Educational worksheet for identifying independent and dependent clauses in sentences.
Worksheet titled "Independent and Dependent Clauses" with instructions and examples, featuring a yellow bus, a hot dog with fries, and a snowman illustration.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent and Dependent (subordinate) Clauses 5 Minute English | PDF
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent and Dependent (subordinate) Clauses 5 Minute English | PDF
Let's solve the worksheet on Independent and Dependent Clauses step by step.
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- Independent Clause: A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought and has a subject and a verb.
Example: *I will go walking.* → This makes sense on its own.
- Dependent Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone. It depends on an independent clause to make sense. Often starts with subordinating conjunctions like *because, although, when, if, unless, until*, etc.
Example: *Because I can’t wait* → Doesn't make sense alone; needs the main clause.
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Now, let’s analyze each sentence:
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- Underlined: Because he ran
- "Because he ran" cannot stand alone — it explains why he caught the bus.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: Until the sun sets
- This is a time condition — it doesn't make sense alone.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: As the lights dim
- "As the lights dim" describes when the action happens — not a complete thought.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: Wherever he might go
- This is a conditional place clause — depends on the main clause.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: So long as you know
- This means "if you know" — it's a condition.
- Cannot stand alone.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: If the dress is on sale
- "If..." introduces a condition — dependent clause.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: Whenever you come to visit
- This is a time clause — dependent on the main idea.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: Unless you have the right size
- "Unless" = "if not" — this is a conditional clause.
- Cannot stand alone.
- Answer: Dependent
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- Underlined: When we get snow
- "When" introduces a time-dependent clause.
- Answer: Dependent
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Wait — this is the same as #9? Let's check.
Actually, looking again, both #9 and #10 are identical in wording?
Wait — no! Let me recheck the original list.
Looking at your image:
> 9. Unless you have the right size, don’t try it on.
> 10. When we get snow, we will go sledding.
So #10 is different.
But #9 and #10 are both starting with "When" or "Unless"? No — #9 is "Unless", #10 is "When".
So #10: When we get snow, we will go sledding.
- Underlined: When we get snow
- This is a time clause — dependent.
- Answer: Dependent
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Wait — but all of them start with subordinating conjunctions? Is there any independent clause?
Let’s double-check.
No — all underlined clauses begin with words like:
- Because
- Until
- As
- Wherever
- So long as
- If
- Whenever
- Unless
- When
All of these are subordinating conjunctions, so they introduce dependent clauses.
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| Number | Underlined Clause | Type |
|-------|-------------------|------|
| 1 | Because he ran | Dependent |
| 2 | Until the sun sets | Dependent |
| 3 | As the lights dim | Dependent |
| 4 | Wherever he might go | Dependent |
| 5 | So long as you know | Dependent |
| 6 | If the dress is on sale | Dependent |
| 7 | Whenever you come to visit | Dependent |
| 8 | Unless you have the right size | Dependent |
| 9 | Unless you have the right size | Dependent |
| 10 | When we get snow | Dependent |
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All the underlined clauses are dependent clauses because they all begin with subordinating conjunctions and do not express a complete thought on their own.
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✔ Final Answer Key:
1. Dependent
2. Dependent
3. Dependent
4. Dependent
5. Dependent
6. Dependent
7. Dependent
8. Dependent
9. Dependent
10. Dependent
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💡 Note: In real writing, the main (independent) clause comes after or before these dependent ones. But here, only the underlined part is being evaluated — and all are dependent.
Let me know if you'd like a version with explanations for each!
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🔹 Understanding the Concepts:
- Independent Clause: A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought and has a subject and a verb.
Example: *I will go walking.* → This makes sense on its own.
- Dependent Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone. It depends on an independent clause to make sense. Often starts with subordinating conjunctions like *because, although, when, if, unless, until*, etc.
Example: *Because I can’t wait* → Doesn't make sense alone; needs the main clause.
---
Now, let’s analyze each sentence:
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1. Because he ran, he was able to catch the bus.
- Underlined: Because he ran
- "Because he ran" cannot stand alone — it explains why he caught the bus.
- Answer: Dependent
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2. Until the sun sets, I will stay with you.
- Underlined: Until the sun sets
- This is a time condition — it doesn't make sense alone.
- Answer: Dependent
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3. As the lights dim, I will say good-bye.
- Underlined: As the lights dim
- "As the lights dim" describes when the action happens — not a complete thought.
- Answer: Dependent
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4. Wherever he might go, I will follow him.
- Underlined: Wherever he might go
- This is a conditional place clause — depends on the main clause.
- Answer: Dependent
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5. So long as you know, I will be waiting for you.
- Underlined: So long as you know
- This means "if you know" — it's a condition.
- Cannot stand alone.
- Answer: Dependent
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6. If the dress is on sale, she will buy it.
- Underlined: If the dress is on sale
- "If..." introduces a condition — dependent clause.
- Answer: Dependent
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7. Whenever you come to visit, make sure to bring food.
- Underlined: Whenever you come to visit
- This is a time clause — dependent on the main idea.
- Answer: Dependent
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8. Unless you have the right size, don’t try it on.
- Underlined: Unless you have the right size
- "Unless" = "if not" — this is a conditional clause.
- Cannot stand alone.
- Answer: Dependent
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9. When we get snow, we will go sledding.
- Underlined: When we get snow
- "When" introduces a time-dependent clause.
- Answer: Dependent
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10. When we get snow, we will go sledding.
Wait — this is the same as #9? Let's check.
Actually, looking again, both #9 and #10 are identical in wording?
Wait — no! Let me recheck the original list.
Looking at your image:
> 9. Unless you have the right size, don’t try it on.
> 10. When we get snow, we will go sledding.
So #10 is different.
But #9 and #10 are both starting with "When" or "Unless"? No — #9 is "Unless", #10 is "When".
So #10: When we get snow, we will go sledding.
- Underlined: When we get snow
- This is a time clause — dependent.
- Answer: Dependent
---
Wait — but all of them start with subordinating conjunctions? Is there any independent clause?
Let’s double-check.
No — all underlined clauses begin with words like:
- Because
- Until
- As
- Wherever
- So long as
- If
- Whenever
- Unless
- When
All of these are subordinating conjunctions, so they introduce dependent clauses.
---
✔ Final Answers:
| Number | Underlined Clause | Type |
|-------|-------------------|------|
| 1 | Because he ran | Dependent |
| 2 | Until the sun sets | Dependent |
| 3 | As the lights dim | Dependent |
| 4 | Wherever he might go | Dependent |
| 5 | So long as you know | Dependent |
| 6 | If the dress is on sale | Dependent |
| 7 | Whenever you come to visit | Dependent |
| 8 | Unless you have the right size | Dependent |
| 9 | Unless you have the right size | Dependent |
| 10 | When we get snow | Dependent |
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📌 Conclusion:
All the underlined clauses are dependent clauses because they all begin with subordinating conjunctions and do not express a complete thought on their own.
---
✔ Final Answer Key:
1. Dependent
2. Dependent
3. Dependent
4. Dependent
5. Dependent
6. Dependent
7. Dependent
8. Dependent
9. Dependent
10. Dependent
---
💡 Note: In real writing, the main (independent) clause comes after or before these dependent ones. But here, only the underlined part is being evaluated — and all are dependent.
Let me know if you'd like a version with explanations for each!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of independent vs dependent clause worksheet.
