Educational worksheet for identifying independent and dependent clauses in English grammar.
A worksheet titled "Finding Independent and Dependent Clauses Worksheet" with instructions and examples for identifying independent and dependent clauses in sentences.
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Step-by-step solution for: Finding Independent and Dependent Clauses Worksheet | Dependent ...
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Finding Independent and Dependent Clauses Worksheet | Dependent ...
Let's solve the worksheet step by step, following the instructions carefully. We'll identify and underline the independent clauses in the first set of sentences (1–6) and the dependent clauses in the second set (7–10).
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An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence — it has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
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1. When my father arrives, he will give the directions.
- Dependent clause: *When my father arrives* (starts with subordinating conjunction "When", cannot stand alone)
- Independent clause: he will give the directions ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: he will give the directions
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2. When my mother shows, she will bring the food.
- Dependent: *When my mother shows*
- Independent: she will bring the food ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: she will bring the food
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3. While the flowers bloom, I will plant more trees.
- Dependent: *While the flowers bloom*
- Independent: I will plant more trees ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: I will plant more trees
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4. No matter how you look at it, we are in good hands.
- Dependent: *No matter how you look at it* (this is a dependent adverbial phrase/clause)
- Independent: we are in good hands ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: we are in good hands
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5. Unless you have the right size, do not try on the shoe.
- Dependent: *Unless you have the right size*
- Independent: do not try on the shoe ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: do not try on the shoe
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6. Before the food gets cold, go sit at the table.
- Dependent: *Before the food gets cold*
- Independent: go sit at the table ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: go sit at the table
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A dependent clause cannot stand alone; it starts with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun and needs an independent clause to make sense.
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7. Since I don’t have money, I will not buy anything.
- Dependent clause: Since I don’t have money ✔ (starts with "Since")
- Independent: *I will not buy anything*
👉 Answer: Underline: Since I don’t have money
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8. Until the sun sets, sit by the lake.
- Dependent: Until the sun sets ✔ (starts with "Until")
- Independent: *sit by the lake*
👉 Answer: Underline: Until the sun sets
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9. Because I can’t wait for the bus, I will walk to school.
- Dependent: Because I can’t wait for the bus ✔ (starts with "Because")
- Independent: *I will walk to school*
👉 Answer: Underline: Because I can’t wait for the bus
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10. When the president arrives, he will give a speech.
- Dependent: When the president arrives ✔ (starts with "When")
- Independent: *he will give a speech*
👉 Answer: Underline: When the president arrives
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#### Part 1: Underline the independent clause
1. he will give the directions
2. she will bring the food
3. I will plant more trees
4. we are in good hands
5. do not try on the shoe
6. go sit at the table
#### Part 2: Underline the dependent clause
7. Since I don’t have money
8. Until the sun sets
9. Because I can’t wait for the bus
10. When the president arrives
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- Independent clauses express complete thoughts and can be standalone sentences.
- Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions like *when, while, since, unless, before, because*, etc., and need a main clause to make sense.
- Always look for the subject + verb and whether the idea is complete.
This worksheet helps students distinguish between clauses that can stand alone and those that depend on others — a key skill in grammar and sentence structure!
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🔹 Part 1: Underline the independent clause in each sentence
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence — it has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
---
1. When my father arrives, he will give the directions.
- Dependent clause: *When my father arrives* (starts with subordinating conjunction "When", cannot stand alone)
- Independent clause: he will give the directions ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: he will give the directions
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2. When my mother shows, she will bring the food.
- Dependent: *When my mother shows*
- Independent: she will bring the food ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: she will bring the food
---
3. While the flowers bloom, I will plant more trees.
- Dependent: *While the flowers bloom*
- Independent: I will plant more trees ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: I will plant more trees
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4. No matter how you look at it, we are in good hands.
- Dependent: *No matter how you look at it* (this is a dependent adverbial phrase/clause)
- Independent: we are in good hands ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: we are in good hands
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5. Unless you have the right size, do not try on the shoe.
- Dependent: *Unless you have the right size*
- Independent: do not try on the shoe ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: do not try on the shoe
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6. Before the food gets cold, go sit at the table.
- Dependent: *Before the food gets cold*
- Independent: go sit at the table ✔
👉 Answer: Underline: go sit at the table
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🔹 Part 2: Underline the dependent clause in each sentence
A dependent clause cannot stand alone; it starts with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun and needs an independent clause to make sense.
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7. Since I don’t have money, I will not buy anything.
- Dependent clause: Since I don’t have money ✔ (starts with "Since")
- Independent: *I will not buy anything*
👉 Answer: Underline: Since I don’t have money
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8. Until the sun sets, sit by the lake.
- Dependent: Until the sun sets ✔ (starts with "Until")
- Independent: *sit by the lake*
👉 Answer: Underline: Until the sun sets
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9. Because I can’t wait for the bus, I will walk to school.
- Dependent: Because I can’t wait for the bus ✔ (starts with "Because")
- Independent: *I will walk to school*
👉 Answer: Underline: Because I can’t wait for the bus
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10. When the president arrives, he will give a speech.
- Dependent: When the president arrives ✔ (starts with "When")
- Independent: *he will give a speech*
👉 Answer: Underline: When the president arrives
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✔ Final Answers:
#### Part 1: Underline the independent clause
1. he will give the directions
2. she will bring the food
3. I will plant more trees
4. we are in good hands
5. do not try on the shoe
6. go sit at the table
#### Part 2: Underline the dependent clause
7. Since I don’t have money
8. Until the sun sets
9. Because I can’t wait for the bus
10. When the president arrives
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📝 Explanation Summary:
- Independent clauses express complete thoughts and can be standalone sentences.
- Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions like *when, while, since, unless, before, because*, etc., and need a main clause to make sense.
- Always look for the subject + verb and whether the idea is complete.
This worksheet helps students distinguish between clauses that can stand alone and those that depend on others — a key skill in grammar and sentence structure!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of identifying clauses worksheet.