Clauses Worksheets | Dependent and Independent Clauses Worksheet - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve this worksheet.

We are told:
- An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence — it makes sense by itself.
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone — it needs the independent clause to make full sense. It often starts with words like *because, until, as, wherever, so long as, how, if, whenever, unless, when*, etc.

Directions:
→ Underline the independent clause once.
→ Underline the dependent clause twice.

But since we’re writing here (not on paper), I’ll show you which part is which using labels:

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Example A:
*Because I can’t wait, I will go walking.*
→ Dependent clause (twice): *Because I can’t wait*
→ Independent clause (once): *I will go walking*

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Now let’s do each sentence:

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1. Because he ran, he was able to catch the bus.
→ Dependent: *Because he ran*
→ Independent: *he was able to catch the bus*

2. Until the sun sets, I will stay with you.
→ Dependent: *Until the sun sets*
→ Independent: *I will stay with you*

3. As the lights dim, I will say good-bye.
→ Dependent: *As the lights dim*
→ Independent: *I will say good-bye*

4. Wherever he might go, I will follow him.
→ Dependent: *Wherever he might go*
→ Independent: *I will follow him*

5. So long as you know, I will be waiting for you.
→ Dependent: *So long as you know*
→ Independent: *I will be waiting for you*

6. How he got elected, shows his determination.
Wait — this one is tricky. Let’s look closely.

Actually, “How he got elected” is the subject of the sentence — it’s a noun clause acting as the subject. The verb is “shows”. So:

→ Dependent (noun clause): *How he got elected*
→ Independent: *shows his determination* ← BUT wait! That’s not a full independent clause because “shows his determination” has no subject? Actually, in this case, the whole thing is structured differently.

Hold on — let’s re-analyze #6.

The sentence is: “How he got elected, shows his determination.”

This is actually grammatically awkward or incorrect punctuation. Normally, you wouldn’t put a comma there. But assuming it’s meant to be read as:

> [How he got elected] shows his determination.

Then:
- “How he got elected” = dependent clause (acting as subject)
- “shows his determination” = predicate → but that’s not an independent clause by itself.

Actually, in standard grammar teaching at this level, they may consider the entire main verb phrase as part of the independent clause even if the subject is a clause.

Better way: Think of the independent clause as the part that could stand alone IF you replaced the dependent clause with a pronoun.

Try replacing “How he got elected” with “It”:

→ “It shows his determination.” → That’s a complete sentence!

So:
→ Dependent clause: *How he got elected*
→ Independent clause: *shows his determination* — but again, that’s not standalone.

Actually, perhaps the intended answer is:

Independent clause: *shows his determination* — but that doesn’t work.

Wait — maybe the sentence should be parsed as:

Subject: *How he got elected* (dependent clause)
Verb + object: *shows his determination* → together, they form the independent clause? No — that’s not right either.

Let me check common textbook treatment.

In many middle school worksheets, for sentences like:

> What she said surprised everyone.

They label:
- Dependent: *What she said*
- Independent: *surprised everyone*

Even though “surprised everyone” isn’t a full sentence without the subject, they treat the verb+object as the independent clause when the subject is a clause.

Alternatively, sometimes they consider the whole thing after the comma as independent — but here there’s a comma after “elected”, which suggests separation.

Looking back at Example A: They separated the two clauses clearly with a comma.

In #6, the comma is between “elected” and “shows”, so likely:

→ Dependent: *How he got elected*
→ Independent: *shows his determination*

Even though “shows his determination” lacks a subject, in context, it’s understood that the subject is the preceding clause. For worksheet purposes, we’ll go with that.

BUT — actually, let’s think again. Maybe the independent clause is the whole thing minus the subordinating conjunction? No.

Another approach: Find the main verb of the whole sentence. In #6, the main verb is “shows”. The subject is “How he got elected”. So the independent clause must include the main verb and its complements — but the subject is embedded in a dependent clause.

This is confusing for students. Perhaps the worksheet expects:

For #6:
Dependent: *How he got elected*
Independent: *shows his determination*

I’ll go with that, as it matches the pattern of other sentences where the second part is the main action.

Actually, let’s compare to #9: “Unless you have the right size, don’t try it on.”

Here, “don’t try it on” is imperative — it’s an independent clause (subject “you” is implied).

Similarly, in #6, “shows his determination” — who shows? The clause “how he got elected” is what shows. So technically, the independent clause is the entire predicate starting from “shows”.

To avoid overcomplicating, and based on typical 6th–8th grade expectations, I’ll label:

6. How he got elected, shows his determination.
→ Dependent: *How he got elected*
→ Independent: *shows his determination*

*(Note: Some teachers might argue this is poorly punctuated, but for the worksheet, we follow the structure.)*

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7. If the dress is on sale, she will buy it.
→ Dependent: *If the dress is on sale*
→ Independent: *she will buy it*

8. Whenever you come to visit, make sure to bring food.
→ Dependent: *Whenever you come to visit*
→ Independent: *make sure to bring food* (imperative — subject “you” is implied)

9. Unless you have the right size, don’t try it on.
→ Dependent: *Unless you have the right size*
→ Independent: *don’t try it on* (again, imperative)

10. When we get snow, we will go sledding.
→ Dependent: *When we get snow*
→ Independent: *we will go sledding*

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Now, compiling all answers clearly:

Final Answer:

1. Dependent: Because he ran | Independent: he was able to catch the bus
2. Dependent: Until the sun sets | Independent: I will stay with you
3. Dependent: As the lights dim | Independent: I will say good-bye
4. Dependent: Wherever he might go | Independent: I will follow him
5. Dependent: So long as you know | Independent: I will be waiting for you
6. Dependent: How he got elected | Independent: shows his determination
7. Dependent: If the dress is on sale | Independent: she will buy it
8. Dependent: Whenever you come to visit | Independent: make sure to bring food
9. Dependent: Unless you have the right size | Independent: don’t try it on
10. Dependent: When we get snow | Independent: we will go sledding