Independent clauses
Click on the independent clause.
She studied hard even though she didn’t want to.
- She studied hard
- even though she didn’t want to.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- She studied hard
Click on the independent clause.
Because I had seen the article online, I already knew what had happened.
- Because I had seen the article online,
- I already knew what had happened.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- I already knew what had happened.
Click on the independent clause.
Even though the process is difficult, it is possible to pass the driving test.
- Even though the process is difficult,
- it is possible to pass the driving test.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- it is possible to pass the driving test.
Click on the independent clause.
Whenever there is a problem, the manager should be called.
- Whenever there is a problem,
- the manager should be called.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- the manager should be called.
Click on the independent clause.
The presentation should be held tomorrow if there are enough students.
- The presentation should be held tomorrow
- if there are enough students.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- The presentation should be held tomorrow
Click on the independent clause.
I missed the bus because I woke up late.
- I missed the bus
- because I woke up late.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- I missed the bus
Click on the independent clause.
After participating in the study, the students went back to class.
- After participating in the study,
- the students went back to class.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- the students went back to class.
Click on the independent clause.
The teacher will answer the question as soon as you ask it.
- The teacher will answer the question
- as soon as you ask it.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- The teacher will answer the question
Click on the independent clause.
Although there are some small problems, the newly-designed computer works.
- Although there are some small problems,
- the newly-designed computer works.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- the newly-designed computer works.
Click on the independent clause.
Proof reading the essay, the student discovered many mistakes.
- Proof reading the essay,
- the student discovered many mistakes.
Great! This is the independent clause. It can stand alone and makes sense without the other part of the sentence.
This is the dependent clause. It needs the other part of the sentence – the independent clause – in order to make sense.
- the student discovered many mistakes.
Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.