Clauses and Complex Sentences

In this lesson you will learn and be able to answer the following questions:

·What is a dependent clause?·What is an independent clause?·What is a complex sentence?

Lesson created by:Mrs. WindusGrade 4Scio Central School DistrictScio, NY 14880

Dependent and Independent Clauses

A clause is a group of words that has BOTH a subject and a predicate (verb).

A dependent clause can NOT stand by itself. It depends on another sentence to help it stand by itself. It will often begin with a word such as because, when, since, after, until, although, as, unless, if, before.

An independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone. It will NOT begin with any of the words listed above.

Independent Clauses:

1. The bus arrived on time.

2. Jason and Mary walked along the beach.

3. Pizza is my favorite weekend treat.

4. Walking to school is an option for some.

Dependent Clauses:

1. Since the bus arrived on time

2. After Jason and Mary walked along the beach

3. Although pizza is my favorite weekend treat

4. If walking to school is an option for some

Complex Sentences:

A complex sentence is made up of both an independent clause (also called a simple sentence) AND a dependent clause that can not stand by itself.

Examples of Complex Sentences

1. The children were not late to school since the bus arrived on time.

2. After Jason and Mary walked along the beach, they went to dinner.

3. Although pizza is my favorite weekend treat, I also like chicken wings.

4. The bus may not be so crowded if walking to school is an option for some.

Remember FANBOYS(Coordinating Conjunction)

Create Compound Sentences...

Joan and Anna went to the store , BUT they forgot to buy the cookies.FANBOYS

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

Notice that both sentences 1 and 2 have a subject and predicate.

Use a subordinating conjunctionto create a complex sentence

The children were not late to schoolSINCEthe bus arrived on time.

Subordinating Conjunction

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

A As

S Since

I If

B Before

B Because

UntilU

W While

A After

A Although

W When

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

after although as as if as long as

as though

because

before even if even though

if if only

in order that

now that once rather than

since so that

than that though till unless until

when whenever

where whereas wherever

while

Dependent or Independent Clause?

1. We'll go to the store after school today.INDEPENDENT

2. Because the snow storm dropped two feet of snow!DEPENDENT

3. When she went to the cafeteria for lunch.DEPENDENT

4. Karen can take her homework on the bus with her.INDEPENDENT

5. If the teacher says yes.DEPENDENT

Work with Complex SentencesDecide which part of the sentence is dependent and which is independent. Then drag the box to see if you are correct.

1. While waiting for the bus to arrive, Laura thought about the homework she forgot to do.DEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT

2. Christmas is our family's favorite time of year, although Easter is a very close second.INDEPENDENT

DEPENDENT 3. I couldn't believe she won since she had been sick all last week.

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT

4. Jared walked to school alone because he missed the bus this morning.INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT

5. If you want to move to 5th grade, you need to make sure you do your best in fourth grade.DEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT

6. Before you leave for school each morning you should eat breakfast and brush your teeth.DEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT

7. Katie could not wait until the end of the day when she could go home with her best friend.INDEPENDENT

DEPENDENT

8. After he ate an entire half gallon of ice cream, Patrick felt like he would explode!DEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT

Compound and Complex Sentences

The musician played gracefully, and the audience listened respectfully.

Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.

COMPLEXCOMPOUND

I watched intently as the circus clowns tumbled around the ring.

Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.

COMPOUNDCOMPLEX

As the boat pulled away from the pier, I knew I was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.

COMPOUND COMPLEX

My favorite food is cheesecake, but my mother won't let me have it for breakfast.

Determine if the sentence is compound or complex.

COMPOUND COMPLEX

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