Independent and Dependent Clauses worksheet for grammar practice.

Sure! Let’s solve this worksheet step by step.

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Key Concepts Recap:

- A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.
- An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence — it makes sense on its own.
- A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) cannot stand alone — it depends on the main clause to make full sense. It often begins with subordinating conjunctions like *because, until, as, wherever, so long as, if, whenever, unless, when*, etc.

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Now let’s go through each sentence and identify whether the underlined clause is independent or dependent.

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1. Because he ran, he was able to catch the bus.

- Underlined clause: Because he ran
- Starts with “Because” → subordinating conjunction
- Cannot stand alone — doesn’t make complete sense by itself
✔ Answer: Dependent

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2. Until the sun sets, I will stay with you.

- Underlined clause: Until the sun sets
- Starts with “Until” → subordinating conjunction
- This is a time condition; incomplete without the main clause
✔ Answer: Dependent

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3. As the lights dim, I will say good-bye.

- Underlined clause: As the lights dim
- Starts with “As” → subordinating conjunction (meaning “when”)
- Describes timing; needs the main clause to complete meaning
✔ Answer: Dependent

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4. Wherever he might go, I will follow him.

- Underlined clause: Wherever he might go
- Starts with “Wherever” → subordinating conjunction (place/condition)
- Incomplete thought on its own
✔ Answer: Dependent

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5. So long as you know, I will be waiting for you.

- Underlined clause: So long as you know
- Starts with “So long as” → subordinating conjunction (means “if” or “as long as”)
- Conditional; doesn’t make sense alone
✔ Answer: Dependent

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6. If the dress is on sale, she will buy it.

- Underlined clause: If the dress is on sale
- Starts with “If” → subordinating conjunction
- Conditional clause — depends on main clause
✔ Answer: Dependent

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7. Whenever you come to visit, make sure to bring food.

- Underlined clause: Whenever you come to visit
- Starts with “Whenever” → subordinating conjunction
- Time condition — incomplete without the main clause
✔ Answer: Dependent

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8. Unless you have the right size, don’t try it on.

- Underlined clause: Unless you have the right size
- Starts with “Unless” → subordinating conjunction (means “if not”)
- Conditional; cannot stand alone
✔ Answer: Dependent

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9. When we get snow, we will go sledding.

- Underlined clause: When we get snow
- Starts with “When” → subordinating conjunction
- Time condition — needs main clause to complete meaning
✔ Answer: Dependent

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Wait — let’s double-check #7 and #8 again because sometimes students get confused.

Actually, in #7, the underlined part is “Whenever you come to visit”, which is clearly a dependent clause.

And in #8, “Unless you have the right size” is also dependent.

But hold on — look at #10:

> 10. When we get snow, we will go sledding.

Underlined: When we get snow

Still starts with “When” → dependent.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Dependent
2. Dependent
3. Dependent
4. Dependent
5. Dependent
6. Dependent
7. Dependent
8. Dependent
9. Dependent
10. Dependent

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💡 Important Note:

In every single one of these sentences, the underlined clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (*because, until, as, wherever, so long as, if, whenever, unless, when*), which automatically makes it a dependent clause.

There are no independent clauses underlined in this worksheet — all are introductory dependent clauses that set up the main idea.

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✔ Completed Worksheet Answers:

1. Dependent
2. Dependent
3. Dependent
4. Dependent
5. Dependent
6. Dependent
7. Dependent
8. Dependent
9. Dependent
10. Dependent

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