Use these independent clause sample questions to practice distinguishing complete thoughts from dependent clauses, phrases, and sentence fragments. Answer each question before opening the explanation.
Directions: Select the answer choice that appears as a complete independent clause in the sentence. Do not remove a subordinating or coordinating word from an answer choice to make it independent.
Topics Covered
- Independent clauses
- Dependent clauses
- Subordinating conjunctions
- Relative clauses
- Prepositional phrases
- Compound sentences
- Imperative sentences
- Subjects and predicates
- Sentence fragments
Sample Questions
By the time he arrived at the house, the rest of the group had already left.
- A. The rest of the group had already left
- B. By the time he arrived at the house
- C. He arrived at the house
- D. The rest of the group
Show Answer
The rest of the group had already left has a subject, a complete verb, and a complete thought, so it can stand alone as a sentence.
By the time he arrived at the house is dependent because it begins with the subordinating expression by the time. Choice D is only a noun phrase.
If it is raining, you should take an umbrella.
- A. If it is raining
- B. You should take
- C. An umbrella
- D. You should take an umbrella
Show Answer
You should take an umbrella contains the subject you, the verb phrase should take, and a complete thought.
If it is raining is a dependent clause. Choice B is incomplete in this context, and Choice C is a noun phrase.
When you go to the beach, be sure to bring sunscreen.
- A. When you go
- B. Be sure to bring sunscreen
- C. To the beach
- D. When you go to the beach
Show Answer
Be sure to bring sunscreen is an imperative independent clause. Its subject, you, is understood even though it is not written.
Choices A and D begin with when and are dependent. Choice C is a prepositional phrase.
Although the store was closing, I finished my purchase.
- A. Although the store was closing
- B. The store was closing
- C. I finished my purchase
- D. My purchase
Show Answer
I finished my purchase can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Choice A is dependent because it begins with although. Choice B is grammatically complete by itself, but it is not the independent clause as it appears in the original sentence because the original clause includes although. Choice D is only a noun phrase.
This painting is a work that has endured for many centuries.
- A. This painting is a work
- B. That has endured
- C. For many centuries
- D. A work that has endured
Show Answer
This painting is a work contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
That has endured is a dependent relative clause modifying work. Choice C is a prepositional phrase, and Choice D is a noun phrase containing a dependent clause.
She is a patient teacher; her students trust her.
- A. She is a patient teacher
- B. Her students trust her
- C. Both A and B
- D. A patient teacher; her students
Show Answer
Both She is a patient teacher and her students trust her are independent clauses.
Each has its own subject and predicate and can stand alone. The semicolon correctly joins the two closely related clauses.
Because the roads were icy, the school opened late.
- A. Because the roads were icy
- B. The roads were icy
- C. The school opened late
- D. Opened late
Show Answer
The school opened late expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.
Choice A is dependent because it begins with because. Choice B omits the subordinating conjunction from the original clause, and Choice D has no stated subject.
The people in her office did not know, so she asked someone else.
- A. The people in her office
- B. She asked someone else
- C. So she asked someone else
- D. The people in her office did not know
Show Answer
The people in her office did not know has a complete subject and predicate and can stand alone.
Choice A is a noun phrase. Although she asked someone else is grammatically complete, that exact wording is not presented as a separate clause in the original sentence because it follows the coordinating conjunction so. Choice C includes that conjunction.
After the meeting ended, everyone returned to work.
- A. After the meeting ended
- B. The meeting ended
- C. Everyone returned to work
- D. To work
Show Answer
Everyone returned to work is an independent clause because it expresses a complete thought.
Choice A is dependent because it begins with after. Choice B removes the subordinating conjunction from the original clause, and Choice D is a prepositional phrase.
You will need a sketch pad and pencils before the class begins.
- A. You will need a sketch pad and pencils
- B. A sketch pad and pencils
- C. Before the class begins
- D. The class begins
Show Answer
You will need a sketch pad and pencils has a subject, a complete verb phrase, and a complete thought.
Choice B is a noun phrase. Choice C is a dependent clause introduced by before. Choice D removes the subordinating conjunction from the clause as it appears in the original sentence.
How to Identify an Independent Clause
An independent clause contains a subject and a complete predicate and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.
A dependent clause may also contain a subject and verb, but a subordinating word such as although, because, if, when, or before prevents it from standing alone. A phrase does not contain both a complete subject and predicate.