Thursday, December 4, 2014

Language Arts:

You should all remember this from about fourth grade! 

An independent clause is a sentence that can stand by itself. It contains a subject, predicate, and it expresses a complete thought.

Example: The class is focused.

A dependent (AKA a subordinate) clause cannot stand by itself. A dependent clause gives an independent clause more information, but the dependent clause does not make sense on its own.

Example: And well behaved.

If you put the two together (independent and dependent) you get the following:

The class is focused and well behaved. 

(This is also an example of a complex sentence. 

THE FOUR TYPES OF SENTENCES

Simple

Compound

Complex

Compound-Complex

Simple sentences have just one independent clause.

Compound sentences have two independent clauses that are joined by a conjunction or a semi-colon.

Complex sentences have one independent and at least one dependent clause.

Compound-Complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

WATCH THIS INFORMATIVE YOUTUBE VIDEO TO HELP YOU WITH INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES!

Now, check your knowledge and take this Independent or Dependent Clause Quiz!