clause and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Dependent clauses start with a subordinate conjunction.

When kids walk to school
Where Sean lives
Because the dog sees a bone
But Maria speaks Spanish
As the children play in the park