Take grammar lessons to the next level by introducing your class to Independent and Dependent Clauses worksheets.

When you have a group of words that form their own sentence, all by themselves, we call this an independent clause. That means that, first and foremost, it is a complete thought and that it has both a subject and a verb. If it lacks a complete thought, but still has a subject and a verb we call it a dependent clause. There are a series of words which kind of gives away that a clause is dependent. These words are called dependent markers. These words will start the clause itself. If you see a sentence begin with words such as (after, because, even though, if, once, rather than, that, until, or while) this indicates the sentence requires an independent clause be attached to it. There are also independent marker words that indicate an independent clause. Just like dependent markers their words will be at the beginning of the sentence. Some common independent marker words include also, furthermore, however, nevertheless, therefore. Some sentences will have two independent clauses, when this happens a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.

As an English teacher motivated by giving students the tools they need to become highly literate, you understand the importance dependent and independent clauses within different sentences. These worksheets from Easy Teacher encourage students to write multiple sentences at one time that use both types of clauses. By defining how dependent clauses typically connect with one or more independent clauses to form sentences, you have the right grammar tool to make your kids literary stars long before they reach high school.



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Printable Independent and Dependent Clauses Worksheets

Click the buttons to print each worksheet and answer key.

Find That Part

Underline the complete thought in each sentence.

Find the Dependent

You are looking for sentences, really groups of words, that lack a complete thought.

Developing Sentences with Dependent Clauses

You are given some thoughtless, literally, sentences. Put some thought into them and rewrite them.

Independent or Dependent?

Read each group of words. Determine the type of clause that is present and write it on the line. It if is a dependent, add an independent to create a complete sentence.

Practice More Worksheet

Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence. Lets improve our ability to identify those.

Clause Me

These are not complete sentences. make them complete by editing them.

Is it an Independent Clause?

Read each group of words. If it is a complete sentence write that. If the sentence expresses an incomplete thought, fix it by editing it and rewriting it.

Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses

Underline the dependent clause in each sentence. Write R if the clause is restrictive; write N if the clause is non-restrictive. Punctuate if necessary.

What Kind of Clause Is It?

Determine whether each set of words is an independent clause or a dependent clause. Write I or D on the line. Then add an independent or dependent clause to each set of words to complete or expand the sentence.

Completely Thought Out

Connect each of the following sentences to a related thought and help them make sense. Use and, or, but or yet.

Adverbial Clauses

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb. Find the adverbial in each sentence. Write the word it modifies on the short line and the test selection on the longer line.

What's That? Worksheet

Underline the complete text thought in each sentence.

Writing with Your Thoughts

Use each subordinate conjunction in a sentence to help it make more sense.

Identification Activity

There are a series of sentences that you need to read and breakdown to help make sense of.

Make It More Independent

Complete each sentence by adding an independent clause.