The Clause (Independent Clauses and Subordinate Clauses) Quiz

Dependent and Subordinate Clauses

An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.

EXAMPLES

The Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada opposed the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. [one independent clause]
In his paintings, Posada attacked the Díaz regime, and he made thousands of inexpensive prints of his work. [two independent clauses joined by and]
Posada’s art helped to stir the social unrest that led to the overthrow of Díaz in the revolution of 1910. [an independent clause combined with a subordinate clause]

A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence.

EXAMPLES

whoever knows the song
which always pleases my mother
as we were singing

The meaning of a subordinate clause becomes clear only when the clause is combined with an independent clause.

Whoever knows the song may join in.
We sang “We Shall Overcome,” which always pleases my mother.
As we were singing, we joined hands and formed a circle.

Like a word or a phrase, a subordinate clause can be used as an adjective, a noun, or an adverb.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE We sang “We Shall Overcome,” which always pleases my mother.
NOUN CLAUSE Whoever knows the song may join in.
ADVERB CLAUSE As we were singing, we joined hands and formed a circle.

Here is a table that summarises the different types of subordinate clauses.

Summary of Clauses

Type	Description	Example
Adjective Clause	Modifies a noun/pronoun, usually introduced by a relative pronoun/adverb, telling what kind or which one.	The report that Diego wrote was significant.
Noun Clause	Functions as a noun; used as a subject, predicate nominative, direct/indirect object, etc.	What he thinks is irrelevant.
Adverb Clause	Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, expressing how, when, where, why, etc.	She sings as if she's alone.
Elliptical Clause	Omits part of the clause when meaning is clear, often in comparative structures.	He can run faster than I (can run).

Sentence Types

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no subordinate clauses. A simple sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound verb, or both, and any number of phrases.

EXAMPLES

Great literature stirs the imagination.
Located on an island in Lake Texcoco, Tenochtitlán was the capital of the Aztec empire and may have had more than 100,000 inhabitants in the 1500s.

Compound Sentences

Compound sentences connect two independent clauses with a conjunction, semicolon, or colon. There are no subordinate clauses.

Independent clauses may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet), by a semicolon, or by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression.

EXAMPLES

In 1528, the Spanish explored the area near present-day Tampa, but Europeans did not begin settling there until 1823. [two independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction but]
We could drive to San Antonio on the freeway, or we could take back roads to get there. [two independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction or]
The Aswan High Dam is on the Nile River in Egypt; it is one of the world’s largest dams. [two independent clauses joined by a semicolon]
We should leave early; otherwise, we will miss our bus. [two independent clauses joined by a semicolon, the conjunctive adverb otherwise, and a comma]
Not all birds fly south for the winter; for instance, cardinals live in the northern states throughout the year. [two independent clauses joined by a semicolon, the transitional expression for instance, and a comma]

NOTE

Do not confuse a simple sentence that has a compound subject, a compound verb, or both, with a compound sentence.

SIMPLE SENTENCE The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo destroyed many homes and led to the closing of Clark Air Base. [This sentence contains a compound verb.]
COMPOUND SENTENCE The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo destroyed many homes, and it led to the closing of Clark Air Base. [This sentence contains two independent clauses.]

Complex Sentences

Complex sentences contain an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, connected by subordinating conjunctions. This structure is perfect for introducing depth and complexity to your writing.

EXAMPLES

Yiddish, which is a Germanic language, is now spoken by millions of people all over the world. [The independent clause is Yiddish is now spoken by millions of people all over the world. The subordinate clause is the adjective clause which is a Germanic language.]
After Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo, he was exiled to Saint Helena, where he died. [The independent clause is he was exiled to Saint Helena. One subordinate clause is the adverb clause After Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo. The adjective clause where he died is another subordinate clause.]
Whatever you can give will be very much appreciated. [The independent clause is Whatever will be very much appreciated. The subordinate clause is the noun clause Whatever you can give.]

Commonly Used Subordinating Conjunctions

Compound-Complex Sentences

A blend of compound and complex sentences, this structure allows for the expression of multiple, interrelated ideas with sophistication and nuance. A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

EXAMPLES

The interest that you pay on a car loan will increase the cost of the car, so be sure to shop for the lowest interest rate. [The two independent clauses are The interest will increase the cost of the car and be sure to shop for the lowest interest rate. The subordinate clause is the adjective clause that you pay on a car loan.]
Hong Kong had been a crown colony of Britain since 1898; however, as my teacher explained, it reverted to China when the treaty expired in 1997. [The two independent clauses are Hong Kong had been a crown colony of Britain since 1898 and it reverted to China. One subordinate clause is the adverb clause as my teacher explained. The adverb clause when the treaty expired in 1997 is another subordinate clause.]

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