Independent vs Dependent Clauses Quiz

1. What is an independent clause?

A group of words with no verb

A group of words that begins with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone

A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a sentence

A phrase with only a verb

An independent clause has a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought on its own.

Explanation

An independent clause has a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought on its own.

2. What is a dependent clause?

A group of words that can always stand alone

A group of words with a subject and verb that needs more information to be complete

A group of words with no subject

A single verb with no other words

A dependent clause has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.

Explanation

A dependent clause has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.

3. A dependent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

True

False

A dependent clause cannot stand alone because its meaning feels unfinished.

Explanation

A dependent clause cannot stand alone because its meaning feels unfinished.

4. Words like although, because, when, and if can turn a clause into a dependent clause.

True

False

These are subordinating conjunctions, and they make the clause rely on another clause to be complete.

Explanation

These are subordinating conjunctions, and they make the clause rely on another clause to be complete.

5. Which of the following are dependent clauses?

Although it was raining

Because I was late

We went outside

She finished her homework

When the bell rang

A, B, and E begin with subordinating conjunctions and do not express a complete thought.

Explanation

A, B, and E begin with subordinating conjunctions and do not express a complete thought.

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6. Which of the following are independent clauses?

He forgot his backpack

If he forgot his backpack

The movie was exciting

Although the movie was exciting

They walked home

A, C, and E each have a subject and verb and can stand alone as sentences.

Explanation

A, C, and E each have a subject and verb and can stand alone as sentences.

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7. A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence is called an __________ clause.

An independent clause can stand alone because it expresses a complete thought.

Explanation

An independent clause can stand alone because it expresses a complete thought.

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8. A clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone is called a __________ clause.

A dependent clause depends on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

Explanation

A dependent clause depends on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

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9. What type of clause is 'Although it was raining'?

Independent clause

Dependent clause

Phrase

Simple sentence

It starts with 'Although' and leaves the idea unfinished, so it is a dependent clause.

Explanation

It starts with 'Although' and leaves the idea unfinished, so it is a dependent clause.

10. What type of clause is 'We went outside.'?

Independent clause

Dependent clause

Phrase

Fragment

It has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought, so it is independent.

Explanation

It has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought, so it is independent.

11. The clause 'Although it was raining' cannot stand alone and needs another clause to be complete.

True

False

It begins with 'Although' and expects another idea to finish the thought.

Explanation

It begins with 'Although' and expects another idea to finish the thought.

12. In the sentence 'Although it was raining, we went outside,' the word 'Although' is a __________ conjunction.

Words like 'Although' are subordinating conjunctions that introduce dependent clauses.

Explanation

Words like 'Although' are subordinating conjunctions that introduce dependent clauses.

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13. Which words are subordinating conjunctions that often signal a dependent clause?

Because

And

Although

When

But

Because, although, and when commonly introduce dependent clauses.

Explanation

Because, although, and when commonly introduce dependent clauses.

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14. In the sentence 'Because I was tired, I went to bed early,' which part is the independent clause?

Because I was tired

I went to bed early

Because I went to bed early

Because I was tired, I went

‘I went to bed early’ can stand alone as a complete sentence, so it is the independent clause.

Explanation

‘I went to bed early’ can stand alone as a complete sentence, so it is the independent clause.

15. Which revision correctly combines a dependent clause and an independent clause?

Although it was raining. We went outside.

Although it was raining we went outside.

Although it was raining, we went outside.

It was raining although, we went outside.

The comma after the dependent clause plus the independent clause makes a correct complex sentence.

Explanation

The comma after the dependent clause plus the independent clause makes a correct complex sentence.

16. A complex sentence usually has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

True

False

By definition, a complex sentence combines an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.

Explanation

By definition, a complex sentence combines an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.

17. Which statements correctly describe a dependent clause?

It has a subject and a verb.

It always expresses a complete thought.

It often starts with a word like although, because, or when.

It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

It never needs another clause.

A dependent clause has a subject and verb, often starts with a subordinating conjunction, and cannot stand alone.

Explanation

A dependent clause has a subject and verb, often starts with a subordinating conjunction, and cannot stand alone.

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18. An independent clause expresses a __________ thought.

Independent clauses are complete thoughts that make sense on their own.

Explanation

Independent clauses are complete thoughts that make sense on their own.

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19. Which choice correctly labels the clauses in 'When the bell rang, the students left the classroom'?

‘When the bell rang’ is independent; ‘the students left the classroom’ is dependent.

Both clauses are independent.

Both clauses are dependent.

‘When the bell rang’ is dependent; ‘the students left the classroom’ is independent.

The part with 'When' is dependent, and 'the students left the classroom' is a complete independent clause.

Explanation

The part with 'When' is dependent, and 'the students left the classroom' is a complete independent clause.

20. Which sentences correctly combine independent and dependent clauses?

Because it was cold we wore our jackets.

Because it was cold, we wore our jackets.

We wore our jackets because it was cold.

Although it was late. We kept talking.

Although it was late, we kept talking.

B, C, and E pair a dependent clause with an independent clause to make complete sentences.

Explanation

B, C, and E pair a dependent clause with an independent clause to make complete sentences.

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The Difference: Independent vs Dependent Clauses Quiz