Independent and Dependent Clauses worksheet featuring exercises to identify clause types and match sentences.

Here are the answers to your worksheet.

Part 1: Independent and Dependent Clauses

How to tell the difference:
* Independent Clause: It is a complete sentence. It has a subject and a verb, and it makes sense all by itself. (Example: *I like pizza.*)
* Dependent Clause: It has a subject and a verb, but it starts with a "trigger word" (like *because, although, since, before*) that makes it feel unfinished. It needs more information to make sense. (Example: *Because I was hungry...*)

The Answers:

1. Although I asked him → dependent
*(Starts with "Although," so it feels incomplete.)*
2. Her opinion is silly → independent
*(This is a complete thought.)*
3. Before our last class → dependent
*(Starts with "Before." Also, there is no action/verb happening here, just a time phrase.)*
4. Until I see it for myself → dependent
*(Starts with "Until.")*
5. I got a good job → independent
*(Complete thought.)*
6. Because I have a cold → dependent
*(Starts with "Because.")*
7. After I have my lunch → dependent
*(Starts with "After.")*
8. Antonio won the bet → independent
*(Complete thought.)*
9. The cake is done → independent
*(Complete thought.)*
10. Since we asked him → dependent
*(Starts with "Since.")*
11. I realized you were right → independent
*(Complete thought.)*

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Part 2: Matching Clauses

We need to match the first part (Column A) with the ending that makes the most sense logically (Column B).

1. Lamar eats carrots matches with when he wants to have a snack.
*(Carrots are a food people eat as a snack.)*
2. Cassidy likes to sew matches with because it is relaxing.
*(Sewing is an activity; relaxing explains why she likes it.)*
3. Clint made good money matches with so she bought a house.
*(Note: There is a typo in the worksheet! Column A says "Clint" [he] but Column B says "she." However, making money leads to buying things, so this is the correct logical pair.)*
4. Ken is a bully matches with so he has no friends.
*(Being mean usually results in losing friends.)*
5. My mother is a nurse matches with since she likes helping people.
*(Nursing is a job where you help people.)*

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Final Answer:

Part 1: Identify the Clause
1. dependent
2. independent
3. dependent
4. dependent
5. independent
6. dependent
7. dependent
8. independent
9. independent
10. dependent
11. independent

Part 2: Matching
1. Lamar eats carrots — when he wants to have a snack
2. Cassidy likes to sew — because it is relaxing
3. Clint made good money — so she bought a house
4. Ken is a bully — so he has no friends
5. My mother is a nurse — since she likes helping people